How to Rejuvenate Old Nail Polish

An old bottle of nail polish does not necessarily belong in the trash.

Over time, even if left sealed in a cool dry place, nail polish can become sticky, clumpy and unusable. It can be difficult to throw away an old bottle of nail polish, particularly if it’s one of your favorite colors. That task becomes more daunting when the color of polish is no longer manufactured. Before tossing the bottle away, try rejuvenating it to make it usable again with a few drops of paint thinner, polish remover or even clear nail polish.

Things You'll Need

• Eyedropper syringe
• Acetone-based paint thinner or nail polish remover with acetone in it
• Clear nail polish (optional)

Instructions

1. Open the bottle of old, hardened and sticky or clumpy nail polish. Set the cap aside.

2. Dip an eyedropper syringe into a small bottle of acetone-based paint thinner or nail polish remover with acetone in it. Understand that acetone thinner should give you the best results, but if you do not have any in your home and need a quick fix for your old bottle of nail polish, nail polish remover with acetone in it will work as well.

3. Place two to three drops of thinner or nail polish remover into the old nail polish. Replace the cap. Shake the polish bottle vigorously for two minutes.

4. Remove the cap and try to paint a line on a napkin or scrap paper. Paint your nails with the polish if it is now smooth and runny. Add another drop of thinner or nail polish remover and shake for an additional minute if the polish is still clumpy.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have acetone-based thinner or nail polish remover in your home and need to breathe new life into an old bottle of nail polish quickly, pour 1/4 teaspoon of clear nail polish into the old bottle of nail polish. Shake the polish vigorously for two to three minutes. Paint the rejuvenated polish onto your nails.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish