How many of you use lotion/moisturizer that comes in a pump bottle? What do you do when the pump hits the point of “no longer effectively pumping out product?”
Methods Tried
If you’re like me, you have tried or done any or all of the following:
- Rest bottle against a surface upside down when not in use. Then, twist pump off and pull out plops of product.
- Adjust the air pressure in the bottle by squeezing bottle, opening pump and quickly closing. Also, in reverse so that bottle is fully swelled. Sometimes a little pressure forces the product into the nozzle’s straw and out.
- Given up and thrown the bottle out and/or recycled.
- Started up a collection of bottles that all have the same amount of product left in them.
New Method
The last bullet leads into what I recently tried. I had three bottles of Lubriderm sitting out that had the same goodly amount of lotion left in them. I wasn’t ready to go to the store to buy a brand new one. It is absurd that combined these bottles almost equaled a brand new bottle. I hatched a plan to put off going to the store…
I got a cutting board and my husband’s Global knife, removed the pump, laid the bottle down, and cut above where the remaining lotion line was. I cut through the bottle all the way around removing the top and recycling that discarded piece. I repeated this for the other two bottles.
Then, I spooned out the remaining lotion into a Rubbermaid container as pictured below. This container is what I had on hand. Now, I can see how much was left I realize I have nearly a whole bottle left.
New Application Ideas
With the near full bottle of lotion to use, I have ideas for how to apply the lotion beyond using my hands.
I could use a cake baster. Load it with lotion and squeeze onto areas of skin.
I could use a plastic syringe in a similar manner as the cake baster. Plastic syringes are often given away at pharmacies with liquid medicine prescriptions.
I could use a paint brush or basting brush. Dip it in the Rubbermaid container of lotion and spread across the surface of the skin and then, rub in with a sponge or my hands.
And because I mentioned a sponge…I could use a sponge to apply and spread the lotion onto my skin.
Another Way to Get the Lotion Out
Don’t have a sharp knife? Try puncturing a hole in the bottom of the bottle and accessing with plastic syringe. Most pharmacies have plastic syringes on hand to give out for administering liquid medicines. An ice pick, an end of a sharp scissor blade, and/or hammering a nail into the bottom (to create the hole) would all work.
Most importantly, please practice safety when handling sharp tools. Wearing protective gear, being sober, and knowing how to use the tools are necessary. If you don’t know how to handle the tools and be safe, ask someone who does to help you.
