Nail polish does not biodegrade, even when it is thrown into the compost, which means it can end up polluting our waterways and oceans. The best way to dispose of nail polish is to take it back where you bought it from. In doing so, you will be supporting a company that supports sustainable practices. However, if you have finished with your polish or don’t have a store that will take it back, here are 35 ways to safely dispose of old nail polish.
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1)Nail Polish in the Garden
A great way to use up old, dried-out nail polish is by using it to paint your nails on stones and rocks. When dry, these can be planted in the garden and add some lovely color to your plants. Just be careful not to get any on your soil!
2)Nail Polish in the Bathroom
Nail polish remover has a strong chemical smell to be used as an air freshener or deodorizer in bathrooms and kitchens. This is especially useful when you have cooking odors like garlic and onion.
3)Nail Polish as Glue
It is not advised to use nail polish as glue, but some people do it. If the pain of applying a few coats doesn’t make you want to cry, then perhaps waiting for it to dry will be frustrating enough. Nail polish works best on a porous surface, like a stone or a rock that has been lightly sanded.
4)Crayon That’s Edible
Nail polish can be used to make crayons! It is best if the nail polish includes glitter because it will add an extra shine to your crayons. You can also use old lipsticks or used lip gloss containers instead of crayon molds to make your edible cosmetics.
5)Scented Candles
Nail polish can also be used as a scent for candles! All you have to do is melt the nail polish in its container with some wax, pour it into a mold, let it cool, and light it on fire.
6)Puffy Paint with Glitter
Make puffy paint with nail polish and glitter by mixing glue with a few drops of glittery nail polish and adding some water. Add as much glitter as you like for extra pizzaz.
7)Nail Polish Marble Painting
Take an old white plate or bowl, pour in your nail polish, and add a few drops of water. Put a piece of paper on top, and then use a marbled design to create your unique pattern.
8)Nail Polish Prints
You can make patterns using nail polish by simply drawing designs onto a piece of paper or canvas with the polished brush and leaving it to dry overnight. The next day, you can tear up the paper and frame your new design.
9)Nail Polish as a Top Coat
Sometimes, all you need is a top coat to make a plain old nail polish look much more interesting. If you don’t have one hand, you can use another polish color as a substitute. Just be careful that the polish is completely dry before applying it to your nails.
10)Nail Polish Lines
Paint alternating stripes of two different colors onto a piece of paper to create unique designs. Then take another sheet and place it on top, but make sure you leave about 1/8 inch gap between the sheets so that the lines overlap. Press around the design and carefully pull the paper apart to reveal your cool new design.
11)Nail Polish Easter Eggs
Eggs make for great canvases when you want to create works of art with nail polish. The best way is to use a piece of cardboard or thick cardstock as a base for holding your egg while you color it. Then you can use a toothpick, or a small paintbrush dipped in polish to create your designs.
12)Nail Polish for Bug Bites
If you’ve been outside and got bug bites, then this is the perfect time to whip out that old bottle of nail polish and coat those itchy red bumps with it. The strong scent of the polish irritates bug bites, so this is a great trick to try if mosquitoes are biting you.
13)Nail Polish on Stickers
Stickers can be used as canvases to create artwork with nail polish. Just dab your favorite colored polishes on some old stickers and let them dry overnight to make your custom-designed stickers.
14)Nail Polish Tattoo
If you want to make permanent nail polish tattoos, you need old nail polish and a few rubber bands. Paint on your designs, then press a rubber band over it firmly for a minimum of one minute. After that, remove the rubber band from your design, and let it dry for 24 hours.
15)Nail Polish Hair
If you want to cover up your grays or give yourself highlights, try nail polish on your hair. All you have to do is mix a few drops of hair dye with some clear nail polish in a bowl and apply the mixture to your hair. Just be warned that this might damage your hair.
16)Nail Polish on Bras
If you have trouble finding the perfect bra, try painting on some designs with nail polish. Just make sure that your bra is completely dry before trying this!
17)Crayon Nails
To create these awesome crayon nails, all you have to do is apply a clear topcoat over your nails, then color the tips with two contrasting colors of nail polish. Once that’s done, apply a clear topcoat over everything and let it dry for 15 minutes.
18)Nail Polish Makeup
If you ever run out of eyeliner or lipstick, then all you have to do is use your old nail polish as a substitute.
