Compact and convenient, nail clippers are a familiar tool in every household. Besides trimming fingernails and toenails, this handy device has some surprising alternative uses that can come in handy in our daily lives.
The Surprising Uses of Nail Clippers
The nail clipper has many surprising uses. (Image: Reddit)
The primary function of nail clippers is to cut and trim fingernails and toenails. It helps you maintain well-groomed nails, keeping them from growing too long, thereby reducing the risk of nail and surrounding skin infections. Neat and clean nails not only boost your confidence but also prevent infections caused by bacteria or fungal nail issues.
Additionally, you can take advantage of these surprising alternative uses of nail clippers:
Substitute for Small Scissors
Nail clippers can be used in place of small scissors to cut various types of threads and fishing lines with ease and precision. Especially when you need to trim a thread after sewing or cut a fishing line without a dedicated tool, the nail clippers you always carry with you will come in very handy. Thanks to their small and sharp cutting edges, they allow for quick and accurate cuts without damaging or tangling the line or thread.
Removing Stickers and Adhesive Labels
Another surprising use for nail clippers is to help remove stickers and adhesive labels from product surfaces. The pointed tip of the clippers can easily get under the edge of a sticker or label and lift it up, allowing you to peel it off quickly without using your fingernails or other tools. This is especially useful when you need to remove price tags or product labels without leaving any traces.
Turning Screws
Some nail clippers come with a built-in nail file that can be used as a small screwdriver. You can use the pointed tip of the file to turn small screws, just like you would with a regular screwdriver. If you need to tighten a screw and don’t have a screwdriver handy, the file on your nail clippers can come to the rescue.
Mosquito Coil Holder
With the warm and sunny weather, mosquitoes are becoming more prevalent, hence the need for mosquito coils in every household. While these coils usually come with a dedicated holder, if you want to burn coils in multiple rooms simultaneously, one holder might not be enough. Here’s where your nail clippers can be used as a makeshift holder.
Simply lay the clippers flat, prop up the built-in file, secure the mosquito coil at the tip of the file, and place it on a dish. Since nail clippers are typically made of stainless steel, you don’t have to worry about them catching fire.
In case the coil breaks into pieces, you can insert the broken segment into the gap of the clippers and burn it as usual, ensuring no part of the coil goes to waste.
Stripping Electrical Wires
Stripping electrical wires can be a tedious task. Some people use a lighter to burn the outer insulation and then pull it off with their fingers. While this method is quick and easy, it produces a foul smell from the melting plastic and can be uncomfortable due to the heat. Others might use scissors to cut through the outer insulation and then pull it off, but this approach risks cutting into the inner wiring if not done carefully.
Here’s where nail clippers come to the rescue. You can disassemble the clippers and use them to strip electrical wires effortlessly: Place the wire between the cutting edges, then rotate the clippers around the outer insulation and gently pull to remove the insulation without damaging the inner wiring.
Opening Packages
This surprising use for nail clippers is gaining popularity. You can utilize the pointed tip of the built-in file to cut through the tape sealing boxes and packages.
Emergency Mini Knife
In emergency situations, nail clippers can serve as a miniature knife for cutting thin materials like paper, nylon, or lightweight fabrics. While they can’t replace a real knife, they provide a temporary solution when you need to cut small items and don’t have a dedicated tool at hand.
Handy Tool for Travel and Camping
The versatility of nail clippers also shines when you’re traveling or camping. Besides maintaining well-groomed nails, you can use them for cutting wires, opening packages, removing stickers, and performing other small tasks as needed. They take up minimal space yet offer multiple benefits during your journeys.
According to VTC News
