Classy and Opinionated Lifestyle Mom Blog
I love candles and enjoy using them throughout my home. I have some that are in pretty glass jars while others are in ceramic containers. After you’re done burning the candle you can easily remove the remaining wax and upcycle the jar/container to be used …
I love gardening and that includes growing a lot of plants inside and outside of my home. A lot of our plants are planted directly into the ground while others are grown in planters and containers. I love planters that are made out of all …
I’ve been home canning for the past 35+ years. Over the decades I’ve accumulated hundreds of glass mason canning jars. During the canning season I’ll use at least 500 jars preserving a wide variety of food. When the jars aren’t in use it’s important to clean and store them properly. Everyone has a different method, but here’s how I do it.
All empty jars need to be properly cleaned. I lay out old cotton towels on my kitchen counter-top. I fill the sink with hot soapy water. I like to use Dawn Liquid Dish Soap because it does a great job at removing grease, food debris, and grime. I use a bottle brush to get into all of the nooks and crannies. You want to scrub around the threads of the jar (around the opening) until they’re clean. Rinse them until all of the soapy reside is gone.
Always inspect them for damage. Any jars with cracks, chips, stains, fogginess, etc. should be discarded or used for non-food purposes.
I do a rotation system during the drying process. I first place all jars upside down onto the towels. They remain like that for 2 hours. I then go back and flip them right-side-up to finish the drying process. They need to be completely DRY before storing them away. Any moisture left inside them can cause mold and mildew to grow.
After drying I transport them into my canning pantry closet. Yes, I’m lucky enough to have my own walk-in pantry canning closet! I lined my shelves with a foam type of shelf liner to keep the jars a little bit more protected from chipping.
When storing the jars they shouldn’t be touching one another or stacked on top of each other. Don’t put the rings or seals back on them. Rings and seals should be stored in separate containers.
Before I use them again to process food they get another hand washing, rinse, and inspection. It’s important to ONLY use extremely clean jars that are in perfect condition, so that you have the best results when preserving food. If you properly clean and store your glass mason jars they will last you for decades!
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Decorating your outdoor spaces with small garden flags is a great way to add color and style to that outdoor space. With that said…they can get dirty and muddy over time. I like to clean mine twice a year to keep them looking nice. You …
Wicker furniture adds beauty to any outdoor living space while providing comfortable seating. These days you can find it in a variety of styles and colors. Some is made out of genuine wicker and rattan, while others are made out of synthetic materials. If you …
Cleaning a cooler isn’t one of my favorite things to do but it’s necessary. A cooler should be thoroughly cleaned after each use to keep dirt and germs away. Here’s how I like to clean a cooler.
If the weather is nice take it outside into the yard. Fill it up with water from the garden hose with a little bit of liquid dishwashing soap. Let it soak for 30 minutes. Pour the water out. Use a wet microfiber cloth to wipe up any remaining messes inside it. Rinse it out with clean running water. Use a towel to dry or if the weather is nice…air dry.
Cleaning one during cooler weather can be accomplished inside using your bath tub. Fill it 3/4 of the way full with water and liquid dish soap. Let it soak for 30 minutes. Dump the water out. Use a microfiber cloth to scrub the inside and then rinse all of the soap and debris out. Use a towel to dry it or turn it upside down to let the water drain out & dry.
Stubborn Stains: Mix together 1 cup of water and 2 teaspoons of white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray this solution onto any stains. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then rinse clean. If that doesn’t work try using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Sometimes though…no matter what you do some stains won’t come clean.
Bacteria and Germs: If you feel that bacteria and germs may be inside it…use a antibacterial cleaning cloth inside and out. Rinse thoroughly with water and air dry. Do not pour liquid bleach inside a cooler!!! Natural Alternative is to wipe down the inside with pure white vinegar or apple cider vinegar and then rinse clean with water.
Additional tips: Do not place a lid onto the cooler until you’re sure it is thoroughly dry. Any enclosed moisture can cause mildew and mold to grow. Once everything is dry…place the lid on top and store it away until you need it.
* This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may or may not receive a small commission which helps to support this site. Thank you!
Decorative House Flags are a nice way to add color and decor to your front and back yards. I like to change mine out as the seasons and holidays change throughout the year. If I had to guess, I would estimate that we own at …
My kitchen sink is one thing in my home that is cleaned on a daily basis. I do it to keep germs and bacteria down…and to keep it looking nice. No one wants to walk into the kitchen and see a filthy sink! People clean …