# Products most often used in direct violation of package directions. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 24, 2002, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627 "2002-07-24T20:11:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/1 "2002-07-24T20:11:03Z")
So the hubby bought Q-tips the other day, and he said, “Hey! It says on the box not to stick these Q-tips in your ear. What are you _supposed_ to use them for?” Are there other products that contain explicit warnings _against_ using them for whatever people most commonly use them for? All I can think of off the top of my head is Go-Gurt. (Ya know, yogurt in a tube?) It says “Keep Refrigerated” but I always get them for car trips because they’re not messy, and if you eat 'em within four days or so you don’t really have to keep them refrigerated. (After four days, they get a little lumpy . . . but still taste fine.) I imagine that most people use them in lunchboxes and stuff, and rarely are the actually kept refrigerated at all times. \*\*Disclaimer: Podkayne is not advocating sticking Q-tips in your ears or eating unrefrigerated yogurt. She is simply describing her own possibly unwise patterns of use. I’m sure you guys have some good examples. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/2 "2002-07-24T20:19:38Z")
Vicks VapoRub Vaseline Contrary to package instructions and warnings, I put each in my nose (not at the same time, silly) when I have a cold and my nasal passages are dried out and hurting, ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/3 "2002-07-24T20:23:05Z")
Sorry to disappoint…Q-Tips are exactly what I thought of when I saw the thread title. ---
**Author:** ![Mooney252](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7c8e57/32.png) [@Mooney252](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooney252)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/4 "2002-07-24T20:29:44Z")
Q-Tips: I use them on my ears and I use them on the dog (the labrador retriever gets yeast infections if we don’t keep the ears clean). These are one of the finest products known to man, as they can also be used to clean tape drive heads; apply or remove makeup; and paint small items. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/5 "2002-07-24T20:31:05Z")
I must lead a protected life, surrounded by law-abiding people. I swear that until I was an adult I never _heard_ of people putting Q-tips in their ears (and it’s not because I’d already put them in my ears…). I never would have even thought of such an idea. Why do you think we have little fingers? They’re exactly the right size, and designed so that you can’t poke out an eardrum with them. ---
**Author:** ![malaka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@malaka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malaka)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/6 "2002-07-24T20:33:47Z")
I used to gargle and rinse my mouth with some kind of stuff that foamed up a lot. Can’t remember what it was called, tho. Hydroxide? Anyway…I’m pretty sure the bottle said something like, “Don’t put this in your mouth!”. And I’m just fine today! \ ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/7 "2002-07-24T20:35:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CalMeacham \* > \*\*…Why do you think we have little fingers? They’re exactly the right size, and designed so that you can’t poke out an eardrum with them. \*\* Oooooh!! Ooooooh!! Ooooooh!! Pick me!!! I know the answer!!! Ahem. So we can clean the earwax out from under our fingernails… _with a butterknife!!_ ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/8 "2002-07-24T20:36:39Z")
**malaka** , was it hydrogen peroxide, maybe? And of course, I was ready to come in here and say Q-Tips. Ah, I love the feel of a good Q-Tip ear rogering! ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/9 "2002-07-24T20:56:53Z")
**Cal** , little fingers are a useful stopgap measure, to be sure, but, ah, there is nothing like the satisfaction of a Q-tipping well done. And think of the poor people with fat little fingers and small ears! So, uh, what _do_ you use Q-tips for? Cleaning tapeheads and makeup application? ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/10 "2002-07-24T20:57:08Z")
Fireworks. Light wick and run away, yeah right! It’s much more entertaining to throw them or otherwise become closely involved. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/11 "2002-07-24T20:59:56Z")
Who hasn’t drank a beer and then operated large earth moving equipment. ---
**Author:** ![Inky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7feea3/32.png) [@Inky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inky_1)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/12 "2002-07-24T21:08:43Z")
I myself find that, despite what the label says, Prozac and alcohol go together quite well, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/13 "2002-07-24T21:15:36Z")
I have, on occasion, been forced to stick a metal fork into a toaster in order to dislodge a wayward piece of bread. I am fairly sure this is frowned upon in several jurisdictions. I do believe I read some warning about this in the toaster safe-use instructions that I threw away long ago. ---
**Author:** ![MachV](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@MachV](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MachV)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/14 "2002-07-24T21:21:50Z")
Well, I’m only _assuming_ the Zig-Zag people just want you to use _regular tobacco_ when making your own cigarettes. I could be wrong… And to echo Inkydash, _I have heard_ that some 'scripts actually do go better with alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![Kalashnikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/2bfe46/32.png) [@Kalashnikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalashnikov)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/15 "2002-07-24T21:25:03Z")
nitrous oxide canisters who really buys cases of these to make whipped cream? ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/16 "2002-07-24T21:25:31Z")
shampoo. often, when feeling reckless, I do not repeat. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/17 "2002-07-24T21:45:16Z")
How many of us _don’t_ close cover before striking??? ---
**Author:** ![brad\_d](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@brad\_d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brad_d)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/18 "2002-07-24T21:57:20Z")
My jackstands carry a label which warns, in part: > [@](#): > > Never work under a vehicle supported solely by jackstands. 'Scuse me? That’s precisely what jackstands are _for_ according to most folks. You’re not supposed to get under a vehicle supported solely by a _jack_ (they can fail without warning). ---
**Author:** ![Rue\_DeDay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/41988e/32.png) [@Rue\_DeDay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rue_DeDay)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/19 "2002-07-24T22:19:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Podkayne \* > **And think of the poor people with fat little fingers and small ears!** Hey now! I’m not poor, I’m comfortable. (And I always use products in their approved manor. Really.) -Rue. ---
**Author:** ![Francesca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/20 "2002-07-24T22:52:01Z")
**Rue** - like lamps? And toasters? As for the OP: Personally, I’ve heard _personal massagers_ are supposed to be used on the shoulders. Ha! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627.md?page=2)