Resealing Half Used Caulk Tubes

It always frustrates me when I do a caulking or sealant job around the house to have to throw away a half used tube of caulk or silicon sealant or construction adhesive. I would use the provided caps and/or tape the tip, however no matter what I did the tube would be bad by the next job.

Here is a simple technique that will extend the life of a half used tube.

Step 1 What You Need

Here is what you need:

   1.  A circle of material cut from a milk jug.
   2.  A lighter or candle.

Make sure the nozzle or tip of the tube is clean of caulk.

Comments

[laskaslinks]

I have always just stuck a nail into the end of the tube. When you need it again - pull the nail out. Thing of it as an easier step than finding a rod or a wire nut. I have never had a tube dry out using this method. I will advise that it's better to cut the tube open at a 90* angle and pay attention when sliding the nail back in... it will irritate you if you do this tired and puncture through the side (too messy too)

[JIONER]

IF CAULK IN PLASTIC TUBE I JUST STICK IT NOZZLE DOWN A TUB OF WATER.
I HAVE THIS WAY SAVES SO MUCH OF MESSING ABOUT OF SOMETHING TO
SEAL THE NOZZLE

[rimar2000]

Pardon, your method is good, but mine is better: I search a cylindric plastic or metalic solid rod (no wood), with diameter equal to the tip's hole. Preferably, a little snug. I insert the rod some 5 to 7 cm into the peak, so when I want use newly the caulk I pull out the rod, and ALL THE CAULK IS FRESH! Only a bit of dried caulk cover the rod, less than 0.5 mm thickness. Each three or four uses I must clean this dried caulk to reuse the same rod. If something here does not mean, tell me,

I don't speak English but Spanish. Maybe using another words the idea could be understable.

[Doug Paradis]

I am loving hearing about all the way folks attack this problem. I still think my way is better because, I would have a hard time finding the right sized rod. If I can find some appropriate rods, I will definitely give this method a try. I might even do both, sort of like a wine cork and foil.
Thanks for your sharing your method.

[DIY Dave]

You could just screw a wire nut on the nozzle.

[hilly-wa]

In addition to sealing the nozzle, I stuff several plastic grocery bags into the open end of the caulk tube to seal the "push end".

[cpotoso]

I usually stick a screw into the "nozzle" and cover the end with duct tape. Then I place the whole thing inside a zip-lock bag. I have used caulk that had been open more than one year without problem this way. YMMV.

[Doug Paradis]

I will have to give that a try. I haven't had any luck with duct tape (never tried it with a screw), but I really like the idea of putting it in a zip-lock bag after sealing.
Thanks for sharing!