Saturday, March 5, 2016

How to Get Every Last Bit of Lotion Out of the Bottle!

Are you tired of wasting money because you can't get every last bit of your lotion out of the bottle it was packaged in? Do you find it frustrating to have to bang the bottle against your palm, hoping to use up the rest of the product that the pump dispenser can't pull up?

I've never been able to solve the problem of wasting the dredges of my lotions - until last week!



While getting ready to fly to Houston last week, I needed to refill my travel-sized jar with my
facial lotion. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough left in the bottle for the pump to work effectively. Of course, it was too late to go to town, and I was leaving too early on the morning to do any shopping. I could have just used the hotel lotion - but I prefer my Aveeno moisturizer as it is oil and scent-free, absorbs well, and offers some SPF protection.


I didn't want to have to buy a full-sized lotion bottle during my trip because it would exceed the liquid airplane allowance and I was traveling with just a carry-on. So, I was really motivated to get what was left in the bottle into my little travel jar!

I tried my usual method of turning the bottle upside-down and banging it against my palm. No luck. The thick lotion stuck firmly to the walls of the bottle.

They say "necessity is the mother of invention." I wandered into the kitchen to look for something to scrap the bottle out with. All of my rubber spatulas were too big to fit into the neck of the bottle. A regular knife wouldn't have been able to efficiently scrape the walls of the bottle. But then, I realized I had just the perfect tool right in my kitchen drawer! A skinny metal spatula.


I use this flat spatula mostly for icing cakes, but it was the perfect length, width, and flexibility for this task. 


Inserting the spatula into the bottle, I was able to quickly scrape the sides of the bottle almost clean, and the remnants of lotion were the perfect amount to fill my travel jar. 


No more wasted lotion for me! I hope you find this tip helpful as well.


Be sure to stop by next week, to read all about the reason for my trip to Texas and our hotel in Houston. (This last photo provides a clue about where we stayed!)


This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!


In the spirit of full disclosure, this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of them, the price you pay will not be affected but I may receive some small compensation. All opinions expressed, however, are entirely honest and my own.

20 comments :

  1. Great idea! Cosmetics are so expensive these days, I hate to waste any of them.

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    Replies
    1. We paid for it all - we might as well use it up, right?!

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  2. Oh how very clever, Susan! I love Aveeno lotion as well and currently have a nearly empty bottle that I've been slapping to get the last of the lotion. No more! I'm resorting to your method. Love that you included photos!

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  3. Genius! Where have you been all my life?!

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    Replies
    1. I can't believe it took me this long to think of this!

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  4. Well done.
    I warm the bottle and unscrew the lid. Your way would be much less messy.

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    Replies
    1. I never thought to warm the bottle - sounds like another good trick though!

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  5. Great idea!! The frugal side of me LOVES this! I hate wasting what's left in bottles and am always trying to get as much as I can out. I was watching some science show the other day about how science is working on solving this problem with a special liner inside the bottles. :) Can't wait to hear about your trip!
    -Amy

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    1. It would be even better if the bottles were sold with this problem solved Amy. My post about my trip will be published tomorrow :)

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  6. I get a sharp pair of scissors and cut the bottles and tubes through the middle, then use a butter knife to scrape out both ends into a screw cap container. You get that last little bit when the bottle is halved because you have two large openings. I've done it for years, even with toothpaste. Stuff is just too expensive to waste and I buy the cheap lotions etc from the supermarket.

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    Replies
    1. Good idea - although then I might have to refer to my first aid post from a few weeks ago ... because I've been known to cut myself with scissors!

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  7. Thanks for the tip!! I totally need this...I threw away too bottles YESTERDAY!! I could have totally gotten more out of them!! Boooo

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    Replies
    1. Sorry I was too late posting this info to help you out ... next time!

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  8. Yay, YOU! I hate wasting lotion or toothpaste. Now that I have a trick for the lotion problem, could you work on the toothpaste issue?

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    Replies
    1. See River's comment above - for help with the toothpaste issue!

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  9. I hate wasting those last bits too, so annoying! Especially when they product is expensive. Great tip!

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  10. A great tip Susan! I hate throwing those bottles in knowing there is so much left inside.

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