Q: I recently stumbled on your site and have been loving all the tips! I was wondering if you might be able to give a little advice for cleaning the smell out of old food jars? I've saved tons of jars from pickles and other odds and ends but no matter how much I wash them they still end up with a funky smell! Any thoughts? Thanks!
Asked by Jordan
Editor: Jordan, we've written a couple posts on this that should help you out!
• 10 Simple Uses for Spaghetti Jars
• How To Remove Jar Labels and Odors
• Simple Green: Use Empty Food Jars For Your Bulk Items (note: read the comments!)
Readers, what are your cleaning and deodorizing suggestions for Jordan?
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vinegar + soap + sitting overnight works for me, even with the pickle/relish smell.
Thank you for asking this!! I usually assume it's the plastic on the inside lid of the glass jar that holds in not only smells, but bacteria. I wonder if there's a way to remove that sealing....?
Used coffee grounds + hot water. Fill up the jar, screw on the lid, shake it up, and let it soak overnight.
wash it, dry it, then put a dry paper towel in it and close the lid. Sometimes some baking soda with the paper towel. Leave it for a while, then take out the paper towel...and the smell.
Pick up a box of denture cleaning tablets at your local 99 Cents store. They are magic at cleaning anything glass or ceramic. They get the coffee stains out of your favorite mug, make that waterline in your vases disappear, and make a white porcelain sink sparkle. They're formulated to remove odors -- they will definitely solve your problem.