How to make childproof caps easy to open with easy tricks - My miracle baby
New and improved to include the line-the-arrows-up caps.ryzellon made a contribution.This is not for homes with young kids or places where kids visit often.I don't like childproof caps.I've tried to remove the Push Down and Turn type caps.If you attempt to cut them apart with a sharp object, it is very dangerous.I am an adult.I don't have any kids of my own.There are childproof caps in my house.I don't want to live in a world that is childproof.I figured out how to make most of them easy to open.People with arthritis can have a hard time with Childproof caps.Maybe this can help them.The total cost is less than 1 cent and the time is around 15 seconds.It doesn't need to be strong.How much does a toothpick cost?It's free if you just pick one up in a restaurant.I haven't tested this, but you might be able to do this with sand paper.Things don't work well with a curve.I know it's not high tech or creative.Even though we don't get to use cool tools orLED's, it might help some people.The Thumbtack method is very easy to use.I use it for bottles with dry ingredients.The tip of the thumbtack can get into the bottle.The second toothpick method is what I have.If you are concerned about the tip of the tack reacting with the contents, I would use it for liquids.NoahW made a video.If you have kids around, don't do this.
The caps are usually just two plastic ones.The outside one is moving.You have to squeeze the outer cap to open them.There are two ways to fix them.The Thumbtack method is the easiest.Whenever possible, I use that.The thumbtack can pierce the cap.You can use the second "Toothpick" method for liquids if you think they will react with this tiny bit of metal.It will work on metal caps.The items with metal inner caps are caustic, so I don't usually mess with them.Sometimes it's difficult to remove the outer cap from the inner cap.It's easy to hurt yourself if you have to cut it off.A cap with both plastic inner and outer caps is easy to fix.Push the thumbtack into the cap.I think a push pin will work.The flat heads are used by me.They are easy and cheap to make.
The thumbtack shouldn't be in the center.It should be close to the edge, but not right on it.Sometimes it won't catch the inner cap if it's on the edge and slips between the caps.It can be difficult to get the thumbtack through a hard plastic cap.The can of lima beans from 1978 is a good example of a hard object you could use to tap it in.I've found that twisting the thumbtack a little, while putting pressure on it, will get it through.The thumbtack could be put on the table.Push the bottle down onto the tack.It is easy to bend the thumbtack if the pressure is not even.Use three thumbtacks to keep the pressure up.Push the bottle down on them and put them evenly around the edge.It's enough to lock the caps if only one goes in.What are the worth of the thumbtack?How much is less than a penny?It takes 15 seconds.
If you're worried about the point that sticks out on the inside, there are a couple of things you can do.TheToothpick is the next technique.The tip did not come through on my sample.There is a longer point on other bottles.I tried to bend the tip over with a spoon, but it didn't work.Don't use grandma's silver.You wouldn't mind scratching a spoon.You could also use a hammer.I'm pretty sure a few of you have hammers.Carefully pull out the liner.Put the horse in the tack.Put the liner back after bending the point.If you want to use this technique on a container that holds a liquid, removing and replacing the liner is probably a good idea.It could possibly prevent the metal from reacting with liquid if you don't damage the liner.There is no easy way to remove the liner.I used a safety pin to lift the edge.The small point is not something I worry about.If you do, you can try the Toothpick technique.
It's all over.It should open quickly.Less than 1 cent is the total investment.Around 15 seconds is the total time.I thought about punching a staple through the top, but I haven't tried it.
This is another way to keep the inner and outer caps together.The cap isn't pierced and there is no tack sticking out.A small front edge is what you need to do this.I used a pick with a nutcracker.You could use a fondue fork, an olive fork or even a tine from a regular fork.I don't want anyone to get cut.It needs to be sturdy.I think I should have tried a bamboo skewer.It could be difficult to force in without the help of a device.You can experiment with it.It doesn't take much to keep them together.There is a large lip on the white cap that extends over the inner cap.It might be difficult to get under that.Make sure the caps are locked in their regular position if the space is too small.The gap will be bigger when the inner cap shifts closer to the outer cap.The first thing to do is to push your tool in between the caps.The toothpick should be inserted as far as it will go.The toothpick needs to be snapped off close to the edge.It should be enough to make them lock together.If it doesn't.At a different place, try putting in another toothpick section.That should be a lot.
