You will have a collection of storage
items, crockery, cooking utensils, electrical appliances, and much more in your
kitchen. Still, it can be common to buy something new even at the realization
of the slightest need. For example, you can think of mason jars. People
primarily buy them for home canning. They don't mind paying a few extra bucks
for the ones with tops. From thrift stores to department stores, these are
available everywhere at varying prices.
But do you ever wonder why you shop for them when you must have a couple
of them lying just like that? If you don't believe it, check your pasta sauce
jar.
The labels on the jar can be the
reason to whine. However, you can remove them and reuse the jar. It can be a
perfect waste reduction solution for anyone interested in eco-friendliness.
Plus, these can give the inside of your cabinets a more well-tuned appearance
without costing anything extra. So, what can be a better way to reduce your
kitchen waste and save few dollars too? If you are curious about this process,
let’s find out what bottles you can use and how.
Types
of Reusable Glass Jars
While it can be a preferential choice
based on shape and design, you can choose large pasta sauce jars for their size
advantage. At the same time, it must not be challenging to find multiple of
them in the same size and shape if you are a true pasta fan. Besides, you can
use pizza sauce, pickle, and nut butter bottles. But these will be about the size
of small mason jars. Anyway, it doesn't bother you as long as you have a mix of
small and big bottles for different storage needs. Some people also upscale
their glass honey jars, tiny mustard bottles, and salad dressing jars. So,
ideally, you can reach out for an empty glass jar in the kitchen when you have
to pack something.
But you have to wash them properly to
make them suitable for any other food item. If you don't clean well, the
residual smell of the previously stored item will interfere with the new,
spoiling its taste and, sometimes, the whole of it. That's why it is necessary
to be careful with cleaning. You can recognize the significance of having an
extraordinary faucet that matches your sink style in
this context. A faucet that complements the depth and dimension of the sink
bowl can be the perfect addition; you will not have to worry about splashing
water or banging the jar against the sink wall. It can also make your cleaning
effort less tiring and quick.
How
to Clean Jars?
Sticky labels can leave stubborn glue
behind when you try to peel them off the surface. Instead of doing this, you
can leave the jars in water for a few hours. It will loosen the label and cause
less stickiness. When it softens, you can take the glass container under
running water and try to scrape it off with the butt of the butter knife. If it
doesn't help, use any reliable household cleaner or spot stain remover to get
rid of it. Not all labels come with super strong glue. Hence, don't worry. You
can carefully remove the sticker, pulling it straight from end to end of the
jar. If it starts to tear in between, you can scrub the remains without doing
away with the ripped portion.
You can rub off the gooey part of the
jar with stainless steel scrubbers, as these gritty things don't relent without
accomplishing their target. You may worry that it can damage the glass.
However, you can prevent this with a little bit of patience and carefulness. To
avoid risk, you can resort to regular brushes and sponges. But these will not
be impactful.
Once you finish this, you can rinse
your jar over the sink to make sure it is odor-free. For this again, you have
to do a few things. For example, you can add 1/4 cup of coarse salt and a bit
of vinegar, just about the quantity enough to swish the salt around. Don’t
forget to shake the bottle well so that the gunk from the bottom and sides goes
away. In the end, you can rinse it thoroughly and dry it. If you use a
dishwashing solution, you can use a suitable bottle brush for the same effect.
However, don't hurry to fill this jar
until it becomes free of smell or any stickiness. Only when it looks and smells
safe can you put it to good use.
What
Can You Store in the Clean Glass Jars and Bottles?
From purees to pizza sauces to
chicken stock, you can keep anything in them for secure storage. But, of
course, some people like to use them beyond the kitchen too. From artworks to
playroom organization to bathroom storage, these can fit in many places
effortlessly.
Many traditional households used to
follow this. But due to modernization and rushed lifestyles, these things
became impossible to practice. If you are a working professional, you may not
feel like pursuing it because of the amount of time and effort involved.
However, if you compare it with the time you take out to travel to a thrift
store or local department store for shopping, it may not sound like a big deal.
Plus, it can prove cost-effective from many angles.
As you know, a
low-waste lifestyle is gaining pace. Homeowners and businesses
are trying to control their carbon footprint. If you cannot do much in this
area, you can try to invest in sustainable materials and fixtures to
compensate. For example, you can switch to metals like stainless steel, brass,
and others from plastic. Get strong plumbing fixtures such as sinks and faucets
to avoid the need for frequent replacements. All these will essentially have a
similar impact and help you control waste from your end. To be precise, you
have plenty of options to pick and adopt. It is up to you to decide how you
want to make a difference.
