September 9th, 2007

A better way to open a new container of soft-solid deodorant

When opening a new container of deodorant, it used to annoy me that the first one or two times I used it, it was not easy to dispense the proper amount. I like the “soft solid” type of deodorant, which pushes the white goop through tiny little holes in the top, when you twist the bottom of the container. Each time you twist it, it makes a clicking sound, and–in theory–it dispenses a consistent amount of deodorant.

deodorant opening regular way deodorant opened regular way, with goop favoring edges

However, when you first open it, it takes quite a few clicks before the deodorant actually starts coming out of the holes. When it finally starts coming out, it only comes out of the edges; nothing comes out of the center for quite a few *more* clicks. In the mean time, it’s hard to gauge how much you need, when it’s only coming out of the edges.

One day, I decided to try something new. I left the plastic seal on the top of the container, and started twisting the bottom (clicking it).

deodorant about to be opened my way, showing seal still on top

The plastic seal helped to contain the deodorant, as it tried to come out the holes on the edges. I kept on clicking it until the goop looked ready to come out the holes in the center, too. It got more and more difficult to twist, the more I clicked it, because the seal was holding it back.

deodorant being opened my way, showing seal on top and goop barely contained

By the time the deodorant was coming out of all of the holes–but still being held back by the plastic seal–the goop from the edges was starting to come out.

deodorant being opened my way, showing seal on top and goop ready to come out all the holes

When I finally removed the seal, it just took a couple clicks, and I was able to easily get the amount of deodorant that I wanted.

3 Responses to “A better way to open a new container of soft-solid deodorant”

  1. ClintJCL Says:

    Didn’t put enough deoderant on? Put on more!

    I am concerned that too much resistance could actually break the twisting mechanism.

    I’ve noticed you take umbrage with products that don’t let you get 100% of them… Might I suggest this product, it has done well for us:
    http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000087.php

  2. spugbrap Says:

    Yeah, I used to worry that the resistance would break it, too, but I’ve done this successfully 8-10 times, now, and have never had one break. The only brand I’ve tried it on is the one pictured, Old Spice Red Zone soft solid.

    Thanks for the Tube Wringer tip, I’ll have to try that, one of these days. That page says “They come in light, medium, and heavy duty versions.” — which version(s) have you used?

  3. ClintJCL Says:

    I don’t remember … $12ish?

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