Two complaints account for almost every shaker thrown away. Both are decided at specification, not in use.

The leak is nearly always the thread

Shallow or badly cut threads cross-thread on a rushed morning and sit a fraction proud, which is all it takes.

A gasket perched on the rim rather than seated in the lid finishes the job.

The smell is nearly always the geometry

Residue collects where a brush cannot reach — narrow necks, tucked shoulders, moulded ridges.

Wide mouths and clean interior geometry fix more odour complaints than any material claim.

Material still matters

BPA-free copolyester resists hazing and staining; cheap polypropylene goes cloudy and holds odour within months.

Stainless does not absorb at all, which is the honest fix if odour is your programme’s real problem.

The buyer’s checklist

Was the lid tested? Can a brush reach the base? Is the ball stainless? Was the print chosen for a flexing wall?

Four questions, answered in samples rather than adjectives.