Category Archives: Home Hacks

How to refill bottle dispensers without spilling

bottle-dispenser-refilling-hackHave you tried refilling your soap dispenser and most of it ended up on the kitchen counter or the floor? Now, you have to clean up the mess that you made. A funnel can prevent this from happening but the only funnel I have is at the garage still well lubed from the 10-40 synthetic oil that I used on it. So, that is not going to help me at this point.

Luckily, a chemistry hack that I learned in school years ago can help with this situation. Remember on how to use the glass stirring rod to put liquid chemicals into the beaker without splattering? You pour the liquid on the rod and guiding it into the beaker.

The same technique can be used in refilling soap, hand sanitizer and cleaning sprays that usually have a small opening and that pouring in the refill has a 50% chance failure rate. Just use the pump or spray tube as a guide and pour the refill over it. The tube will guide the refill straight into the bottle. Just be careful for the tube not to touch the sides of the opening. If you are pouring from a large gallon refill, you will need a steady hand and a controlled pour because filling it too fast can also cause a spill especially if the bottle opening is small. Steady and controlled is the key.

I used this life hack also when I pour oil in my car engine when I forgot where I placed my funnel. I used the dipstick as a guide.