Don’t you hate when you break or snag a nail? It’s annoying and dangerous. Anyone who has cut their nose with a rough nail knows this. Don’t even get close to your eye, ouch! No file – no problem. I learned years ago how to care for a rough nail without a file. Call me cheap or call me clever, I don’t care. My methods work.

If you are staying in a hotel, it is easier to find an alternative to a nail file. And isn’t that when you need a file the most when you’re away from home? It’s tucked away in that nice big bathroom that you don’t have to clean. It comes in many colors and many sizes. It always works and it will not only heal rough edges but can also help reshape the nail. Shower tiles, or more specifically, the grout between the tiles are wonderful for your nails. All you need to do is rub your nail along the grout line and smooth it out again. You can take the approach from the car or take care of that inconvenience in the shower, whichever fits your timeline. Best of all, you know that the shower is cleaned daily. Of course this works in your own shower if you can’t find a file.

The other no-file approach that I find helpful is the underside of stone desks or countertops. One is wood, one is stone. Either one will work in a pinch. Usually the top of both is as smooth as glass. But the funds are a gold mine. File away. This will prevent you from getting hurt until you find a file.

Just choose clean places to file your nails. Don’t try these tricks on the subway or in the airplane bathroom. You never know what will work. Remember, you don’t need a nail file to file that nail.