How to Reuse an Old Bottle of Nail Polish

Last Updated: September 24, 2020 References

When you reach the end of the nail polish bottle, give pause before tossing it out. There is still more you can do with it yet!

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

Eking Out Final Dried Bits of Nail Polish

1
Add a few drops of nail polish thinner to the bottle. Put the lid back on firmly.^{[1]
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2
Give the bottle a good shake. The nail polish thinner will help to release any congealed nail polish, making it usable again.^{[2]
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3
Use as usual, until it's all gone.

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:

Cleaning Out an Old Bottle of Nail Polish

1
Work over a surface where it's okay to make stains. One good way is to line a counter with several layers of newspaper and work over an old ice cream container placed on this paper surface.
- See Warnings below for ventilation and proper disposal.
2
Tip the bottle over to empty out any nail polish that will come out on its own. Tip into a lidded container ready for proper disposal.
- This step may not be applicable, if so, simply skip to the next step.
3
Add a few drops of nail polish thinner or paint thinner in the bottle if there are dried-up remnants of nail polish. Swish it about and dispose of the remains in a lidded container that you can dispose of properly. Don't wash it down the drain, as these contents may harm the environment.
- If you find there are dried-on blobs of polish that stubbornly resist removal, add nail polish thinner to cover, then soak for about five minutes. Then use a toothpick to pick off the stuck-on polish.
4
Add some acetone to finish cleaning out all polish residue. Add the lid on tightly. Shake this around for about a minute, to lift off any remains and pick up the last of the nail polish. This will also clean the brush. Tip into the container, then dispose of the container properly.^{[3]
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5
Allow to dry fully. Then rinse out with soapy water.
6
Allow to dry fully again. Once dried, it's ready for repurposing.
7
Clean the brush as you clean the bottle if you need it. It might be already cleaned with the bottle but may need additional cleaning upon closer inspection. Allow to fully dry before reusing.^{[4]
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- Only use non-toxic cleaners on the brush if the brush is to be reused on your body, although even if it's just for craft use, non-toxic is a good idea.
- If you don't need the brush but you do need the lid, such as for one of the storage options, simply snap the brush off at the highest point possible and dispose of it.

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

Turning the Bottle into a Mini Vase

1
Clean the bottle. See the cleaning method of the article for this. Remove the lid completely, as it is not needed for this project.
2
Decorate the bottle. Use nail polish from other bottles to paint pretty designs onto the bottle. For example, flowers, stripes, patterns, etc. Allow to dry.
3
Decide whether you'd like to add other features too. For example, you might stick on small artificial gems, beads or sequins.
4
Use. The tiny vase can be used to hold a small bunch of dried flowers or leaves, or it could hold incense sticks, or anything long and skinny that you find decorative.

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

Making Your Own Nail Polish

1
Clean the bottle. See the cleaning method for this. Keep the brush applicator intact.^{[5]
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2
Start experimenting with making your own nail polish colors. Choose eyeshadow colors that you think would be interesting when combined with nail polish colors. Choose one eyeshadow to one nail polish to begin with.^{[6]
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- Alternatively, choose clear nail polish if you just want the eyeshadow color.
3
Start adding drops of nail polish and small amounts of powdered or crushed eyeshadow to the cleaned bottle.^{[7]
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4
Shake the bottle to combine the colors and items.
- If you like what you see, continue adding the colors in the same ratio, so as to make enough for continued use.
- If you don't like the colors, either abandon this combination (clean the bottle again), or adjust the ratios.
5
Keep experimenting. Making your own nail polish colors can be a lot of fun and will have people asking you where you get your colors from.

Method 5

Method 5 of 6:

Using the Bottle for Makeup or Travel

1
Clean the bottle. See the cleaning method for this. Decide whether or not keeping the brush is useful by the end use you're seeking.
2
Use the bottle to keep loose makeup in. If makeup is powdery or liquid in nature, it may be suitable for storing in the bottle. This can be helpful if you have broken a container or if you only need a small amount to take with you to work or college.
3
Use the bottle to keep cosmetics in when traveling. You can add shampoo, conditioner, makeup, etc. to the little bottle for short travel trips. Even liquid detergent for washing your delicates could be stored in the bottle.
- Use it for taking nail polish remover with you when you travel. Just be sure to screw the lid on very tightly.

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

Storing Craft Items

The great thing about this method is that you can easily see what is stored inside the bottle, making craft work easier.

1
Clean the bottle. See the cleaning method for this.
2
Decide which craft items would benefit from being kept in a small storage container. Some suggestions include: Glitter, sequins, seed or tiny beads, small buttons, tiny modeling items, etc. Simply fill the bottle with these items, then attach the lid (with the brush snapped off). When you need the little items or glitter, they'll be very easy to locate and use.
3
Reuse the bottle as a glue dispenser. If you're tired of tipping up the huge bottle of craft glue every time, siphon some into the little glass bottle. Use the brush applicator in the lid to apply glue to your craft projects with ease.
4
Keep hobby or modeling paints inside the nail polish bottle. This makes it easy to mix colors too and keep the mixed color longer.

Community Q&A

Question

How can you clean out the bottle after you put makeup inside of it?

Community Answer

You can use liquid makeup remover and a tiny baby bottle brush or a pipe cleaner, or you can just pour the remover into it and shake it until the makeup is diluted. Then just wash it and you're done.
Question

How do I make glitter polish?

Community Answer

Take some glitter of your choice and apply it to transparent gel. Mix well until the mixture is as smooth as regular nail polish. Then apply to your nails. Wait for twenty minutes for best results.
Question

How do I remove printed labels from the outside of the nail polish bottle?

Community Answer

Fill your sink with hot water, a few squirts of dish soap, and a few cups of vinegar. Let the nail polish bottle soak in there for a few minutes and the label should peel right off.

Warnings

Always work in a well-ventilated area when handling chemicals such as nail polish thinner and acetone.

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Helpful 18 Not Helpful 1
Never use old nail polish bottles for food or drink. The residue from the nail polish cannot be guaranteed to be fully removed.

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Do not tip the contents of the nail polish container or the cleaning agents down the drain.

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Disposal of nail polish and nail polish bottles is subject to waste management rules, as the contents are as problematic for the environment as paint. Therefore, in many places, nail polish is considered household hazardous waste.^{[8]
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Research source} Contact your local waste management department to find out what method of disposal is preferred (in the USA, this will usually consist of dropping it off to those handling household hazardous waste).

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