11 Completely Unexpected Ways to Use Nail Polish Remover

If you think that nail polish remover is just for changing over manicures, then you are sorely mistaken. This common beauty tool can actually be used to improve the look of your household furnishings, clothing, and even your laptop!

Here are 11 completely unexpected ways you can use nail polish remover to make your life easier.

  1. Remove permanent marker from skin

    Have an artistic kid who has a hard time keeping their masterpieces ON the page? If so, then don’t fret! A couple swipes of nail polish remover will get rid of even the most stubborn ink stains, lickety split.

  2. Clean away bathtub grime

    Having trouble scrubbing off that disgusting “ring of filth” that may be encircling the drain of your pristine white bathtub? Instead of scouring till you drop, give yourself a break and splash some acetone on the area. After a couple of short minutes, the crud should easily wash away.

  3. Cure sticky fingers

    Anyone who works with super glue knows that the stuff can be difficult, and even painful to remove. To dissolve the sticky mess safely, pour a generous amount onto the affected area and wait at least 30 seconds for the solution to settle. Once absorbed, wiggle your stuck fingers gingerly and wash away the excess with soap and hot water. What a relief!

  4. Remove peeling lacquer from brass and copper keepsakes

    If you’re an antiquer, then we bet that you often come across old lacquer pieces that would look beautiful IF they didn’t come with a peeling exterior. To rehab these relics, simply dip a soft cloth in polish remover and wipe the area clean with warm water. With just a bit of TLC, your thrift store finds will be ready to display in no time!

  5. Maintain the color of your white laptop

    White laptops might seem sleek, but oil and dirt from the skin can leave them looking dull. To combat this, apply a very small amount of acetone to a microfiber cloth and swipe over the discolored area. If you’re left with a noxious smell, a bit of rubbing alcohol will do the trick.

  6. Eliminate unsightly stains on fine china

    Just because your grandma’s fine china is adorned with spaghetti sauce stains doesn’t mean that the keepsakes need to be relegated to storage. Simply dip a wet washcloth in a small amount of diluted nail polish remover and rub onto the stain until it magically disappears. Easy as pie!

  7. Sanitize disposable razors

    Sure, disposable razors may be convenient, but they are also known to harbor a lot of nasty germs. The best way to get rid of the gunk is to soak your shaving tool in some acetone for a few minutes before thoroughly washing it with soap and water. Doing this in between shaves can stop the build-up and even make the razor last longer.

  8. Gives new life to old, clumpy nail polish

    A good polish can cost you a pretty penny to replace, so make sure that you are getting the most out of this beauty item before you trash it. If the paint starts clumping up on you, just soak the brush in polish remover and wash away with soap and water; this will make the application of your next manicure or pedicure so much smoother.

  9. Cleans marks off of tiles

    If you’ve failed to make your house a “no shoes allowed zone”, then you most likely deal with a lot of unwanted marks on your tiles. To get rid of these unpleasant spots, dip your mop or sponge into a 50/50 nail polish-warm water mixture and clean thoroughly.

  10. Dissolve oil-based paint stains on clothing

    Just because you got a bit of paint on your jeans during your last art project doesn’t mean they’re destined for the donation bin! On fabrics that can handle a paint-thinner – light cotton and un-treated denim is usually fine – a couple dabs of diluted acetone can work wonders on even the most caked-on stains.

  11. Allow leather shoes to shine again

    Annoying scuffs can make even the most expensive leather shoes look cheap! To get these marks off of your favorite pumps, add a VERY small amount of polish remover to a cotton ball and wipe away. Once complete, treat the area with a leather moisturizer immediately.

Who knew that a dollar bin beauty item could be so versatile?! What do you think of these nail polish remover hacks? Have you tried any of these before? How do you like to use acetone?