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Help!! I cannot open this…?

(114 Posts)
Shinamae Wed 03-Nov-21 23:42:09

Does anybody know an easy way to open the cap on this mouthwash bottle? I have just spent over 10 minutes trying to open it, even using scissors which slipped and nearly gashed my hand. I give up now ?

Tizliz Thu 04-Nov-21 15:43:14

Only this week I complained to Birdseye about the packaging of their frozen peas. They have got rid of the zip so the whole packet can be recycled. They will lose me as a customer as I can neither open or reclose the new packaging, if OH is not around I just go without.

I can never open a squeeze and twist top ever, OH thinks it funny as he finds them easy.

Teacheranne Thu 04-Nov-21 13:09:47

Yammy

Thanks for the tips Hetty 58. flowers
Now I think of it I have seen a gadget somewhere maybe Lakeland to pull the ring cans.
Also remember now you say mum puncturing the lid of jars with old fashioned tin openers.
We are going to need a tool kit in the kitchen.
One tip I can pass on after finding myself in a compromising situation ie in the shower wet through no specs which were in the bedroom and I could not read which was shampoo or conditioner. I now put them back on the stand in alphabetical order. I have also gone around all spray cans and nozzles and turned the spray nozzle to the front where the label is so I can aim without my glasses.
My spice and herb racks are in alphabetical order as well!!!! My GD thinks I am a control freak.

I use a sharpie pen to write a big letter C or S on the bottles of conditioner and shampoo in the shower, large enough to see without my glasses!

fairfraise Thu 04-Nov-21 13:05:07

I always wear an old leather glove when opening cans of sardines with a ring pull. I cut the skin between thumb and forefinger and left a trail of blood that went on and on and seemed to bleed all afternoon. That happened last year and I'm still using the glove!

MayBee70 Thu 04-Nov-21 12:20:54

I often put things upside down in hot water but that usually only works with jam and honey etc

Ali08 Thu 04-Nov-21 12:00:14

MayBee70
Try putting the handle end of a teaspoon up under the rim of jars, then push or twist til you hear a pop or air being released.
This might help you.
Also rubber band around the lid to help grip it!
I have a lot of trouble with bottle lids as I just can't get a good grip.

Ali08 Thu 04-Nov-21 11:56:57

This reminded me of a child safety gate my cousin lent me when my DD was about 8 months old. I could not fathom the damned thing so I just climbed over it.
I was gobsmacked when DD walked over to it (yup, early walker) and undid the latch and walked thru. But, try as much as I could, that gate would not open for me!
I have lots of problems opening 'child safe' stuff - bleach has the same opener as the mouthwash and it takes me ages to open them. Getting worse now, too, because of arthritic finger's!!
Child safe my ass!! Lol

Shinamae Thu 04-Nov-21 11:56:05

A lot of packaging is a total nightmare, as somebody else said not a lot of thought is given for the person who is going to ATTEMPT to open it….

MissAdventure Thu 04-Nov-21 11:48:14

It's one of my pet hates in life!
One of the ladies I go to at work couldn't open a tub of icecream, and I couldn't do it either.
We ended up having to use a tin opener to cut the lid off.

MayBee70 Thu 04-Nov-21 11:36:40

I think supermarkets do actually say that they will open difficult jars or bottles for you. Problem is you don’t actually know you can’t open it till you get home. I’ve got a few jars in my larder that I’ve never been able to open and even if I could I wouldn’t eat the contents for fear that they weren’t sealed properly due to my attempts to open them. At the same time I don’t want to put them in the rubbish bin as I want to recycle the glass. So they just sit there year after year.

Shinamae Thu 04-Nov-21 10:29:06

Granmarderby10

Shinamae Although I still have a strong grip usually, sometimes my hands are not up to the task.

I have this problem with some jars and even the little disks that are under the lid on plastic milk containers.

I am sure that this is yet again another symptom of the way things are packaged to withstand the rigours of transport.No thought is given to the end user - the customer.

I think packaging was always tricky with anything that’s made in a factory i.e biscuits ? but the last 10 -15 years things have reached new heights on the difficulty and irritation scale

Pasta and rice opens too easily and tips all over the place …..you can’t win sometimes.
Some of these products are so very safe and won’t cause us any harm because we can’t open them without resorting to knives and scissors or inviting any handy individual to have a go.
A little bit ludicrous isn’t it??

??????????

Shinamae Thu 04-Nov-21 10:27:53

Calmlocket

I bought a roll of Aidapt Non Slip Fabric from amazon, just cut to the size you need, it grips well on bottles and jars making them easy to open.

Thank you, but I do have a good grip and used a towel and the grip was fine it’s just these bl***y plastic structures holding the lid on..?

