Nail polish remover can do quite a few things besides clean your nails. Do any of these uses surprise you?

Nail polish remover solution most commonly contains acetone, which is a potent solvent that effectively removes nail polish but is also harsh on the skin, nails and nose. Instead of using it to change nail colors, consider using up the bottle you already have on other household items, mostly to clean, shine, and sanitize. Hand in the brittle nails for something more delicate by switching to acetone-free nail polish. And in the meantime, from making your keyboard beautiful again to disinfecting razor blades, benefit from these ten unusual ways to use nail polish remover.

1. Remove China Stains

If you’re expecting company and want to remove any unwanted stains from your best china, reach for nail polish remover. Lightly dab the stained surface with acetone on a cloth, and then wash with soap and dry. Be careful not to scrub the china too hard, as it will compromise the painted surface.

2. Shine Shoes

Get rid of the grub on your leather shoes with a paper towel or cloth dipped in nail polish remover. Dab the stain until it goes away. Afterwards, use a wet cloth to wipe away any leftover residue.

3. Clean the Keyboard

Use an old toothbrush dipped in polish remover to clean your computer keyboard. The keys will be gleaming afterwards and, due to the solution’s ethanol content, effectively disinfected.

4. Erase Permanent Marker

Who says permanent marker is just that – permanent? If you ever get some on your hands or a surface, use nail polish remover on a cotton ball to dab the stain away.

5. Remove Stickers

If you had the foresight, you’d know not to put a sticker on glass or metal. But lo and behold, you find yourself helplessly scrubbing the glass trying to remove the sticker and sticky residue to no avail. This is where nail polish remover comes into play. Apply some to the sticker, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrape until clean.

6. Wash Off Pen Ink

It’s a classic scenario we have all experienced – a pen explodes in a shirt pocket, a purse or in the hand. Polish remover will clean pen ink right off. Because acetone is extremely powerful, be sure to only use a small amount on fabrics, making sure to dilute the polish remover with water before application.

7. Smooth Watch Faces

Acetone is capable of dissolving plastic, so it is particularly helpful when it comes to clearing scratches on your watch. Just don’t go too far with it, or else you won’t have a remaining watch face to show for it! To remove scratches, use a cotton swab to rub the surface delicately.

8. Remove Paint on Windows

A paint job can often leave remnants of paint along the edges of window glass. Nothing nail polish remover can’t tackle! Dab the paint with polish remover and let sit for a few moments before rubbing with a damp cloth.

9. Sanitize Blades

Acetone is a natural disinfectant. Dip razor blades into a polish remover solution and not only get rid of unwanted grub between the blades but also shine and sanitize them so that they last longer.

10. Loosen Glue Caps

Superglue is powerful but acetone-based polish remove makes for a tough match. When the cap of your glue bottle hardens and makes it difficult to squeeze, use a cloth dipped in polish remover to rub into the tip until the hardened glue on the cap falls off and the bottle functions properly again.

Photo Credit: Zitona, Naama, Ericnvtr, Jczart, Randomskk, DaGoaty

The post 10 Unusual Ways to Use Nail Polish Remover appeared first on EcoSalon.