How can I reuse or recycle unwanted deodorant and body lotions?
Deodorant bottles were one of the first things we featured on the site but Julie has a bit of a spin on that suggestions:
Could you help me with what I could possibly do with toiletries such as deodorant, body lotion that have either not been used or of they have only once. These have either irritated the skin or just don’t like them now.
It seems such a waste to throw them away, so I would welcome any ideas of organisations that might benefit from them.
I’ve had the irritating the skin problem with some deodorants too and now they’re sitting in the bathroom cupboard until the day I, I don’t know, develop leather-like lizard skin that can’t be irritated by anything in a roll-top bottle.
I suspect like with old cosmetics and unused but not required sanitary towels/tampons one answer might be a local women’s or homeless shelter – but any other suggestions?
I think I remember something about some body lotions being used as a moisturiser/softener on old leather but have no idea where I picked that up – anyone know either way?
For ones that are not all used or only used one, I would definitely put them on Freecycle. I had a mass of deoderant sprays that either came in sets or had been gifts that set my allergies off. I got rid of the lot on Freecycle within 1 day!
Donate to a charity or a shelter, its not a necessity, but some people would appreciate the offer. Womens shelters especially.
See if your friends and family would want them.
Hi Julie
You can use the body lotion for your feet as they deserve a bit of nurturing too and body lotion that you don’t use is perfect for that. it’s a bit difficult with the deodorants but you could ask your friends or work colleagues if they would like them but i think the best solution would probably be to really give them to a local homeless shelter.
The deodorant is great for your feet as well – can keep them from being stinky in the summer or whenever you go without socks in shoes.
If it’s just the odor: You might try mixing the lotions together or adding essential oils to them.
For irritations: find a friend and trade. They may have some they don’t like that you will.
Other ideas: mix lotion with sugar to make a scrub, rub into leather to soften, use on keys and locks that stick. for deodorants, you can use to dry out pimples, or even to remove leeches from skin!
When I’ve moved, I’ve put bath products in a basket and left them on the counter at my gym with “free” written on a tag. They go like hotcakes.
Please don’t donate USED personal items like this to shelters. The people there are human, too, and don’t want used toiletries. If you’ve already had your hands in them, tried them in the shower, on your underarms, or anywhre else, they are used, and can carry organisms from you to someone else. I have volunteered at shelters and generally when people donated these half-used items, they would be thrown out. Not good, I know, but you would be surprised at the things people think others might want–half-squeezed tubes of toothpaste, used lipstick, half a bottle of shampoo…the list goes on and on. When donating to shelters, please consider the health and feelings of those who need these things and give new, unopened products. Thanks!
If a container it has a ball on top, your pet can play with the ball.
Or, thread several of such balls like unusual beads, turn into earrings.
You can decorate those balls, or use them to start wrapping yarn around them.
Throw several of those balls into washing machine to improve the outcome of laundering.
Play ping pong with them!
Cut them in half and attach to your head to simulate bumps (for Halloween).
Cut out some space for the nose, paint red and be a clown.
Cut the top of the ball off and plant a seed.
Turn into Christmas ornament.
Use to mend small socks.
Roll on your body for a good massage.
Use to make round imprints in a wet concrete.
If you have to use spray deodarants and you have old ones lying around, use them as room air fresheners instead of buying expensive brands.
Check out this fantastic pair of earrings for what can be done with the ball from roll deodarants, with talent they can be made very beautiful.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/naborowska/3097708263/
Choosing a body lotion for me is important because I love when my skin feels youthful and soft to the touch. I have used the Aloe & Jojoba Cream Therapy from Made from Earth for over a year. The fragrance is very light and fresh, very soft. It does not feel sticky or wet and gooey. It absorbs nicely and quickly and makes your skin feel soft very quickly. It does not have any alcohol (its chemical free) because it has never burned my skin, even when I used it after I got a really bad sunburn from laying our by our pool.
I have yet to find a small bottle to carry around with me so I poured some into a little bottle a bought. I am that addicted. Hopefully they will either make a small handsized one soon.
For deodorant if you get bitten by a bug apply it to the bite to relieve itchyness. If you have stinky feet apply it to your feet. Use it to dry out pimples.
What can you say about the deodorant case itself? I use a lot of bar deodorant and don’t know how to reuse them. Any ideas?
RE: Donating: Most shelters etc DO NOT re-distribute used/opened products for both hygenic & liability reasons; but they do love hotel soaps, product samples etc, (and food/product coupons) as well! However many poor & homeless people aren’t so choosy, so I (casually/clandestinely) leave unwanted products/clothing etc at/near where they shop, hang-out, eat, bathe & bed down… outside the dollar stores and ‘popular’ dumpsters etc. These donations ALWAYS disappear within minutes, if not seconds!!!
ATTN: Soap Makers!!!
My skin suffocates under body lotions; so after buying/trying/being gifted numerous expensive brands this winter, I’m going to experiment to see if I can re-cycle them into hand/bath soaps! I’m wondering if any soapmakers have tried this, and/or might have some tips/tricks to share?