Do you ever wonder how much of a product, such as lotion, gets thrown away when you can no longer squeeze or pump any more out? I did. When I ran out of a bottle of lotion, I cut the thing open, and was surprised at how much clings to the sides and pools in the bottom, especially with pump mechanisms.
So when things that come in a plastic bottle, like lotion (thicker things like creams and lotions are the worst) can't be gotten out with the pump, you can do this to help reduce waste and get the most out of the product.
Make sure you keep one container at least partially full, to put the remnants in. Then cut open your almost-out lotions and use an old spoon or the like to scoop out all of the remaining lotion. A 50 cent plastic funnel helps make the job a lot easier. Then simply pour it all into the single container. I recommend doing this with same or similar kinds of lotion, so you know it will mix well, but if you don't mind mixing scents and colors and the like, then just mix it all together. I just use one kind, so it's easy for me.
And the plastic might by recyclable. If it is, I can't imagine it's any less recyclable in two pieces than in one.
I place a tube of toothpaste on a flat surface and push the back of a comb from the bottom of the tube to the opening. This pushes the last of the toothpaste to the opening. That gathers quite a bit of tooth paste. After that, I cut open the plastic tube and use my tooth brush to gather paste for brushing. Put the opened tube in a zip bag and keep using until all used. Then recycle the plastic tube. Saves quite a bit.
This is a good idea to save, but one word of caution. I make all natural soaps and lotions, so I have experience with the properties of the products. You must be careful to make a note of the date of original purchase of each bottle or jar of whatever you are going to combine. Most products of this type should be used within one year of the date of purchase.
These products have preservatives in them which will be effective for a length of time, depending on many factors. After that time, it may be unsafe to use. You may or may not be able to see mold or discoloration in the bottle, but it is best to throw out the unused portion.
Also, if you need to thin any of these, do so only with distilled water. Add a very small amount at a time and shake well or stir with a spoon you have dipped in rubbing alcohol to sanitize it. This is necessary to keep contaminating microorganisms from getting into the product, hence prolonging the time before it spoils.
I do not buy nor will I use commercial products, mostly because of the preservatives they contain. Paula
This is great Saber - I do the same thing with all my products like this, eg balance an empty HP sauce bottle( neck down) on the top of another one( neck up) an wait until all the contents transfer. I have to be careful that I don't knock them over accidentally though! -Richard
Just a quick feedback. I was doing this with handsoap and mixed to different ones together. It was ok for everyone but my youngest grandchild that lives with me. His hands almost blistered and it took me several weeks to figure out the culprit. You would think I would know better but it didn't dawn on me that two different handsoaps would be a disaster.
I just cut the tube in half, then pop the two bits together by sliding one side inside the other. It doesn't seal it completely but is enough to stop contents drying out! As mentioned, it is amazing how much is left in the tube.
Yes! This is true. But have you also noticed the companys' NEVER PUT a pump into the bottles as long as the bottles are tall. so you'll throw half of the product out and run to the store and buy more.
As consumers we have to stay one step ahead of them. They do these things to make them rich and us their money bearers. Enjoy your money you save.
drain them together let it flow into the cap taking it apart to get the max of it all 3 great ideas & I have done all 3 there is a dollar item you can get to stack one over the other to drain them or just balance them out of the way so they don't topple over -how about adding a few drops of oil to thin it out a little so draining it goes faster?
I find that heating the "empty" bottle before inverting it into the funnel and new bottle helps the lotion flow faster. I usually just put it in a bowl of hot water but the micro would work, too.
I have discovered this too!--whether it be lotion or toothpaste. I always cut the bottle or tube in two pieces and I'm amazed at what's left. I don't scrape it out, I just put the bottle or tube into a ziplock bag-saves time and doesn't dry out.
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