19)Nail Polish Hair Bows
Believe it or not, you can use nail polish to make some funky hair bows. All you have to do is take a strip of material and fold it over into a bow shape. Then put a clear topcoat on one side and let it dry for 5 minutes before applying your favorite nail polish designs on it.
20)Nail Polish Jacket
If you do not own a leather jacket but are itching to give one a try, don’t worry because all you have to do is apply a clear topcoat over the inside of your jacket and draw whatever design you want with nail polish. Just be sure that the topcoat has dried before putting on your jacket.
21)Nail Polish Banana
It turns out that you can use nail polish as a very realistic substitute for banana peels. Just apply a clear topcoat to your nails and color them with bright yellow, then grab some plastic wrap and press it down onto the nail polish for about 15 seconds. After that, carefully peel away the plastic wrap from your nails, and just like that, you have a fake banana peel.
22)Nail Polish Scarves
If you want to give yourself a scarf but don’t have one, use a piece of ribbon or any other kind of material that you can bend into a wide circle and then wrap it around your neck. Then all you have to do is use some old nail polish to create a scarf pattern on the ribbon!
23)Nail Polish Lips
To get this look, all you have to do is paint your lips with bright red lipstick, then cover them in the clear topcoat. After that, all you have to do is dip a toothpick into some dark blue or purple nail polish and draw some drips coming from your lips.
24)Nail Polish Stationery
If you want to add a little bit of color and sparkle to your stationery, then all you have to do is use nail polish! Just paint any design, shape, or letter onto the back of your envelope or the side of your pencil.
25)Nail Polish Tape
If you want to decorate the tape that you use with your packages, then paint a clear topcoat onto it and draw whatever designs you like.
26)Nail Polish Gift Wrap
If you need some unique gift wrap for all of your presents, color old wrapping paper with contrasting nail polish.
27)Nail Polish Jewellery
If you have trouble finding jewelry to match your outfit, paint on any design you want onto some old earrings or necklaces with a clear topcoat and let it dry for 15 minutes.
28)Nail Polish Ties
It turns out that you can also use nail polish to old color ties. Just apply a clear topcoat to your tie and draw whatever you want on it with nail polish!
29)Nail Polish Crayons
All you have to do to make these crayons is melt down some old crayons and then paint the wax into a candy mold with any design you want. After that, just let the wax dry in the fridge for 15 minutes before taking it out and painting any design onto it with nail polish.
30)Nail Polish Jacket
No leather jacket? No problem! You can use a clear topcoat to make your one with whatever designs you want on it. Just paint some clear topcoat onto your jacket, and after 15 minutes, you can start drawing whatever designs you want.
31)Nail Polish Coasters
To create these coasters, all you have to do is paint any design or letter that you want onto some old tiles with a clear topcoat, then let them dry for 5 minutes. After that, just put 4 coats of clear topcoat on, and you’re all set!
32)Nail Polish Mugs
If you want to make your mugs, grab some old ones that don’t work anymore and paint any design or letter onto them with a clear topcoat. After that, just put 4 coats of clear topcoat over the entire mug and let it dry for 5 minutes.
33)Nail Polish Necklace
Just grab an old necklace that you don’t wear anymore and paint any design onto it with a clear topcoat, then let the nail polish dry for 5 minutes. After that, just put 4 coats of clear topcoat over the entire necklace to seal it in.
34)Nail Polish Hat
If you want to make your hat, grab an old one that doesn’t fit and paint it with any design using a clear topcoat. Once you’ve finished coloring in the entire hat with the nail polish, let it sit for 5 minutes, and then add 4 coats of a clear topcoat.
35)Nail Polish Pens
If you need some pens but don’t have any, grab an old marker or highlighter and paint the tip with nail polish. Once you’ve finished making your pen unique, let it sit for 5 minutes, and then add 4 coats of clear topcoat to seal it in.
Conclusion
How to Dispose of Nail Polish? Let’s face it, we all have nail polish that has expired and needs to go. Whether the color is no longer trendy or you don’t like how long it takes to dry (or both!), there are many ways to dispose of your old polishes without wasting them or contributing more chemicals into our landfills! Here are 35 different ways you can use up those bottles- I bet some will surprise you! Pick a few today and make your life easier later on down the road. Happy painting!
