5 Quick Tips For Decanting Thick Liquids Into Refillable Bottles

November 20, 2024

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I sell refillable bottles for a living, so maybe I’m a little biased on how amazing refillable shower bottles are.

But if you’re reading this, you already know they serve a real purpose. They’re the best way to keep the products you need at hand while not completely ruining your aesthetic style you worked so hard to achieve in your bathroom, laundry room or kitchen.

Refillable bottles are the solution that brings order and style to your bathroom or kitchen, reducing clutter and showcasing a coordinated look.

However, when it comes to transferring thicker products like shampoo, conditioner, or lotion, things can get a bit tricky, especially with bottles that have smaller openings.

Thick liquids don’t always pour easily, and without the right tools and know-how, you might end up with a mess and some wasted product.

Luckily, a few quick tips can make the decanting process easy and mess-free (or at least mess-minimal).

Here’s how to get even the thickest products smoothly into your refillable bottles with very little hassle.

Tip 1: Use the Bottle Pump (if it’s Equipped With One)

If your shampoo, conditioner or lotion has a pump on it, like the super large ones you can buy at a warehouse club, you can use the pump on that bottle to directly transfer liquids into your refillable bottles.

This method takes some time, patience and energy.

This is the method I use most of the time.

I don’t mind pumping that large pump over and over again while aiming it into my shampoo bottle.

Since the huge bottles come with large pumps, they dispense a larger amount of product at once than smaller bottle pumps.

It still takes some time and pumping though.

This method is good for people who like precision, don’t mind a little work and prefer not to have anything to cleanup after the transfer process is complete.

And this happens to be the quickest transfer method I’ve found for transferring conditioner.

It never gets a chance to clump up and clog the opening.

Tip 2: Warm Up Your Lotion (or Other Highly Viscous Product)

If the liquid you’re transferring is particularly thick, warming it slightly can make the process much easier.

Simply place the original container in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for about 5–10 minutes.

We’re not trying to boil our lotion, just get it flowing more easily.

The warmth helps to temporarily thin out the product’s consistency, allowing it to flow more smoothly into the refillable bottle.

This is especially useful for lotions or thick conditioners that can be stubborn to pour.

Just ensure your container is tightly sealed and don’t submerge it completely under the water to avoid water contamination.

The best way to accomplish this is to use a large glass or plastic kitchen bowl, place your conditioner bottle inside it and fill the bowel with water until it reaches the level of liquid inside your bottle.

If you fill the bowl higher than your product level line, you’ll end up floating your bottle and that won’t work as well to warm all the contents.

Tip 3: Use a Twist-on Funnel

Transferring thick liquids into refillable bottles can be messy if you’re juggling a funnel and shampoo bottle at the same time.

A twist-on funnel, like the one from Bottiful Home, solves this problem beautifully.

Designed to twist onto your refillable bottle like a cap, it stays securely in place without balancing or holding it, allowing you to use your hands to hold your shampoo bottle or pump your contents as described in Tip 1.

This means no more balancing acts or juggling experiments gone wrong trying to hold, balance, pump or squeeze all at the same time.

The slippery interior surgace of the funnel ensures thick products, like conditioners or body lotions, flow smoothly through it without clogging.

It’s an essential tool for anyone refilling bottles regularly, making the process quick, clean, and frustration-free.

Tip 4: Avoid Overfilling

One of the biggest mistakes I see when speaking with customer is attempting to fill the refillable bottle completely.

I get why they would do that.

They want to make sure to make use of all the space inside the bottle and get as much use as possible from each refill.

That’s fair.

But the problem lies in the fact that the pump enclosure and the dip tube take up some space inside the bottle.

Depending on what type of pump you have, it may take up just a little space or a lot of space. But you can tell by looking at it, that there needs to be some room to re-insert the pump after refilling.

It’s better to err on the side of less product than more unless you enjoy cleaning up overspills.

For best results, stop filling before or when your liquid line reaches the part of the bottle where it begins to decrease in size. (I call this part the shoulders of the bottle.)

Keeping this tip in mind will make your bottles easier to handle and maintain a clean, polished look.

By the way, if you like the refillable shower bottles in this pic, these are mine.

I designed them, sell them and use them in my shower (that’s my shower too).

I have three neutral color options available, and they come in either Shampoo, Conditioner, Wash bottles or just Shampoo, Conditioner bottles.

Feel free to check them out by clicking the link on the set you prefer.

Tip 5: Never Add Water to Thin out Your Products

While a little added water is probably fine, you want to avoid making this your go-to solution for transferring thick liquids.

It might seem like a good idea to add water to thick products to make them easier to pour since they are made of a high concentration of water to begin with, but this can lead to problems.

Adding water can dilute the product, reducing its effectiveness, and in some cases, it may cause the formula to separate.

This is especially true for shampoos, conditioners, and lotions that rely on specific formulations to maintain their texture and performance.

Instead, rely on other methods discussed above, like warming the product or using a twist-on funnel, to make the transfer easier.

Keeping your products in their original concentration ensures they work as intended and last longer without any unwanted changes.

Transferring Liquids Can Be Simple and Stress-Free

With these tips, transferring thick liquids into refillable bottles becomes a simple and stress-free process.

Whether you’re using a twist-on funnel for hands-free convenience, warming your products for smoother pouring, or ensuring you leave enough room to avoid overfilling, each step makes a noticeable difference.

By treating your products and bottles with care, you’ll enjoy a more organized, polished space and an easier refilling routine.

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