Whenever I throw away an empty mason jar I always feel that its such a waste as they look perfectly good to be recycled again. However, more often then not I did not keep them because I couldn't think of any other use for them except to keep some loose coins or small knick knacks. Then there is the issue of removing those labels completely, no matter what I do, I simply cannot remove the stubborn glue from the jar. These glue stains some how makes the jar looks "imperfect" and as time goes by dust will be stuck to it turning them into an even uglier sight.
Recently I found out there are many people who love mason jars! They shared many great ideas and ways to use these jars, even tips on getting the labels off the jars with minimum scrubbing or trouble. I went through all the tips and decided to try the simplest tip that does not involve any hard work.
Here's what I did
Bring a pot of water to boil, remove from fire, squirt some dish washer into it, swirl the pot around to mix them up (see, I'm even lazy to take a spoon to stir them), drop the jars in and leave them at the kitchen sink. Ensure that the soapy water covers the label so that it can work on every part of the labels. About 15 mins later, you should see part or whole the label has fallen off the jar.
I simply remove the labels and rinse the jars with water. There were no glue stain on the jars too! The soapy water even makes getting rid of the ink stamped on the jar an easy task with light scrubbing of the green scrubby thingy.
And now I have 2 more beautiful mason jars ready for me to use, I have no idea for what purpose yet but I'm sure I will have an inspiration soon. By the way, DinoPapa is not too pleased with me keeping these jars; I have 3 of them stripped off labels and cleaned sitting at a corner of the kitchen top, I have better find some use for them SOON~
If you are a Mason Jar fan too, please share with me what do you use your jars for.
They look fabulous! Maybe you could turn them into flower vase?
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the idea.
DeleteI recycle these glass jars too! Useful for nuts that I buy in bulk, or homemade toasted muesli, or flour if the jars are big enough, or sugar, etc. Possibilities are endless!
ReplyDeleteOh yes you are right~
DeleteJars are fabulous aren't they and can be decorated then used for so many purposes. I must admit I sometimes buy a product based on the shape of the jar :)
ReplyDeleteSo instead of grocery shopping you went jars shopping hehehe~
DeleteWashi them Jenn! I love my mason jars and use them to store my homemade smoothies. And one place to look for inspirations, Pinterest! Don't blame me if your mason jar collection explode :)
ReplyDeleteI won't but not sure if DinoPapa will or not hahaha~ Ya I was thinking of washi taped them too since I bought a few rolls recently during the Popular sale.
DeleteOh yes we have a collection of mason jars and kilner jars here at home - We are just about to launch a food label, specialising in Pesto, Tapenade, Cured Olives, Chilli Oil etc etc
ReplyDeleteGreat tip! I have about 5 mason jars in the cupboard waiting to be used, I have had the problem of removing labels well not anymore! Thanks:)
ReplyDeleteYou could always make home-made jams or muselis and give them as gifts with a beautiful printed out tag. I'm planning to do that for my son's teachers for teachers' day next year.
ReplyDeleteI need to do this - thanks!
ReplyDelete