Money Saving Tricks: How to Get the Last Drop of Anything

Desperately need to do a load of laundry, but all you have is an empty laundry detergent bottle? Need to brush your teeth, but your kids just used the last bit of toothpaste and threw the empty toothpaste tube on the counter? These are some of life's little everyday emergencies that crop up, fortunately there are some easy money saving, one-shot tricks that will enable you to get the last drop of anything and avert a major emergency.

Wash One More Load of Laundry

An 'empty' liquid laundry detergent bottle actually holds enough detergent to do one more load of laundry, the trick is getting the product out of the bottle. The poor bottle cap designs make it impossible to get every last drop of liquid detergent out of the bottle, so remove the cap, add a cup of water, shake the bottle, then empty into the washing machine. It's just enough detergent to wash one more load of laundry.

Get Enough Toothpaste for One More Brushing

Don't toss out that 'empty' tube of toothpaste before using this money saving trick - Fill a cup with hot tap water and place the toothpaste tube in the hot water. Let the tube sit for one minute, then squeeze the tube immediately to get out enough toothpaste for one more brushing. Enough remaining toothpaste is clinging to the insides of the empty tube for one more brushing.

One More Lotion Application

Before tossing out that empty tube of lotion, suntan lotion, hair product or any other health and beauty aid item that comes in a tube, cut the end off the tube and get one more application. Even when rolling the tube up and squeezing out what you think is every last drop of the product, one more application is still clinging to the inside of the tube. Cut the bottom off with scissors and scoop the remaining product out with fingertips.

Condiments are Good To The Last Drop

When one more squeeze of mustard, ketchup or BBQ sauce is desired, but the bottle is 'empty', pour two teaspoons full of white vinegar into the condiment bottle and shake. The vinegar is already an ingredient in the condiments, adding a little more will give that one last squeeze without changing the condiment flavor.

Get Every Last Drop Of Ink Out Of Printer Cartridge

When the printer is reporting 'low ink' status or the printer is spitting out blank paper, get one last printed sheet by getting the last drop of ink out of the printer cartridge by using a hair dryer. Remove ink cartridge, turn the hair dryer on high and point it at the ink cartridge until it becomes hot. Replace cartridge and continue printing. Ink becomes dry and clogged in the cartridges and the heat will soften the ink and let it flow freely for one final printing task.