Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Marthe48

(17,015 posts)
Sun Apr 30, 2023, 01:39 PM Apr 2023

Does anyone one have a gentle method of removing glass stoppers?

I have a small decanter that might be a good piece of glass. My husband bought it over 10 years ago, and the stopper was stuck then. We tried different suggestions to get the stopper out at the time, and nothing worked. I even thought maybe the stopper wasn't meant to come out. We stopped trying, and it has been on the shelf since then.

I took it from the shelf today, and dabbed some olive oil around the rim of the stopper. I'll let it sit for awhile. When we got it, we tried heating the decanter and cooling the stopper, didn't help. Too long ago to remember what else we tried. I'd rather keep it stuck than break it. If anyone has any tricks, I'd appreciate hearing them. Thank you!

11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Does anyone one have a gentle method of removing glass stoppers? (Original Post) Marthe48 Apr 2023 OP
WD-40, maybe? hippywife Apr 2023 #1
I tried WD-40 and it worked for me. Same issue. Made a pudddle at the top rim. Let it sit. Paper Roses Apr 2023 #5
Have you tried slathering the rim with Vaseline? LoisB Apr 2023 #2
Perhaps some gentle heat. alittlelark Apr 2023 #3
I would try a silicone spray. Chainfire Apr 2023 #4
I bookmarked the thread Marthe48 Apr 2023 #6
Something like a small electric spice grinder/tiny blender gently placed against the stopper ... Donkees May 2023 #8
I've had it soaking in plain water since I posted Marthe48 May 2023 #9
Kroil Earl_from_PA Apr 2023 #7
Jewelers use Windex to get stuck rings off fingers Wicked Blue Mar 30 #10
I just brought the bottle up from the basement Marthe48 Mar 30 #11

hippywife

(22,767 posts)
1. WD-40, maybe?
Sun Apr 30, 2023, 01:42 PM
Apr 2023

I'm thinking the little straw in the nozzle will allow the product to be more forcefully injected between the tight space between the stopper and the vessel.

Paper Roses

(7,475 posts)
5. I tried WD-40 and it worked for me. Same issue. Made a pudddle at the top rim. Let it sit.
Sun Apr 30, 2023, 02:03 PM
Apr 2023

I think I waited 2 days, tried several times to "giggle" the stopper and on about the 3rd day it was loose enough to remove the stopper. Good luck.

Chainfire

(17,636 posts)
4. I would try a silicone spray.
Sun Apr 30, 2023, 02:02 PM
Apr 2023

Something like Blaster Silicone lubricant, about five bucks and a major chain store near you. I would soak it a few times and then gently try to rotate the stopper a tiny bit right an left until it breaks free.

Not pushing the Blaster brand, there are probably dozens of liquid silicone lubricants.

Donkees

(31,453 posts)
8. Something like a small electric spice grinder/tiny blender gently placed against the stopper ...
Thu May 11, 2023, 07:59 AM
May 2023

... might help loosen the stopper as motor vibrates - a final step to whatever else you are trying.

Marthe48

(17,015 posts)
9. I've had it soaking in plain water since I posted
Thu May 11, 2023, 08:15 AM
May 2023

I tried some of the suggestions (not Kroil or Wd 40) I thought maybe if I soaked it long enough, water would seep in and loosen the stopper. So far, no luck. I'm supposed to have company this weekend, going to see if they can turn the stopper

Thanks for the idea. I'll see what kind of small appliances I have that might work.

Marthe48

(17,015 posts)
11. I just brought the bottle up from the basement
Sat Mar 30, 2024, 10:07 PM
Mar 30

Stopper is still stuck. I was thinking of putting it in my booth saying there's a genie trapped in there I'll try the Windex and let you know how it goes. Thanks for the tip!

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Household Hints & Help»Does anyone one have a ge...