16 Ways To Use Nail Polish Other Than On Your Nails by Nikki S 16 Ways To Use Nail Polish Other Than On Your NailsIf you're like many women, you own at least a couple nail polish colors that you like, but rarely wear. Instead of letting those lacquers sit in your dresser untouched for months at a time, try one of these nifty DIYs.1. Thread a needle faster by running the thread over a base or top coat.Threading through the tiny eye of a needle can be tough, but applying a little nail polish to the tip of the thread makes it stiffer, and therefore simpler to push through.2. Prevent jewelry from turning your hands green.We've all bought some jewelry that was, ahem, less than high-quality — and the little green ring on your skin is the telltale sign. Hide your inexpensive secret by applying a little clear polish on the inside of your rings and bracelets, creating a barrier between the metal and your skin.3. Prevent new costume jewelry from tarnishing with clear nail polish.When air hits the metal, the metal oxidizes and changes color. Clear lacquer locks out the air, helping keep your costume jewelry looking new. Applying a touch of glossy clear polish on the metal portions of cheap or costume jewelry can keep it from losing its metallic plating and sparkle. Try a clear nail polish like Duri Miracote Fast Drying Topcoat. (Note: This will not work on already-tarnished accessories.).4. Seal envelopes with a clear top or base coat.If you hate licking envelopes, seal them easily by applying a dab of nail polish on the underside of the flap (where you would normally lick it) with clear polish.5. Keep a nail from breaking further.When you get a small tear in your nail, don't reach for the clippers right away. Instead, try this trick to repair it: snip off the corner of an unused tea bag, place it over the tear, then dab a little clear nail polish overtop to seal it. Apply your favorite nail polish color on top to hide the evidence.6. Stop your shoelaces from fraying. Going running is a great way to stay healthy, but your sneakers can look rough after a few months. Keep your shoelaces from getting frayed by dipping them into clear (or colorful, if you want to match your workout clothes) nail polish.7. Prevent a run in your stockings from getting worse with clear nail polish.You've been there: You're at work or an event and notice you have a run in your tights. To keep it from getting worse, keep a mini bottle of clear nail polish with you and paint it over the tear. As it hardens, it will help stop the run in its tracks. Simply apply a little swipe of clear nail polish at the top and bottom of the run, then let it dry.8. Prevent labels from smudging. If you have labels on your food containers, potted plants, or outdoor items like mailboxes, you can prevent them from smudging by applying a coat of clear polish over them. 9. Reset stones into jewelry. You think you got a great deal on a ring or bracelet, then bam — a stone (or three) pops out. Instead of tossing the piece, simply reset the loose stone by dabbing it with a spot of clear nail polish, then inserting it with tweezers. No messy glue required!10. Tighten a loose screw. Sure, there are lots of bargain furniture deals that look great in your home, but if you find that some of the screws keep coming undone, the stability of these pieces can be put at risk. Secure a loose screw by brushing a little clear polish over the top, then tightening it again.11. Paint your keys so that you can tell which key is for which lock.Can't keep all your keys straight? An easy way to remember which key goes with what lock is to color-code your keys. Plus, it makes your keychain look that much prettier. And don't worry, a coat or two won't interfere with your key slipping into the key hole. Apply a different color of nail polish to each key to make sure you never fumble at your door again.12. Keep your buttons intact.It's always sad when a shirt loses its button because the thread has frayed, so prevent that altogether by applying a little clear polish to keep it intact.12. Paint your regular bobby pins a vibrant color or with glitter polish to add some color to your hairstyle.13. Store your nail polish upright in a box with painted stickers on top to indicate the colors.To keep your polishes organized, paint a strip of polish on an adhesive file folder label, punch out a hole, and stick the paint sample on the top of the nail polish bottle. Repeat this for all of your polishes, set them in a box, and store them in a cool, dry place.14. Use nail polish to add a pop of color to the sole of your shoe.Use polish to paint the sole of your high heels (think: Christian Louboutin) as an easy (and cheap!) way to update them for spring. Colored opaque formulas work best since they won't reveal the true color of your sole, but you can go for highly glittered paint if you so desire too. Avoid getting paint on other parts of your shoe by placing masking tape along the edge where the shoe meets the sole, the same way you would when painting a room.Once you've covered the sole in paint with a fluffy paintbrush or an old buffing foundation brush, allow it to dry before applying a second coat. If another layer isn't needed, pull off the tape to reveal a neat polish job.15. Cover up a scratch on scuffed shoes or boots.It can be hard to find shoe polish for colorful kicks, so try finding a nail polish that matches instead. But don't rely on a bottle-to-shoe comparison, since the color can look different when it's applied. Put the hue on your nail first and give it a minute to dry to make sure it's a close-enough match to your shoes.16. Instantly change the color of costume jewelry with nail polish.If you're tired of that old statement necklace, dangling earrings, or cocktail ring, change the look it by painting the faux jewels with a pop of color, like neon green, orange, pink, or even a chic white shade to create your own DIY version of a Tom Binns Design. Simply lay the accessory flat on a paper towel or, for earrings, hold by its back in your hand, and begin to paint.