I am sure there are other threads on the subject, but for those of us that are new or somewhat new (I have only been a guest here for over half a year), let us discuss the wonderful moments of scoring free and useful UL gear.

I was inspired to create this thread after a great score today. I have been itching to get some smaller containers to hold stuff like soap, hot sauce, insect repellent, olive oil, etc. But I didn't feel like ordering stuff all the way from the US (I live in Sweden), and the camping stores in my town only have "larger" type containers. For a quick and easy overnighter or weekender, I don't need 100ml of soap. So I did the best that I could, and have been using a small hotel shampoo bottle that I would fill halfway with concentrated, biodegradable soap, for example.

I am at the mall today and pass one of those girly "101 different expensive creams and soaps" type stores. I had a brainstorm. I asked if they gave any free samples, and the lady was very happy to supply me with three different tiny containers! I could give a crap about the overpriced and over perfumed soap in them, but now I have three really nice little containers to use. One I emptied right away when I got home and filled and packed in my kit. I now have a tiny/cute jar of soap that full only weighs 12g, perfect for 1-3 days.

I am sure nearly all of us know about cat food can stoves, beer can pots, and such. But the tiny little container thing has been a thorn in my side for like half a year now, and I finally fixed it, and just wanted to share. And maybe pick up some other good tips.


Oh yeah, and you guys also take lots of tiny salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, etc. packs when you eat at fast food joints, right? And to think 10 years ago, I would pack a whole bottle of ketchup and mustard, along with an entire bottle of shampoo and a big bar of soap in a soap dish.

Good thought. The little containers are hard to find without ordering. I will give it a try. I hope I can get the smell out though.

Yeah, I know right? And if you only need like 2 or 3 of them, what is the point of ordering them, especially after this score at the mall today?

BTW, I was totally honest with the lady too. I said I just wanted the little bottles for camping, and she was fine with that. She even filled one bottle with their version of a natural, biodegradable soap. I doubt I would buy it, as it is expensive and overkill on the smell.

Getting the smell out is not so bad, I just rinse out recycled containers several times with very hot water, then let them dry out in front of an open window for a day or so and they are fine.

Little containers are easy to find if you have a Daiso store nearby. Although Daiso is called the "Japanese 100 yen store," the products cost $1.50 typically, and there are stores in North America, Europe, and elsewhere. I just purchased a bag of twelve little 6ml plastic bottles for that price. Daiso has a selection of plastic or metal bottles up to 100ml.

--B.G.--

I've had good success sourcing smaller containers at art supply stores. The bottles are 1oz and the snap cap containers are 1/2 to 5 oz. Look for them in the acrylic paint section, they're pretty cheap too, less than a dollar for most...

BPL member Michael Ray has mentioned that Baskin Robbins has some plastic spoons that are pretty durable and light. Haven't weighed the McDonald's McFlurry spoon, but I'm betting it'd work well too.

i was struggling to find any decent dropper bottles, so went to a local pharmacy & they gave me some free 5ml sample bottles of contact solution. i offered to pay... they said nah... i said schweet, thanks very much