30+ Useful Ways To Use Old Nail Polish Around The House

If you have lots of od nail polish lying around the house, you can actually put use to them!

Whether it’s old and clumpy or just the wrong color for this year, there are plenty of things you can still do with it.

Here are forty uses for old nail polish:

#1 Seal envelopes

Use nail polish to seal an envelope when the flap just won’t stick. Adding some polish will make sure that your letter arrives with the contents still inside.

#2 Color your heels

Have you always wanted heels with soles that added a little extra color to an outfit? Use nail polish to get that look.

#3 Color code your keys

Do all your keys look the same? Paint each one with a different color of nail polish to make them easy to identify.

#4 Stop your skin from turning green

Coat the back of costume jewelry with a layer of nail polish. It will prevent your skin from turning green and stop tarnishing as well.

necklace — Source: kissthelove via Flickr

#5 Stop stocking runs

If you see a tear starting to form in a pair of stockings, stop it in its tracks with a thin coot of clear nail polish. It’s also strong enough to make it through a few washes on the gentle cycle.

#6 Prevent food allergies

Color code silverware and dishes with nail polish. That way, you’ll know which ones are safe for family members with allergies and which ones may have been used to eat or serve potentially dangerous foods.

#7 Save your ears

If you have sensitive ears, you’ll want to do this one. Coat earring posts with clear nail polish to prevent an allergic reaction.

#8 Fix loose sunglasses

Are you at the beach with loose sunglasses and without a tiny screwdriver to save the day? Dab a little nail polish on the screws to tighten them up.

#9 Give Barbie a bikini

Does your kid leave naked dolls around the house? Give them a permanent and colorful bikini with nail polish. Now, Barbie is always ready for the pool.

#10 Make sewing easier

Do you hate trying to get the thread through a needle? Apply a tiny drop of nail polish at the end of the thread to make the process easier.

#11 Customize your phone case

Customize your phone case any way you want. Give it some life and make it a lot easier to tell apart from everyone else’s phones.

#12 Create colored bobby pins

Are you tired of he same old bobby pins? Color coordinate them with your outfits with just a little bit of nail polish.

#13 Make pretend makeup

If you have kids who are always trying to get into your makeup, create some pretend makeup for them.Use empty makeup containers and paint “makeup” on the inside using nail polish.

#14 Identify nail polish colors quickly

If you keep all your nail polish in a drawer, paint the top of each bottle so you can quickly identify which color each one is. This works regardless of if it’s old or new.

#15 Mark the perfect temperature

If you have a dial thermostat, mark the perfect temperature with a small line of nail polish. Then, you’ll never have trouble finding it again.

#16 Waterproof your address labels

If you are sending something when it’s raining, cover the label with a coat of clear nail polish. That way, the address won’t run, and your package will get to where it is going.

#17 Secure loose buttons

Are your buttons always loose? Apply nail polish to the threads in the center and it will help to secure the button more firmly in place.

#18 Find the right shower temperature quickly

Rather than freezing or burning, find the perfect shower temperature, and then mark the knob (or knobs) with nail polish. You’ll never have to suffer again.

#19 Label poison containers

Take the guesswork out of what’s beneath the sink. Label bottles of poisons and toxins with bright nail polish to warn others.

#20 Prevent rusty screws

Paint screws with a thin layer of nail polish before using them. This will prevent them from rusting, especially in the kitchen and bathroom.

#21 Fix frayed shoelaces

If you have shoelaces that are unraveling at the ends, nail polish is your solution. Paint some onto those tips and then kneed them into the perfect shape.

#22 Tighten loose screws

If you have screws that always seem to be coming loose from cabinets or other locations, nail polish is the answer. Remove the screw, cover it in a thin layer of nail polish, insert it back into where it goes, and wait for it to dry.

#23 Mark children’s items

If you have more than one kid and they are always arguing over which cup, toy, or other items belongs to them; solve the problem by labeling each thing with nail polish.

polishes — Source: mbesenyodi via Flickr

#24 Make measuring cups easy to read

Are the markings on your measuring cups fading or just difficult to read? Mark them more clearly with nail polish so there’s no second guessing.

#25 Mark buckets too

If you have a project that requires certain measurements, use nail polish to mark how high to fill your buckets or other containers. That way, you won’t need the extra step of measuring each time.

#26 Windshield chips

If you discover a chip in your windshield, fill it in with clear nail polish. This will stop it from spreading before it’s repaired.

#27 Prevent rust rings

Cover the bottom of metal containers with nail polish and quit worrying about them leaving rings behind. This works for shaving cream, paint cans, or anything else metal.

#28 Reduce salt flow

If the salt is just flowing out of your saltshaker, paint a few of the holes shut using nail polish. Now, you’ll get a reasonable amount of salt instead of a pile of it on your plate.

#29 Prevent shoe scuffs

If parts of your shoes are prone to getting scuffed, go over those areas on any new shoes with a clear coat nail polish before wearing them. It will add a layer of protection.

#30 Keep belt buckles shining

Cover your belt buckles with clear nail polish. It will help to keep the shine and prevent oxidation.

#31 Make bobby pin earrings

Get creative, paint some bobby pins, and turn them into colorful earrings. You can learn how with this tutorial.

#32 Create faux crystals

Do you love the look of crystals but all the rocks around your house are just boring gray? Create the illusion of crystals with nail polish and this tutorial.

#33 Creatively beautiful chopsticks

Color the ends of chopstick pairs so they can be easily matched. It will also add a little extra color to your kitchen.

#34 DIY decorations

Create beautiful butterflies, flowers, and more with wire, nail polish, and just a few other items. You can find the instructions here.

#35 Give earrings a makeover

Are your earrings boring? Add new designs and color to them with nail polish.

#36 Marbles paper art

Do you need something to decorate the walls? Make marbled paper art with nail polish. You can find the tutorial here.

#37 Make a statement necklace

Create a statement necklace with colors that match your mood. Here’s a tutorial on how to get started.

#38 Create a beautiful butterfly

Create a translucent and beautifully decorated butterfly with an old soda bottle and nail polish. The instructions can be found in this tutorial.

#39 A marbleized washer necklace

Do you need something new to wear? Create a marbleized washer necklace with ease. Here’s the tutorial.

#40 Creative coffee mugs

The marbleized look can be done with coffee mugs as well. Add a little extra life to your morning beverage by creating beautiful designs. The tutorial can be found here.