Refilling a Toothpaste Tube for Fun and Convenience
Yesterday morning, I refilled a toothpaste tube. I’m not proud, but I did it. (Well, okay, maybe I’m a little proud…)
This wasn’t really an issue of frugality (although those travel-sized toothpaste tubes are a ripoff). Rather, it was a an issue of convenience and efficiency… I was packing up to head out of town when I realized that my travel-sized toothpaste was nearly empty. Given that the TSA says you can’t carry more than 3 oz. of toothpaste on an airplane (the same goes for other gels/liquids), this just wouldn’t fly — literally.
The problem is, I was on a tight schedule, and I didn’t want to stop off at a drugstore on the way to the airport. I also didn’t want to count on the hotel on the other end providing me with toothpaste (many do, but not all of them). So as I looked down at the sink, an idea hit me…
Why not simply refill my travel toothpaste from the larger tube that we use every day? I removed the caps from both the travel-sized and regular tubes, pressed their “nozzles” tightly together and started gently squeezing the larger tube. Lo and behold, it worked great. The travel-sized tube started to fill up with virtually no leaking or mess.
I am now the proud owner of a Colgate mini-tube filled (mostly) with Crest. More importantly, I was able to do this in about 15 seconds as opposed to having to make a side trip to the drugstore.
Photo Credit: Janmi
Published on September 6th, 2007 - 18 Comments
Filed under: Frugality, Travel
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Comment by FMF — Sep 6th 2007 @ 9:53 amyou have to be kidding me… ahhahahahaha this is ridiculous
Comment by jim — Sep 6th 2007 @ 10:14 amI think you’re brilliant! Great tip!
Comment by Kim — Sep 6th 2007 @ 10:24 amHow sad is it that as I read this I keep thinking, “Wow, why didn’t I think of that?”
I haven’t refilled a tube, before, but I have gotten every last tiny bit out of the tube including resorting to using a toothpick and cutting it open. Granted, it was a very expensive tube of toothpaste that my wife and I only use once a day, but still…
Comment by Blaine Moore — Sep 6th 2007 @ 10:26 amNice tip; I didn’t think refilling a tube could be so easy. Since I travel more than a few times a year, I’ll be doing this as well.
Comment by Him — Sep 6th 2007 @ 10:56 amThat’s kind of nuts. What I do is stop using the regular sized tube when I’m down towards the end. I keep that one for travel and pull out a new tube. I realize on short notice, this stunt was your best bet, but you are darned lucky. I kind of picture a Buster Keaton/Charlie Chaplin routine with stuff dribbling out everywhere. Now that’s entertainment!
Comment by mapgirl — Sep 6th 2007 @ 11:43 amMapgirl, unfortunately, they don’t allow anything larger than a 3.2 oz container no matter how much it contains. As long as your almost empty container is less than 3.2 oz, then you are fine. If it is larger, you run the risk of being forced to toss it.
Nickel, not a bad idea.
Comment by Patrick — Sep 6th 2007 @ 8:43 pmI can’t believe there is someone else out there that does this and I can’t believe that someone hasn’t come up with a larger container that can be refilled from or an adapted that can be screwed to each tube to make it a little less messy. I’ve been refilling travel tubes for years.
Comment by Breckrider — Sep 7th 2007 @ 6:52 amI should make fun of you, but I do this regularly with my hair gel. Somehow I get plenty of small toothpaste from my dentist visits.
Be proud!
Comment by Jonathan — Sep 7th 2007 @ 7:19 amHow about not brushing you teeth on the plane and bring a full size toothpaste in your luggage? Eat gum for 10 hours won’t kill you
and you will save a lot of time! 
Comment by The Financial Blogger — Sep 7th 2007 @ 8:15 amJonathan: I should make fun of you simply based on the fact that you use hair gel.
TFB: I don’t check luggage when I fly for business. It’s really not worth waiting around to check the bags in or to pick them up at baggage claim just so I can bring a full-size toothpaste.
I’ll have to remember that. It sounds awfully tricky, though.
Comment by Mrs. Micah — Sep 7th 2007 @ 1:21 pmShhhh - don’t tell TSA
Comment by Pam — Sep 7th 2007 @ 7:05 pmDone the same thing with everything. Especially with the rigid rules now.
Comment by Livingalmostlarge — Sep 12th 2007 @ 9:28 amI hope to never be so frugal as to feel the necessity to do this, however, as a business traveler I have been in the same situation of need a 3oz or less container. I might end up trying it sometime if the situation presents itself. Most hotels will give up a free travel size of most personal hygiene products.
Comment by SavingWithMe — Sep 14th 2007 @ 9:14 amHi,
Comment by Francine — Nov 28th 2007 @ 12:30 amI found a great way to do it clean. Go to the hardware store and ask for a “sample” piece about 1 inch of 1/2inch inside diameter clear vinyl tubing. You can use it as a transfer tube. Check out and comment on my video;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tvDCl4EFdw
Francine
Honestly, my way is cleaner. Nothing escaped, and I wasn’t left with a little piece of vinyl tubing with toothpaste inside of it.
I was unpacking, refreshing and putting my suitcase out of my sight for a week when it hit me– My little thing of toothpaste was damn near empty. This would sure be a hassle come Monday when I leave again for basically a couple weeks. Then I thought about how cool would it be to have a small toothpaste tube that was refillable. Brain is instantly full of freezer bag zips and other hard to explain contraptions.
Surely I wasnt the first to think of this???
I googled it kind of hoping nothing would come up, although I figured it would. Sure enough there was what looked to be a ton of links on the subject.
After about a whole 2 seconds of research I find this site, run and try it. Works like a charm 1.8oz of toothpaste once again!! I do, however recommend blowing the empty tube up first.
Maybe I am not as smart as I think I am, but I think its pretty cool and in a small significant way it will improve my life.
Thanks Nickel!
Comment by Hawk — Feb 8th 2008 @ 5:55 pm