8 Incredible Alternative Uses for Nail Polish

I have a whole drawer full of nail polish in every colour and style, some of it is very very old – but being the tight wad that I am, I’m always reluctant to throw it out. Until I found out what magic they can do aside from prettifying my nails.

I decided to Google ‘Alternative Uses for Nail Polish’ and I was quite shocked at what other things I can use it for.

Change the world one polish at a time with these extraordinary alternative uses for nail polish. When in doubt, just add glitter!

1.  It will prevent rusty toilet seat screws!

Grab a bottle of old clear nail polish and gently brush the screws over so they are coated.  They will keep them dry and hence they won’t rust!

warwickeletty also recommend this to apply on the bottom of hair spray cans or similar will also stop the rust and therefore the rust rings on your vanity.

2.  Prevent Ladders in Pantihose

I have been doing this since I started wearing pantihose back at my first job!  Pantihose can be expensive, so if you see a run, dab a little clear polish on the bottom of the run and it will stop it in its tracks.  Hairspray also works a treat for this!

3.  Use Nail Polish to Kill Warts

Now I have never tried this, but apparently if you cover the entire wart (but not skin) with nail polish – it will suffocate it.  Of course this takes time so you will need to keep applying.  If anyone tried this – let us know how you go!

Shaylee64 has tried this treat and it worked wonders.

4.  Fix a Broken Nail

Now this one sounds really nifty!!  Grab an unused tea bag – open it up and get rid of the tea (or use it with a strainer – this is a frugal site!!).  Cut a tiny amount of the teabag out – enough to cover the broken part of the nail and lay it flat on the break.  Then choose the nail polish of your choice (coloured is good for this) and paint right over the top!

5.  Stop Fabric Fraying

You can paint some nail polish on the edges of most fabrics to prevent fraying (perfect for hair ribbons!)

6. Repair Tears and Chips

Apply clear nail polish for small chips on the windscreen to prevent larger tears. Thanks to Gab for this tip! Also for little chips in duco paint helmets, vehicles etc. said Natalie

Andrea has used nail polish a perfect solution to disguise chips in floor tiles and is hard wearing and doesn’t wash off.

7. Prevent Allergic Reaction 

Hannah shares her proven trick for people who are allergic to the metal on belts and the button on jeans (that touches the skin). Put clear nail polish on belt buckle or anything metal and say goodbye to allergic reaction to it!

8. Keep Jewellery Intact

“It is is also great on anything with the diamantes on them such as key rings, watches wallets etc. it stops them from falling out and protects them. i put about 3 coats on. Ive had a K key ring for 4 years used every day and have not lost one diamante,” said one user Katrina.

Try these amazing ideas and see the results yourself!

What other great alternative ideas of nail polish you know? Let us know and we will add them on the list.

Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

See Full Bio