Squeeze your day with dropper bottles! Apply serums, add a splash of food colouring, or apply a drop of eye drops. But how to use a dropper bottle?
Imagine you want to apply eye drops to your eye. What if you have your usual bottle, where you screw off the cap and apply it? Chances are, you’ll spill it all over your face. This is why the dropper bottle stands out. They let you control the exact amount of liquid. You can simply squeeze for a drop – no spills, no mess.
Whether it’s for skincare, cooking, or medications, knowing the answer would help you benefit from it more effectively.
Moreover, dropper bottle packaging is a smart choice for businesses seeking to offer convenience in their products. If you are one of them, then this article will help you to know how to use a dropper bottle, how to clean them, and where you can buy them in bulk.
All About Dropper Bottles

What is a dropper bottle? A dropper bottle is a small container that allows liquid to drop in small, controlled amounts. It is typically made with plastic or glass bottles equipped with rubber or pipette-style droppers attached to the lid. This pipette withdraws liquid from the bottle and releases it accurately in single drops
These are designed with the intention of dropping accurate dosages of liquid drops-often medicines and consumables. More than glass, these dropper bottles come in plastics, especially those produced with HDPE and LDPE materials.
They come in various sizes and designs, making them easy to carry, store, and use. These bottles are widely used across many industries.
Some examples of dropper bottles,
- Serums
- Facial oils
- Administering liquid medications
- Tinctures
- e-liquids for vaping
- Food flavourings
How to use a dropper bottle?

Dropper bottles are not just containers; they’re the key to an accurate, controlled experience.
Whether it’s to start the day with the perfect drop of essential oil or the soothe a tired body with the ideal amount of medicine, the details of usage matter.
A faulty dropper can lead to lost trust and frustration. But when you know accurately how to use a dropper bottle, you can ensure a mess-free experience that enhances your product’s value and reliability.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use a dropper bottle,
- Prepare your liquid: before starting to use, shake the bottle gently to mix the contents, especially if the liquid is thick. If necessary, squeeze the rubber bulb in the cap a few times to make sure the dropper is functioning properly.
- Hold in the right position: to avoid feeling excess liquid coming out, hold it upright. If it’s a vertical dropper, turn the bottle 180 degrees, so that the air goes in as the drop falls. If it is a horizontal dropper, pour at about 135 degrees and then drop.
- Squeeze the bulb: Immerse the dropper in the liquid and gently squeeze the bulk at the top of the dropper, so that it draws the liquid into the pipette (tube).
- Release to Fill: once the bulb is fully squeezed, release it slowly to allow the dropper to fill with liquid.
- Dispense the liquid: once the dropper is full, dispense the liquid by gently squeezing the bulb again and all of the liquid flows out of the pipette.
- Close the Bottle: After use, securely close the dropper bottle to prevent leaks and preserve the liquid inside.
How to clean dropper bottles?
Once you know how to clean a dropper bottle, it is also important to know how to clean dropper bottles. This is necessary to maintain hygiene and ensure the longevity of the bottle.
Here’s a simple guide,
- Take Everything Apart: Remove the cap from the dropper bottle and separate the rubber bulb or pipette from the bottle.
- Rinse well: Use warm water and rinse the bottle and other parts. Give it a good shake and remove any leftover liquid. Rinse more than once.
- Use Mild Soap: Use mild soap and apply it to a soft brush, sponge, or cloth. Clean the inside of the bottle, dropper, and rubber bulb thoroughly. Gently squeeze the dropper tube and bulb and release to drop all the soap remaining.
- Rinse Again: Take some clean warm water and rinse all parts until all soap is removed.
- Dry the Parts: Before reassembling, let all components dry completely. You can air dry them or use a clean towel to gently pat them dry.
Further Tips
Vinegar Soak: Put all the parts in vinegar and soak for at least 10 minutes. This will help loosen the discolorations and other bits inside the bottle and pipette.
Soak in soapy water: Put all the parts and soak in warm soapy water for 10 minutes. Once soaked, clean the parts while in the soapy water.
What to do with empty dropper bottle?

Usually, when your dropper bottle gets empty, it ends up in the garbage. What if I say that you can reuse them in creative ways?
These bottles can be incredibly versatile for DIY projects and household chores. Grab your empty dropper bottles and find ways to reuse them.
- Travel-sized Toiletries
Refill dropper bottles with shampoo, conditioner, or other liquids to make travel-size versions. They are small, leak-proof, and perfect for on-the-go.
- Homemade cleaning solutions
Repurpose the dropper bottles and store homemade solutions like paint, ink, dye, perfumes or colognes.
- Mini plant holder
Add rocks, fill them with soil, and plant your tiny plant. It’s a cute, eco-friendly way to bring greenery to any space!
- Tiny Message Bottles
Create tiny message crafts. Write small notes, wishes, or quotes and roll them up to fit inside the dropper bottle for unique gifts.
- Room Fresheners
Fill plastic dropper bottles with a mixture of water and essential oils to create your own room spray. Add a few drops for an instant fresh scent.
Common Mistakes to Avoid

- A common mistake you should know when knowing how to use a dropper bottle is not shaking the bottle. It is important to shake the bottle to ensure liquid is evenly distributed, so that you get the correct amount.
- Not storing the dropper bottle correctly is another mistake. After each use, store the dropper bottle in a cool, dry place. This will help to ensure that the liquid remains effective.
- Squeezing the bulb too forcefully can cause the liquid to come out too quickly, leading to wastage or mess.
- Using the wrong type of liquid should be avoided. This is because some liquids may not be suitable for dropper bottles, such as thick or viscous substances that can’t flow easily through the dropper.
Where can I buy empty dropper bottles?
Jars Bottles provides empty dropper bottles in bulk options. As a brand, we create the industry’s best plastic dropper bottles for our customers to reflect the quality of our dropper plastic bottles.
Types Available: We offer a wide selection of empty dropper bottles in different materials, LDPE and HDPE, as well as in a variety of sizes.
Customizations: Customization options are available, such as branded labels, logo printing, and unique packaging designs.
Price Range: We offer affordable pricing with bulk orders available.
Start by choosing the right dropper bottle to package your products. Invest wisely in your brand today with Jars Bottles.
Conclusion
How to use a dropper bottle? Commonly used for essential oils, medicine, food coloring, serums, and even cleaning solutions, these bottles have slightly different methods of usage. But generally, you can use it in the easiest way possible.
With their versatility and easy-to-use design, dropper bottles make it easier to measure and apply liquids without spills.