This is Day 49 of the Green in 365 series!
We talked about getting rid of the plastics in our kitchen on Friday, but you might be wondering what you should replace those plastics with. Using and reusing glass jars and containers is a great way to move away from using plastics in your kitchen.
I have built up quite a collection of glass jars over the past few years, and love coming up with new ways to use them in my kitchen and around the house. Here are a few ideas for using glass jars to get you started.
17 Ways to Use Glass Jars in the Kitchen:
1. Storing leftovers in the fridge
2. Freezing leftovers, especially things like soup.
3. Storing bulk foods like nuts, grains, and baking supplies.
4. Use for drinking glasses.
5. Turn your glass jars into a to-go cup with a Cuppow lid.
6. Storing homemade foods, like granola, in the pantry.
7. Storing homemade foods, like salad dressings or homemade creamer, in the fridge.
8. Making homemade cultured and fermented foods like yogurt or kefir.
9. Storing homemade spice mixes like taco seasoning, or Italian dressing mix.
10. Freezing homemade stock (be sure to leave space at the top of the jar for expansion).
11. Organize craft or office type supplies.
12. Use as a homemade fruit fly trap.
13. Store your homemade cleaning products like dishwasher detergent or soft scrub.
14. Decorating. Glass jars make simple and elegant decorations with fresh flowers, or a candle and ribbon.
15. Storing homemade arts and craft supplies like homemade bubbles or finger paint.
16. Preserving foods by canning.
17. Use as a hand soap dispenser with a soap dispenser lid, or by making your own.
To begin building your own supply of glass jars, start by saving glass jars from the food you buy. Those are the best type of glass jars because they’re basically free! You can also usually find cheap glass jars at thrift stores, garage sales or Craigslist. Once you start keeping your eyes open for glass jars, you’ll probably be surprised how easy they are to find.
What’s your favorite way to use glass jars in your kitchen?
Find all the Green in 365 posts.
More Green Kitchen Tips!
Get rid of aluminum, plastic, and Teflon!
*Disclosure – There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I’ll receive a small commission. Thanks for supporting Live Renewed!
Use as a sprouting jar to grow mung bean sprouts or alfalfa sprouts.
We use glass jars for storage all the time. It is used for my homemade veggie stock that goes in the freezer, keeping all of our beans/grains, when I make homemade dressings or sauces, this is where they go 🙂 Of course, at the height of canning season it is hard to find jars to use for these purposes…I guess that means I need some more!