TRIMMING DOWN EXPENSES ON PROJECT SUPPLIES
That’s pretty much my experience too—those big tubes always seem like a good deal until you realize you’ll never use them up before they turn into a brick. I’ve tried the screw trick, and even duct tape, but honestly, nothing really keeps the stuff fresh for long. One thing that’s helped a bit: storing the tube upright in a sealed ziplock bag in the basement (cooler temps seem to slow down the hardening). Still, it’s hit or miss.
I get what you mean about just accepting some waste. I hate it, but sometimes it’s not worth the hassle to save a couple bucks if it means fighting with dried-up caulk later. If someone does invent a reusable cartridge, I’ll be first in line... but until then, I just try to plan projects so I can use up as much as possible in one go. Not perfect, but better than tossing half-used tubes every time.
TRIMMING DOWN EXPENSES ON PROJECT SUPPLIES
I keep wondering if buying the smaller tubes is actually cheaper in the long run, even though the price per ounce is higher. Has anyone actually tracked if you end up wasting less that way? I always feel like I’m paying more up front, but maybe it balances out if you’re not tossing half a tube every time. Or is it just wishful thinking?
TRIMMING DOWN EXPENSES ON PROJECT SUPPLIES
I’ve wondered about this too, especially after moving into our place and realizing how much half-used stuff I was tossing. I tried buying the big tubes of caulk and paint at first, thinking I was being smart with the bulk savings. But honestly? By the time I got around to the next project, half of it was dried up or just gross.
It’s tough to say if the smaller tubes are actually cheaper, but at least I’m not scraping out crusty leftovers or feeling guilty about waste. Still, it bugs me paying more per ounce. Maybe it depends on how fast you go through supplies? If you’re doing projects back-to-back, maybe bigger is better... but for me, with random weekend jobs here and there, smaller seems less wasteful.
I keep thinking there’s gotta be a trick to keeping the big tubes fresh longer, but nothing’s worked for me yet. Anyone else have that problem where you find a half-used tube months later and it’s basically a rock?
TRIMMING DOWN EXPENSES ON PROJECT SUPPLIES
Man, I’ve run into this exact thing more times than I care to admit. I used to buy those contractor-sized caulk tubes thinking I was being clever, but unless you’re doing a whole house or a big reno, they just don’t get used up fast enough. I’ve tried every trick—wrapping the tip in plastic wrap, taping it up, even storing them upside down. Still end up with a rock-solid tube half the time.
Honestly, these days I just buy the smaller tubes unless I know for sure I’ll use it all in one go. It feels wasteful paying more per ounce, but at least I’m not tossing out half a tube every few months. Paint’s even worse—once that can’s been opened and sits for a while, it’s never quite the same.
I guess if you’re running projects back-to-back, bulk makes sense. But for weekend warriors like me, smaller seems less frustrating in the long run. The guilt of throwing out dried-up supplies is real... but so is the annoyance of scraping out crusty caulk.
The guilt of throwing out dried-up supplies is real... but so is the annoyance of scraping out crusty caulk.
I hear you on this. Honestly, I’ve seen so many clients try to “save” by buying in bulk, and then end up tossing half their supplies anyway. The smaller tubes or cans might feel like a rip-off per ounce, but in the long run, you’re right—it’s less wasteful and less hassle. I wish there was a better way to keep these things fresh, but after years in the field, I’m not convinced any hack really works for more than a few weeks. Sometimes paying a little more upfront saves you the headache later.