There are little tabs on the side of the caps.To get the tabs past the raised locking nubs on the bottle, you have to squeeze the cap.If the bottle falls over, the liquid will leak if the caps are not partially open.The solution to this problem is usually in the medicine chest.
I use fingernail clippers to clip off the tabs.The total cost is nothing and the time is around 10 seconds.
Sometimes things like this slip under our radar and we don't realize we can do this.This type of cap can be used with or without a lock.It's time to flip it over.The inside of the bottle has a screw in it.No lock, that's it.They can be re-lockable.Some kids are coming for a visit.Don't forget to flip them over.The thumbtacks could be pulled out of the other bottles.There is no way to restore the clipped tabs.If you have to deal with a drunk, fresh toddler, be sure to lock up the mouthwash.If it wasn't designed to flip over, you could clip the locking tab off with fingernail clippers.It was simple and quick when I tried it.I've never seen a bottle that doesn't have a flip cap.I don't have to do this on over the counter purchases.I asked my pharmacy to mark my file with no childproof caps.Sometimes they forget, but usually they put on a cap that doesn't have any locking mechanisms, or use this type of bottle.When you get a new bottle of the same stuff, make sure the cap is still clean and in good condition.Throw out the new cap and keep the modified one.That's it.I know it's not high tech, but it might help some people.
I have an easy way to do these.It isn't pretty but it works.The locks were chewed off with pliers.The bottle locks can be done.It's not perfect, but it is a little cleaner to do the cap locks.
2 days ago
There is a broken child proof medicine bottle that uses an eyedropper as a top.The thumbtack method is not working here.Thank you for any feedback.
3 months ago
It's not as satisfying for pills and solids.You can put gummi vitamins in baggies and toss them in the pill container after cleaning it.Amazon sells containers that are not childproof.Store liquids in the fridge.Don't be lazy and forget the labels.It can be satisfying to destroy the containers to get the lid off.
4 months ago
This was amazing.Thank you so much.When you see new and improved packaging for pain medication, you know it won't work.The thumb tack worked quickly.I'm so thankful to you.
1 year ago
Thanks to this Instructable, I have been doing these for years.I have carpal tunnel and arthritis in my hands and I'm slowly losing hand strength and it's very painful to try to twist a cap while pushing or squeezing, and forget about pushing up with my thumbs.We're all very grateful that I told everyone about this Instructable and how to make their bottle opening easier.It's nice to be able to open all my items without pain.Thank you so much!
1 year ago
Thank you so much.The turn cap and push down worked because of the thumb tack.I am gobsmacked.I couldn't get into the vitamins I bought to save my life.I tried everything.I went to the internet and found your website.It is after all a Monday morning and I appreciate the help so much.!
2 years ago.
Thank you so much.I knew how to deal with the squeeze-and-turn type.After using a small flatbladed screwdriver to force it between the 2 caps of a bottle of Danish Oil, I was able to break it off with a cocktail stick.The bottle that took 2 pairs of hands, a boa constrictor tool and a lot of cursing can now be opened.
2 years ago.
Two years ago on Step 5.
Since my parents don't like computers, I made a cheat sheet showing all the tricks.I can email it to my dad and he can refer to it.I hope SF Handyman is okay with me sharing my cheat sheet.There is a full-sized image link.
2 years ago.
I signed up to thank you for the "push down and turn" remedy.I tried to remove the bloody cap of my oil, but it didn't work.
Two years ago on Step 3.
This doesn't help.How do I get the darned thing open in the first place?I broke the locks on the outer cap by using a flat screwdriver, because I was worried about breaking it.I got it open after over an hour of trying.I went around on the inside between the two caps and destroyed all the locks.It works now.Finally.If a person cannot get the lid off in the first place, they can't follow any of your other tips.
Four years ago.
The Walmart Push & Turn prescription caps do not open well using the thumbtack method since the caps are actually one piece of molded plastic made to look like there are inner and outer lids put together.Is there a way to defeat these caps?
3 years ago
Four years ago.
5 years ago.
5 years ago.
Thank you for this!I have carpal tunnel, and I can't open the pain killers.
5 years ago.
My way works for both pills and liquids and doesn't compromise the lid in any way so no chance of spoiling or leaking and can be reversed if needed.
5 years ago.
If anyone is interested, there is a simple no effort method with a screwdriver and candle.It works every time and requires no force other than taking the top off once and can be done with the cap on glass and metal.