Hopeless pumps and squeeze mechanisms

Another problem we all share! Standing in the shower, cold and wet, trying to get the shower gel out of the bottle!! I have now decanted mine into a large empty bottle which just needs to be tipped up.
I bought two decorative ceramic bottles from The Range. Very pretty but they are not fit for purpose because the pumps don't work. I shall put flowers in them!

I now rely on remembering to ask my daughter or any visitor to open bleach bottles, jars and other packaging. The latest was the soap dispenser. I can’t get it started.
I have to use scissors to open packs of ham or bacon, as I can’t grip the Peel Back Here tab.
I have an ancient metal gadget with is good for bottle tops. The plastic ones are useless as I can’t grip and squeeze them hard enough.

I'm quite strong but a lot of lids are almost impossible even for me! I feel very sorry for those with arthritis or stroke victims or other grip problems.

The tom sauce with those big white plastic lids where it takes a huge amount of gripping and squeezing to get it out ... I often have to lay the bottle on it's side then put my elbow on it to press and squeeze it out! Same with shampoo and conditioner!

Various twist and press medicine bottles and bleach.

As for metal lids on jars, I can't even open them with circular rubber opener so I have to take a small nail and hammer a hole in the lid and it comes off easy!

Babs03

Just have to add baking powder containers with their many toothed little lids that never come off. How do others manage this, I struggle every time.

Me too Babs03, Tesco's baking powder and bicarb are like this. This week I ended up inserted a sharp knife between the lid and container to prise the lid off - risking stabbing myself if the knife had slipped on the round surface

I find that my nutcrackers will open those press and turn bleach bottles as well as many other tops. Couldn’t do without them. I pay more for bicarb and baking powder in tins which are easier than those horrible ridged plastic tops.

I commiserate eddiecat78 and Babs03 they are hellishly difficult to open and haven’t had this problem with those containers until recently.
I will add the Birds custard powder container to this list of cruelty to the home cook.
The previously tin tub is now cardboard, so if it is inadvertently squeezed while grabbing it from the cupboard…off pops the lid and 💥! Who knew custard powder could go so far😱

I know bleach bottles and the likes of ‘Toilet Duck’ have to be difficult for young children to open, but I really struggle to open them with my arthritic fingers.

Remember it’s not us getting weaker it the packaging getting stronger

Gwyllt absolutely😉

Medicines and hazardous chemicals aside, things such as toothbrushes in impenetrable packaging and (ok sharp objects) scissors, veg peelers are packed primarily with transport in mind, not the end user us😡

Babs03

Just have to add baking powder containers with their many toothed little lids that never come off. How do others manage this, I struggle every time.

Thought that was only me. Takes me longer than making the cake.

I had to have ‘words’ with dh when he came home with a) Golden Syrup in a squeezy plastic bottle, and b) mayonnaise ditto.
He now knows, no plastic squeezy bottles! Tin or glass jar - assuming there is one. Not invariably available though, I know.

I have no problem using a can opener but most things now come with a ring pull. I can get my fingers under it to lift slightly, which younger family members struggle with, but cannot lift it further to open the tin. I have had to buy a gadget to open these.

I’ve not read this thread, but it has jinxed me! I’ve spent about 15 mins trying to get a liquid soap pump to work!
I’ve now resorted to refilling the old bottle.

I find an old fashioned nut cracker very useful when opening bottle tops. Put round the top the handles form a lever you can grasp and turn.