kate1, I have exactly the same problem. I think it's because the conditioner clogs up the opening, so you need to do one of two things. Either bang the bottle into the palm of your hand when you've finished using it, to make sure the conditioner falls back into the bottle and away from the opening, then close the top, or get a cocktail stick and use it to dislodge the congealed conditioner that's blocking the bottle. I think the problem is caused by air getting into that little bit at the top of the cap and hardening beacuse it's been left open. I tended not to worry about closing that type of swivel cap until this happened. I agree, it's not a great design.