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Answer

I give my old polish to a client who works in the psychiatric unit at a children’s hospital. Being able to play “nail tech” is one of the activities the children get to choose from for good behavior.

Kerri Richards, Final Cut Salon (Oklahoma City)

I put them in a basket with a sign that says, “Used polish $1 a bottle. Proceeds go to a charity of your choice.” It’s nice to help out your community and it is also a tax write off.

Jodi Rowe-Gildone, Kim’s Cut n Curl (Conneaut, Ohio)

I have a bottle tipper so that I can get nearly all of the polish out of the bottle, and if there’s any left, I use my long-handled nail art brushes to get at it and use that polish for practicing nail art designs.

Tammy Chrisman, Exclusive Enhancements (Three Rivers, Mich.)

The first time I needed to clear my shelves of polish, I prepared a basket, and headed to the nearest nursing home. I do this once a year now and always pick a different home to take my basket to.

Debra Lynn Bearden, A Country Nail Place (Brownsboro, Texas)

I have a mentally handicapped sister who lives in a home with other women. I bring my old polish to them and every day they have a grooming session. This way they look good and feel better about themselves.

Susan Moore, Azaris(Boyn Beach, Fla.)

We give $1 off used polish when clients buy a new bottle. The old polish is donated to a domestic violence shelter.

Rita Ferguson, Salon Plus (Sanford, Fla.)

I let my daughter have it, mix unpopular colors to create custom colors, or if it’s thickened, I revive it a little and use it at home for my toenails.

Dawn Mellows, Xanado (Skowhegan, Maine)

I give it to retirement and nursing homes where they use it for bingo prizes. They get so excited when they see me coming and call me “the polish lady.”

Patti Gonzalez, Image Resorts Salon (Camarillo, Calif.)