It comes in a rather hard, not very pliable tube, which makes it extremely difficult to push the dregs out (the way you can with toothpaste, for example). Last night, I was hitting the open tube into my palm to use gravity to force the last of the moisturizer out. After a couple of small dollops flew out, I was ready to give up, throw the tube out, and open up a new one. But then I thought about the cost per ounce and kept pounding.
But I wondered:
How hard do most people work to get the last of something out of a container?
How many people actually think about the pennies they're saving as they scrape the bottom of a jar or squish a tube?
And is the manufacturer counting on people not being able to get the last half-ounce of moisturizer out, thereby maximizing their profits?
I have to admit that I'll work hard to get the very last of something that's not perishable, but when it comes to food, I rarely scrape a jar until it's totally empty - I can't help but feel that the residue just isn't fresh!
What about you?
11 comments:
I have the same problem with Lubriderm's pump bottles of lotion. When I can no longer get anything out using the pump, I will first dilute the lotion with some water to make it easier for the pump to get to it, then I will cut up the bottle and scrape out the fairly large amount of lotion left in the bottle. That's the annoying thing about using a pump - the stuff on the sides of the bottle is hard to get to any other way!
I think those same things as I get to the bottom of a tube or whatever container. That comes from years of working 2-3 jobs to put myself through college, having to scrimp and save, and then once I had a good career and decent money, it didn't seem like a habit to ignore.
My husband is exactly who the manufacturers are counting on--once any effort is required, he just tosses it. Arrrrgh. :)
My favorite trick is to add a tiny bit of water and swish the bottle around to get the last bits out. I do this with laundry detergent, shampoo, etc.--obviously anything that will be diluted by water anyway.
I love your frankness.
I have tried using rolling pins to squeeze the last of toothpaste out....shhhh pls don't tell anyone.
Cheers
Yes! I do this too. And I'm with you on food jars that have been open for a while.
I have to admit though, with the quantities of toiletries I have from doing the drugstore game, I am starting to let up on those items. Why struggle when I have four more waiting for me in the basement, which were free or better?
Jennifer
I have cut tubes open and scraped the remains out into a spare container to get the most of some of my costly beauty products. No shame in that.
Y'all are brilliant! I'm cutting the tube open :)
I use one of these vintage tube keys to get the last bit out of my Toms of Maine toothpaste. I found it works well for all sorts of tubes.
http://store.crabtree-evelyn.com/acc10227.html
@Suzanne - I've never seen one of those in person but it does look very handy! Thanks for the idea - I'll definitely keep an eye out for one ... or two or three :)
A very slender hair clip or barrette might work well too, or, depending on how thick the tube is, a clothespin (the kind without the spring).
Persistent frugality is something that I struggle with. Where do you draw the line?
As for your specific problem I find that if you cut the bottom off the tube and work it out from there!
@Until debt - I don't know where to draw the line. I think this is one of those times when we all have a little sensor inside that goes of when we get too close to the line.
And thanks for the cutting tip - it never would have occurred to me on my own, but it really works great!
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