Bottles of stuff!

[frugalone]

I hope this isn't a silly question. I really wonder about this, though.
What do you do when you encounter old bottles of shampoo, conditioner, hand lotion, etc. that you have not used in a couple years and probably won't use? For e.g., I have some shampoo and conditioner that is about half full. We don't use it anymore because we switched to more "medicinal type" shampoos that work better for me. We also buy conditioner at a salon supply that sells to the public. It's much nicer than anything I could find in Walmart.

So what do I do with these bottles? Is it OK to just dump the stuff down the drain? It's not like I want to give it to my mom or sister, and say, "Hey, do you want this old shampoo?" That's just ICK or something.

And what about the hand lotion. My friend gave me some made by a local herb grower and I just don't like it. I don't like the way it smells and I don't like the way it feels on my skin. But I feel guilty throwing it down the drain!

If this stuff wasn't opened, I might give it away to charity. But since it's open, should I throw it away and recycle the bottles?

Thanks.

[fidgiegirl]

I have had good luck doing a free ad on Craigslist for this kind of item and have had very good response. It is not icky to everyone to use an opened bottle of this type (I personally have no problem with it) and so if someone is in search of a frugal score or down enough on their luck they may be very interested. I bundled it all together and listed it and had many inquiries.

[Simpler at Fifty]

I second what FG said. Put it all in one lot, take a photo and post on craigslist. If you do not feel safe about craigslist, if anyone is having a rummage sale ask if you can put it in a free basket.

Shampoo can used to clean the shower/tub. That is a good way to use some of it up too.

[fidgiegirl]

Hey, wanted to let you know that you inspired me to part with a few prettttty empty bottles of stuff that I just don't want to finish off. I also organized the linen closet again. It's really deep, and stuff can get lost. I like to try to keep on top of it because those little toiletries really have a way of multiplying, but it had been a while since I'd given it any attention. So thanks for the little push!

[frugalone]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Did you know that conditioner supposedly makes a good shaving lotion? Have to try that.

[treehugger]

Did you know that conditioner supposedly makes a good shaving lotion? Have to try that.

That's what I do routinely. Works great, and this lets me buy an inexpensive animal-cruelty free (my personal preference) brand of conditioner at Trader Joe's to use for shaving cream. Much cheaper than either actual shaving cream from Target (which is certainly not animal cruelty free) or actual "good" shaving cream.

Re. getting rid of unwanted products. I have a group of friends that we regularly give away/share things like this. No one minds an open product, if it's something they want anyway.

Kara

[pony mom]

The liquid soaps and lotions can be left in the bathroom at your workplace. Anything is better than the industrial-type stuff most places are stocked with.

[Gardenarian]

Shampoo is just soap, put it in a soap bottle and use it up. Conditioner can be used as fabric softener. I use lotions I'm not crazy about on my feet (why I'm rubbing night-time wrinkle cream into my feet!) My neighbors and I trade things quite a bit, and that works well.

[frugalone]

I tried the "conditioner as shaving cream" thing and it does indeed work. Because it's so translucent I have trouble seeing where I have already shaved, though, and go over the same spots! LOL

I should probably take the shampoo to work and put it somewhere. Maybe someone would take it. We don't have an employee bathroom at the library, though. Maybe one of the young ladies in college would take them. Who knows?

I'm glad I was able to inspire some folks here!