Spray Bottles

[Herr Kutz]

I've been doing some extensive research on spray bottles and the conclusion from most people seems to be that all of them suck. Is the best path forward to just buy one and spray-and-pray that it won't disintegrate in my hands? Anyone have recommendations for some that don't suck?

 

[herm0016]

what are you spraying?

 

[Herr Kutz]

what are you spraying?

Some of this rinse less wash mixed with water.

 

[herm0016]

we have a few of the home depot branded ones and they seem fine, no issues. used them for spraying water on our seedlings, use for cleaning solutions.

 

[BoomerD]

The cheap ones are mostly junk. I've had pretty good results with the "Zep" sprayers from Home Depot. They cost a bit more, but they last. I keep one in the water connection compartment in my motorhome filled with a strong bleach solution. The cheap ones disintegrate in less than a year. The Zep sprayers have lasted for 3+ years.

 

[randay]

Zep sprayer from home depot is one of the best ive ever used. yellow head, blue lettering on the bottle part.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Honestly, there are like multiple grades when it comes to spray bottles.

I don't recommend spending a lot of money on EMPTY spray bottles. They tend to cost $3-4 each, if you don't buy junk ones from the dollar store.

We use a lot of Windex...and those tend to be decent quality. You could always buy a few Windex bottles.....empty the contents of one of them out into a CLEAN milk jug....then save it for when the other windex bottle runs out as a refill. Then simply rinse out the Windex bottle very good (in case what you're using reacts with ammonia)....then you're set.

 

[Muse]

I have several of the ones you buy empty, maybe 5, probably 3 different brands. One's just better than the others, don't know where I got it. IMO, you need more than one of these because they just aren't something you can depend on. Sometimes the nozzle gets clogged and might clear again.

I keep water in at least two, sometimes use one for a solution of some kind. They're handy to have around. Last couple times I bought from the Truevalue Hardware up the street. One of them didn't work and I exchanged for another. IIRC, they were less than $3 apiece. I'm hopefully gonna get the Zeps recommended here some day!

I save commercial products' spray bottles instead of tossing them when they're empty. Even the little ones, say 4-8oz. I keep rubbing alcohol in a couple of those. That's real handy for a variety of things.

 

[zinfamous]

The problem with spray bottles is largely determined by what you plan to put in them. Oftentimes, it is some sort of cleaning product or other toxic bastard chemical. If a cleaning product, if home-made, you can expect to find some chemicals that like to eat away at the PS parts that usually make up the spray mechanisms in these bottles--the seals, gaskets, the interior bits of the spray nozzle.

The bottle is usually fine because they are made of PP, but it's the little bits you never see that are quickly eaten away be ethanol or other harsh, highly-concentrated alcohols that you might be using. *i think* Isopropanol is usually fine, and probably what you are more likely to find in typical cleaning agents; but in the lab we tend to use 70% EtOH for general cleaning/sterilizing of surfaces. You have to use those simple squeeze bottles with a nozzle, because they are basically one or two whole pieces of PP, and no PS junk that quickly deteriorates. That stuff will break a typical spray bottle within a week or so.

 

[Muse]

The problem with spray bottles is largely determined by what you plan to put in them. Oftentimes, it is some sort of cleaning product or other toxic bastard chemical. If a cleaning product, if home-made, you can expect to find some chemicals that like to eat away at the PS parts that usually make up the spray mechanisms in these bottles--the seals, gaskets, the interior bits of the spray nozzle.

The bottle is usually fine because they are made of PP, but it's the little bits you never see that are quickly eaten away be ethanol or other harsh, highly-concentrated alcohols that you might be using. *i think* Isopropanol is usually fine, and probably what you are more likely to find in typical cleaning agents; but in the lab we tend to use 70% EtOH for general cleaning/sterilizing of surfaces. You have to use those simple squeeze bottles with a nozzle, because they are basically one or two whole pieces of PP, and no PS junk that quickly deteriorates. That stuff will break a typical spray bottle within a week or so.

I have at least two little spray bottles that I repurposed from other use that I have been using for years with OTC 70% rubbing alcohol. AFAIK, haven't had any problems with deterioration. They are the kind that you press down from the top to get your squirt. I use for cleaning and also for my arm pits after a shower to retard body odor. I do not use antiperspirants or deoderants.

 

[zinfamous]

I have at least two little spray bottles that I repurposed from other use that I have been using for years with OTC 70% rubbing alcohol. AFAIK, haven't had any problems with deterioration. They are the kind that you press down from the top to get your squirt. I use for cleaning and also for my arm pits after a shower to retard body odor. I do not use antiperspirants or deoderants.

Isopropanol = rubbing alcohol, so not as harsh against PS. I think you're describing an atomizer-type spray bottle (the little ones often used for eyeglass cleaning). I think those have less components than the spray handle bottles. ...could be wrong, though.

but back to the alarming thing here: you spray 70% Isoprop in your arm pits every day? wtf.....(or is that a 70% dilution of the stuff that you buy OTC...which is usually no more than 30%, I think?) still: wtf?

 

[Muse]

Isopropanol = rubbing alcohol, so not as harsh against PS. I think you're describing an atomizer-type spray bottle (the little ones often used for eyeglass cleaning). I think those have less components than the spray handle bottles. ...could be wrong, though.

but back to the alarming thing here: you spray 70% Isoprop in your arm pits every day? wtf.....(or is that a 70% dilution of the stuff that you buy OTC...which is usually no more than 30%, I think?) still: wtf?

I'm just using what they sell in drug stores as 70% rubbing alcohol. Not healthy to spray on my armpits? Of course, it evaporates pretty quick... Usually I only do it after a shower, which I'm not doing every day now. Certainly, not in winter.

 

[zinfamous]

I'm just using what they sell in drug stores as 70% rubbing alcohol. Not healthy to spray on my armpits? Of course, it evaporates pretty quick... Usually I only do it after a shower, which I'm not doing every day now. Certainly, not in winter.

eh, fuck it. probably still safer than anti-perspirant. Still: your dry, dying skin.

 

[Muse]

70% Isopropyl Alcohol

First Aid Antiseptic

For Rubbing and Massaging
- - -

Guards Against Infection
Use for Rubbing, Bathing and Massaging
- -
How bad can it be for you???

 

[Micrornd]

How bad can it be for you???

How bad are eggs?
Depends on who you talk to