Hello!

Hi mums, I know I am showing my age at times, I have arthritis and generally slowing up but I am finding it more and more difficult to open some lids, caps etc.. Some laundry bottles that state squeeze at arrows and push down and screw/twist/turn in the direction of the arrow see’s me in a lather of perspiration and a look of desperation on my face. Only the other day I was having trouble getting the lid off a pressure pack can of Bosisto’s Eucalyptus Spray, this ended in giving up and asking my husband to help, and may I just state that even though he had success in the end, the start did prove challenging. Don’t get me wrong..I am all for the safety of children but I do however feel for the poor old pensioner that is gritting their teeth, flexing their muscles and pushing and turning in the direction of the arrows. Have you ever experienced trouble with opening items and do you have any hints or advice.
Love to hear your feedback. Until then I will just grimace, push, turn and try to learn.


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  • Usually I’m okay, but sometimes there are caps that seem impossible to remove.


  • Yes, I have a lot of trouble with these! I rely on my husband.


  • We bought some plastic thingys – supposed to be nonslip pads to go under dishes – they’re actually a great help for getting a grip on stubborn bottles etc.


  • OMG, there not only child proof but I think their adult proof too. I usually get hubby to open them for me.


  • I’m often struggling to open child-proof lids and even lids off jars. I often wonder how the elderly cope.


  • The squeeze at the arrows and turn are the ones that get me! If you have no kids around, you could leave the lid off some things. Eg the cooking spray doesn’t really need a lid :)


  • Yes! Some are harder than others too. I use a face washer or cloth to get a grip on the top. There have been times when I’ve been tempted to smash a bottle it’s been so frustrating!


  • They can be quite awkward at the best of times!


  • I have this problem quite often and end up getting hubby to help. Sometimes he has trouble too! lol!!!


  • I have found some of them really hard and hurt your hands. I use a cloth to open them with !


  • i have to get hubby to open jars and if you are trying to suprise hubby with dinner, you have to wait until he gets home! i have seen that there are tools to “help” people. I don’t know if they are useful. I try a tea towel and even get a fork to try to pop that seal so that i can open it. You can whack the bottom edge of the lid against the bench to help pop seal but be so careful that you don’t smash the jar. I haven’t yet….touch wood lol


  • I have trouble opening the milk lids, and my kids drink bottles


  • No advice to offer but I’m a young mum with a baby and I also have trouble with many of the child proof lids. Some of them need such a hard push down!


  • I too have trouble opening ‘child-proof’ items – the makes sure don’t think about the elderly at all. And all the gadgets that are around are really not much help. My best friend is a square of grippy plastic – it seems to help in opening bottles.


  • oh yes…all the time !! Now what i do is, i try and open it with a cotton cloth for more grip…


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