Use every last drop!

[tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz]

So I'd almost finished up a tube of lip balm (in an advent from a few years ago although I've had this product on the go since summer). So I thought.

About a month ago, hating waste and wanting to get more frugal with my lotions and potions I cut the tube in half so I could use the top part as a lid IYSWIM? There was lots left so I used a clean finger to scrape out as required.

Today I've chopped both ends of the tube again to get to the extremities and there is still LOADS left!

So whatever you do, if there's a way to chop packaging up do it as otherwise you're throwing so much away!

realise I could be preaching to the converted here )

Pic so you can see how diddy the tube is!

@tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz haven't yet but would take the risk for the right product

@isthismylifenow

I have done this for years too. I currently have the clarins sample sizes cut of face cream and neck cream and I'll get a few days out of it.

If anyone has a trick to get all the double serum out of the pump bottle, please share. I even tried pliers on that and thst lid would not budge. One side finished faster than the other, and I can see it looking at me but I cannot get that last bit out.

I think I got a relative to cut off the top with specially machinery used for cars

Public service announcement: if you drop a powder/palette you can mash the bits down v fine, add a couple of drops of rubbing alcohol to reliquify, then press into shape (I use eg the end of a lipstick wrapped in a tissue if it is a small round palette), then let it dry out (takes a couple of days). It’s not quite as good as new, but its rescued and serviceable.

There will be something on YouTube that explains this much better, but the 2 key take outs are rubbing alcohol and not despairing!

No empty shampoo bottle is actually empty. Put some water in, give a good shake, you'll get more use of it.

I cut hand cream tubes, they look so cute and stumpy with their mini lids on!

Loose powder is currently giving me the rage with this. A lot of manufacturers seem to have suddenly started attaching plastic sieve/restrictor type inserts inside the pot, presumably to reduce the amount of powder spillage.

They are infuriating for two reasons; firstly you have to have multiple attempts to get enough powder out to use and secondly because it’s impossible to get the last few teaspoons of powder out without breaking off the insert.

@MorrisZapp

No empty shampoo bottle is actually empty. Put some water in, give a good shake, you'll get more use of it.

I cut hand cream tubes, they look so cute and stumpy with their mini lids on!

I do this too!

Actually, and this may border on tight , but when I "finish " things like liquid soap, shampoo, bottles of washing detergent liquid and fabric softener I fill them with warm water from the kitchen tap while running it for dishes. Gets that very last but out and cleans the bottle out ready for recycling. I'll then use that bowl of water for my dishes that aren't too dirty but aren't D/washer safe.

I put a little bit of water in an 'empty' shampoo/handwash/showergel bottle too. I usually get a few days use out of it.

I always do this. I hate products that don't let you get every last drop. I wish all of them were in tubs. One I can't get the last bit out of as it hurts is the solid deodorants. The twist up ones. Always end up wasting about half a cm each time, which is a week or so of product.

I saw something on you tube where they destroyed make up to show you how much product was left in it. A real eye opener. They ought to be forced to tell you how much product is accessible before you have to break open the packaging.

I do this with foundation and get at least another 3 weeks out of it.
Also do it it with shampoo, conditioner, laundry detergent and conditioners.
I’ve always added a bit of water to jars/tins to shake out a bit more. I think my mum and grandma used to do that as well, probably a war time tip!

So glad I'm in good company

@MorrisZapp

No empty shampoo bottle is actually empty. Put some water in, give a good shake, you'll get more use of it.

I cut hand cream tubes, they look so cute and stumpy with their mini lids on!

Exactly that

I do a lot of these things but foundation in a bottle is the one which defeats me!
Sometimes the bottle looks full with foundation all up the sides but nothing comes out and you can't get the lids off
Also, it's probably one of the most expensive things to waste

Abstract zebra my husband saws at it with a really sharp knife

I've tried trying to knock the lid off or lever it off but it starts to feel dangerous!
I suppose it's worth looking for something in a tube instead (any excuse to buy new makeup!)

Leaving containers upside down on a radiator softens it so all the lovely product clinging to the sides migrates down to the lid end.

I remember watching a video years and years ago showing how to do this with UD primer potion back

I’m a bit worried about leaving stuff on radiators since I had a plasticine incident when teaching infants! It’s rock hard straight out of the box so I took it out of the boxes and put it on the radiators on paper in my classroom for a few minutes to soften it up. Except I forgot all about it and the next morning it was a gooey mess dripping down, in and behind the radiators. Our caretaker was not best pleased!

Yes I always cut tubes open and put water in shampoo bottles. Mum who’s now in her 80s taught me - the older generation tended to be much less wasteful.