# How to remove a broken glass stopper from a perfume bottle **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 12, 2009, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-a-broken-glass-stopper-from-a-perfume-bottle/502750 "2009-07-12T09:40:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Elysian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c77e96/32.png) [@Elysian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elysian)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-a-broken-glass-stopper-from-a-perfume-bottle/502750/1 "2009-07-12T09:40:28Z")
I’ve tried crazy glue and it hasn’t worked! This is what I have: [http://www.getprice.com.au/Chanel-No-5-7-5-ml-Parfum-Classic-for-Women-Gpnc\_282--20649319.htm](http://www.getprice.com.au/Chanel-No-5-7-5-ml-Parfum-Classic-for-Women-Gpnc_282--20649319.htm) The big top bit has broken off leaving a little stub of the stopper in situ. I tried that liquid glue stuff, let it sit for a few minutes, but when I pulled it just gave way. I was thinking about heating the bottle slightly, but I’m not sure if that would destroy the perfume. I could break the bottle and put the perfume in another container. Any other ideas? ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-a-broken-glass-stopper-from-a-perfume-bottle/502750/2 "2009-07-12T10:43:51Z")
Clean all of the other glue from around the stopper (you need to careful you don’t glue the stopper in) Use contact glue this time and leave it a good 24 hours before you try to remove the stopper again. ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-a-broken-glass-stopper-from-a-perfume-bottle/502750/3 "2009-07-12T15:10:09Z")
I would not heat it. Depending on exactly how you go about it, that could be very bad for the perfume. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-a-broken-glass-stopper-from-a-perfume-bottle/502750/4 "2009-07-12T16:21:52Z")
DON’T HEAT IT! Screw the perfume, pressurizing a sealed container made of glass is also called “improvising a bomb.” There’s one good trick I can think of; tip the bottle and saturate the neck with perfume right before you pull. Pull with a twisting motion, if the glue will hold up to it. When this happens with flasks in the lab, I usually just toss; if I have to recover the contents, I’ll break the flask (or at least the neck). Without the leverage provided by an intact stopper head, the glass-on-glass contact puts up too much resistance. But sometimes, the contents can wick between the stopper and the neck, dissolving residue and lubricating the joint. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-a-broken-glass-stopper-from-a-perfume-bottle/502750/5 "2009-07-12T17:20:08Z")
I would try silicone rubber. It adheres extremely well to glass. Remove every trace of the superglue, using a little sandpaper if necessary, and then glues something like the head of a screw to the remains of the stopper. Let it sit for at least 24 hours, then pull. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-a-broken-glass-stopper-from-a-perfume-bottle/502750/6 "2009-07-12T19:56:32Z")
Flame is a bad idea, although that’s usually how I unstick stuck glass stoppers. A \*quick \*blast from the butane torch has always done the trick for me, but your perfume is probably quite inflammable. You could also try drilling a hole part-way through the stopper, then gluing in a screw or something. ---
**Author:** ![Elysian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c77e96/32.png) [@Elysian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elysian)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-a-broken-glass-stopper-from-a-perfume-bottle/502750/7 "2009-07-12T20:16:06Z")
I like the idea about drilling into the stopper, but it’s a really tiny little stopper. The picture on the internet doesn’t really do justice to it – it’s smaller than those one-use shampoo bottles in hotels. I have thought about breaking the bottle, but I’m worried about evaporation of the perfume, plus there would be glass shards in it. And I would have to find a pretty bottle! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-a-broken-glass-stopper-from-a-perfume-bottle/502750/8 "2009-07-12T20:25:59Z")
> [@Elysian](#): > > I like the idea about drilling into the stopper, but it’s a really tiny little stopper. The picture on the internet doesn’t really do justice to it – it’s smaller than those one-use shampoo bottles in hotels. > > I have thought about breaking the bottle, but I’m worried about evaporation of the perfume, plus there would be glass shards in it. And I would have to find a pretty bottle! 🙂 Drilling glass is not impossible, but it presents problems. Study up on the matter if you want to try it. If you choose to break the bottle, have the replacement container on hand, set up with a funnel and filter. That should address the evaporation and glass shard concerns. You can always put it into something functional now and find a pretty bottle later. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-a-broken-glass-stopper-from-a-perfume-bottle/502750/9 "2009-07-12T20:33:29Z")
> [@Elysian](#): > > I like the idea about drilling into the stopper, but it’s a really tiny little stopper. The picture on the internet doesn’t really do justice to it – it’s smaller than those one-use shampoo bottles in hotels. A Dremel tool with a diamond burr might be able to do the job. You’d probably want to keep the glass lubricated with oil or water during the process. I’d try the glue idea first, though. I suppose just inverting the container over a cup and whacking it a few times is right out? ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-a-broken-glass-stopper-from-a-perfume-bottle/502750/10 "2009-07-12T20:38:43Z")
You know what I’d do, is take the broken bottle back to the store and ask for a new one. Can’t hurt. ---
**Author:** ![Pigs\_in\_Space](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9d8465/32.png) [@Pigs\_in\_Space](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pigs_in_Space)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-a-broken-glass-stopper-from-a-perfume-bottle/502750/11 "2009-07-13T00:08:35Z")
> [@Finagle](#): > > I suppose just inverting the container over a cup and whacking it a few times is right out? That’s what I was going to suggest, only with a strainer to catch the stopper. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-a-broken-glass-stopper-from-a-perfume-bottle/502750/12 "2009-07-13T03:41:54Z")
> [@dangermom](#): > > You know what I’d do, is take the broken bottle back to the store and ask for a new one. Can’t hurt. This. Or send it to the manufacturer. At least call them and see what they’re willing to do. I’m betting they’ll at least replace it and probably give you a few extras as well. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-a-broken-glass-stopper-from-a-perfume-bottle/502750/13 "2009-07-13T04:14:30Z")
Turn upside down over container and whack the bottom with a piece of wood. The shockwave through the liquid may be enough to pop the top. ---
**Author:** ![Elysian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c77e96/32.png) [@Elysian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elysian)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-a-broken-glass-stopper-from-a-perfume-bottle/502750/14 "2009-07-13T07:09:24Z")
I would return it to the shop but it’s in another country. I will try whacking it a good one when I’ve got a replacement bottle. That or breaking it I guess, although I will try the glue once again first. Thanks everyone!