What is a dip tube and how do you measure it?

What is a dip tube?

A dip tube is the plastic tube found in plastic sprayers and pumps.  It's important because it's the way by which the product travels from the container and out into the world. Without it your lotion wouldn't end up in your hand.  Your glass cleaner would just stay in the bottle and your mirror/window would remain dirty. Talk about a sad situation. Dip tubes also have different diameters.  For example a lotion pump's tube has a much larger diameter than a fine-mist sprayer's.  This is so that the tube is proportional to the orifice through which the product will be escaping.  

   

How do you measure a dip tube?

Measuring a dip tube can be a little bit tricky. But don't fret, we've put together a quick tutorial to help you out:

Step 1: Measure the Container

Measuring the height of the container will tell you how far your dip tube needs to reach.  Measure in a straight line from the top of the container to the base.

Step 2: Measure Your Pump/Sprayer and Cut

This step is critical! Start your measurement from inside the cap/skirt.  This method will help measure from the point that the sprayer or pump is resting on the container.  Measure from that point to the length that you got from measuring your bottle.  Mark the dip tube and cut.  If your measuring device won't fit inside the cap you can also measure from the outside.  Just measure from the top of the cap.

Step 3: Don't Cut Yourself

This step is also critical!

Step 4: Test

It's always good to test to make sure the your product is dispensing properly.  If you need samples, let us know!  We'd be happy to get you samples so that you can get the right length for your application.

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