Hopeless pumps and squeeze mechanisms

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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😡

Gwyllt absolutely😉

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

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.

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 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.

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'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!

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.

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!

NonGrannyMoll

I hate "re-sealable" plastic bags. In my experience, they hardly ever are - and I hate the thought of all the salaries and materials that went into the design and manufacture of the damn things. I just cut the whole top off, fold it over a couple of times, then put an elastic band around the package. Done.

=\=\

Yes! I have often meant to bring these up on Gransnet. What is the point of them?

With a jar we sometimes tap round the edge of the lid with the back of a knife and if released the seal.

Bleach bottles are the worst.

NonGrannyMoll

Allira

knspol

Struggled to open a bottle of bleach for a couple of days, asked
younger visitors to try but no luck. In the end managed to cut the top off the bottle with some difficulty but now have to find another receptacle for it!

You need one of these! I inherited my MIL's, which is like the one with the white handle.

I'd love to know the maker's name. I had two of those in rapid succession and then gave up (bruised hands and they didn't shift the lids at all). Best thing is to rap the side of the lid sharply on something hard (I use the floor) until you hear it go click. Then the lid comes off as sweet as a nut.

The white and metal one in the second picture is Brabantia, I think.
The turquoise and grey one is Otstar.

Other makes available, I just googled jar and bottle openers.
The Brabantia one is similar to one I inherited from my MIL but the other one looks more grippy in fact.

Sorry, I seem to be monopolising this thread, but I've just thought of something else. I have a set of tools which are useful in many different situations (not just one thing made for one job). These pliers, which can be slid into two positions, will fit lots of tops that are too big to fit normal pliers. No idea whether you can still get them (it's been in my family for at least 70 years) but I wouldn't part with this little treasure for all the tea in China and India combined!

knspol

Struggled to open a bottle of bleach for a couple of days, asked
younger visitors to try but no luck. In the end managed to cut the top off the bottle with some difficulty but now have to find another receptacle for it!

Inside those child-proof lids you'll see two small sticky-out tabs. Anyone with strong steady hands can saw the tabs off carefully (I use a Stanley knife but VERY CAREFULLY!). Without them, you can re-close the bottle without it clicking immovably shut again. (Keep it out of the way of children, of course.)

I use a bar of soap and a shampoo bar. No bottles in the shower - much easier when hands are wet.

Allira

knspol

Struggled to open a bottle of bleach for a couple of days, asked
younger visitors to try but no luck. In the end managed to cut the top off the bottle with some difficulty but now have to find another receptacle for it!

You need one of these! I inherited my MIL's, which is like the one with the white handle.

I'd love to know the maker's name. I had two of those in rapid succession and then gave up (bruised hands and they didn't shift the lids at all). Best thing is to rap the side of the lid sharply on something hard (I use the floor) until you hear it go click. Then the lid comes off as sweet as a nut.

I hate "re-sealable" plastic bags. In my experience, they hardly ever are - and I hate the thought of all the salaries and materials that went into the design and manufacture of the damn things. I just cut the whole top off, fold it over a couple of times, then put an elastic band around the package. Done.

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.

Yes, my dog has Forthglade meat in a plastic container with an allegedly rip off soft plastic lid. It’s like breaking into Fort Knox trying to open it. I now use a sharp knife to pierce the lid and cut it off, then put the unused meat into a Tupperware box. It’s very annoying.