Yammy Thu 04-Nov-21 10:25:43

Thanks for the tips Hetty 58. flowers
Now I think of it I have seen a gadget somewhere maybe Lakeland to pull the ring cans.
Also remember now you say mum puncturing the lid of jars with old fashioned tin openers.
We are going to need a tool kit in the kitchen.
One tip I can pass on after finding myself in a compromising situation ie in the shower wet through no specs which were in the bedroom and I could not read which was shampoo or conditioner. I now put them back on the stand in alphabetical order. I have also gone around all spray cans and nozzles and turned the spray nozzle to the front where the label is so I can aim without my glasses.
My spice and herb racks are in alphabetical order as well!!!! My GD thinks I am a control freak.

Hetty58 Thu 04-Nov-21 10:01:18

Yammy, in my kitchen, I keep a sharp awl (for punching a hole in jar tops) small scissors - and large tweezers - along with a jar/bottle opening tool. Still, I struggle with ring pulls, so must get a gadget for them!

Hetty58 Thu 04-Nov-21 09:55:07

Shinamae, my mother (in her later years) got the Co-op staff to undo the lids and tops of every single purchase before she left the till!

shysal Thu 04-Nov-21 09:52:31

I put the bottle on its side and press a knife blade onto one of the little white bits attached to the lid. I then rotate the bottle cutting each one in turn, therefore avoiding any knife slippage. If I then still can't open it I run hot water over the lid to expand it, after which I dry and open.
The most difficult one for me is my cat's tablets, as the little white bits are not visible. I have to ask the surgery staff to open it for me.

annodomini Thu 04-Nov-21 09:49:04

"I was seriously thinking of taking it down to customer service at Tesco’s and saying please can you open this!!"

Shinamae, I did just that with a bottle of bleach that defied my weakening hands. I took it down the road to Waitrose where the person at the customer service desk managed the task with great ease. I sometimes manage with my nut cracker, but the latest bottle is still waiting...

Kate1949 Thu 04-Nov-21 09:37:52

I use this mouthwash and have the same trouble. I get some nail scissors and insert them into the gaps between the cap and the ring thing that's attached to it. It works eventually. You need to mind your fingers!

Granmarderby10 Thu 04-Nov-21 09:21:30

Shinamae Although I still have a strong grip usually, sometimes my hands are not up to the task.

I have this problem with some jars and even the little disks that are under the lid on plastic milk containers.

I am sure that this is yet again another symptom of the way things are packaged to withstand the rigours of transport.No thought is given to the end user - the customer.

I think packaging was always tricky with anything that’s made in a factory i.e biscuits ? but the last 10 -15 years things have reached new heights on the difficulty and irritation scale

Pasta and rice opens too easily and tips all over the place …..you can’t win sometimes.
Some of these products are so very safe and won’t cause us any harm because we can’t open them without resorting to knives and scissors or inviting any handy individual to have a go.
A little bit ludicrous isn’t it??

Yammy Thu 04-Nov-21 09:17:24

rafichagran

Sorry nut, not nit.

I use nut crackers as well to push down the two smooth places on plastic bottles. Anyone got a tip for jars my father always gave them a sharp knock to brake the air lock but our counters are granite and I daren't.?
I also had trouble yesterday with two tins of tuns with ring pull tops ,they just would not pull and the tin was so shallow I nearly cut my hand, but ended up covered in oil instead.

Calmlocket Thu 04-Nov-21 09:08:29

I bought a roll of Aidapt Non Slip Fabric from amazon, just cut to the size you need, it grips well on bottles and jars making them easy to open.

Shinamae Thu 04-Nov-21 09:07:59

Thank you all, I have tried everything you have suggested, the door jamb didn’t work for me, couldn’t find my pliers and yes I have pushed it down press the two sides together everything I should do, and actually it is very difficult to cut through those little white plastic things that are holding the lid on it really is But after much effort and some very choice language I did manage to cut through the two main “structures “.finally my daughter in law managed to do it. What I want to know is why is easier to get into a bottle of vodka than it is to get into a bottle of mouthwash? I was seriously thinking of taking it down to customer service at Tesco’s and saying please can you open this!!

PollyTickle Thu 04-Nov-21 08:53:59

I probably own a set of nit crackers but they’re so tiny I can’t see them

Elegran Thu 04-Nov-21 08:49:52

rafichagran Surely nit crackers are too small? grin

aggie Thu 04-Nov-21 08:15:31

Some tops you have to press down and turn at the same time ?

Hetty58 Thu 04-Nov-21 08:12:56

MayBee70, I always saw through the plastic bits (with a bread knife) too. I put on my gardening gloves - as they have a really good grip finish - and that helps a lot.