How to Save Money on Repairs with a $1.00 Item

The local dollar or discount store can be a wonderful source for saving money on many household items. Sometimes a common product can be used in creative ways to prevent wear and tear or to make repairs. A $1.00 bottle of clear fingernail polish can save the buyer much more money that than the initial investment.

Prevent fraying.

Clear nail polish can prevent fabric from fraying. Brush it on the edge of a seam that is beginning to ravel. Dip the tips of shoe laces in the bottle of polish to stiffen them up and make them easier to get through the holes. Dab a little polish on the ends of ribbon that has been cut to decorate a garment or package. Before hand sewing, brush some polish on the end of the thread and let it dry. This will make threading a needle a simpler task.

Mend tears and fill holes.

Use clear polish to temporarily patch a hole in a window screen. Fill a hole in a wood surface with polish. Let it dry, sand it down and smooth it to blend in with the surrounding wood. Stop up a hole in the ice chest or cooler with a couple of coats of polish to keep it in use for a while longer. Stop a windshield crack from spreading. Temporarily paint the end of the crack with clear nail polish to keep it from growing before you can get to the repair shop.

Protect surfaces.

Use a light coat of clear nail polish to protect a mailing label from the elements. A coat of polish can also provide a protective barrier between metal items and water. Use some polish on the bottom of a can to keep it from forming rust rings on moist surfaces. Coat costume jewelry with clear polish to help keep it from turning dark. Paint polish onto the label of a medicine bottle to keep it from smudging if it gets wet.

Adhere objects.

Clear nail polish can be used instead of glue on small lightweight objects. Seal an envelope. Stick a piece of paper onto cardboard. Repair a small piece of jewelry with a toothpick and polish. On a beaded project, hold beads in place with polish before permanently adhering them. Keep the back of tack pins on by adhering them with clear nail polish.

A little $1.00 bottle of clear nail polish can come in handy for making small repairs around the house. If there's any left, it can even be used for a manicure!