Creative Ideas for Glass Jars
Today’s post is an ode to one of my very favorite kitchen items: the humble glass jar. Whether you’re looking for ways to put your mason jar collection to good use or fun ideas for pickle jar crafts, there are all sorts of creative and practical uses for glass jars!
I’ve actually written quite a lot about glass jars over the years, having used them in DIYs, recipes, health tips, home decor projects, and much more. So I revisited some of those ideas and rounded up a few more to put together this list of things to do with mason jars. Enjoy!
Have a glass jar tip that isn’t mentioned here? Tell us all about it in a comment at the bottom of this post!
14 Brilliant Uses for Glass Jars
1. Add a Pour Spout
This is one of my all-time favorite jar projects, because it’s so easy, and it’s really useful too! You simply remove the spout area from a pour-top carton of juice or milk, then slap it on top of a spare mason jar, and screw a canning ring onto the jar to keep the spout in place.
Voila, you have the world’s easiest pour-top dispenser! (For more specific details and instructions, see the full post at the link below.)
Related: The Most Useful Mason Jar Accessory Is Surprisingly Easy To Make
2. Get Organized
When it comes to using mason jars to keep things neat and tidy around the house, the possibilities are endless! Learn about 11 great ways you can organize your kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and more with mason jars below.
Related: 11 Creative Organizing Tips For People Who Love Mason Jars
3. Accessorize It
Glass jars are already useful, but a few jar accessories can up their utility even more! There are tons of cool accessories out there that can transform glass jars into something totally new. I shared some of my favorite mason jar accessories a little while back, so check that out at the link below!
Related: 15 Ways To Make Your Mason Jars Even More Useful
4. Marinate Meat
Have you ever marinated meat in glass jars? I highly recommend giving it a try! It’s a great way to really infuse the flavor of the marinade into the meat, and since you can wash and reuse the jar afterwards, it’s less wasteful than using a ziplock bag. Get all the details at the full post below.
Related: How To Make And Use A Mason Jar Marinade
5. Make a Soap Dispenser
Speaking of wasteful, think of all the plastic that could goes into making hand soap bottles. When they’re empty, a lot of people just toss theirs in the trash and buy a new one. Instead, why not top a pretty mason jar with a soap dispenser jar top? They’re easy to make, and much less wasteful!
6. Give It a Makeover
Love the vintage look of those blue-tinted mason jars? You can easily replicate it at home to give your jars the vintage look you love without paying an arm and a leg for it. Smart! Just add some acrylic paint to Mod Podge and paint the jar – it might take several coats so let it dry thoroughly in between. Just tint the Mod Podge so it’s still translucent for that antique look!
More Ideas You'll Love
7. Light It Up
Mason jar luminaries are not only cute, but they’re practical too! You can use them inside or outside, or carry them around to light different areas. The light source itself is just a simple LED insert you can buy online, so no tricky DIYing or installation required!
8. Make a Pretty Candle
Transform glass jars into pretty water candles! They smell great and look very elegant as well. These candles are sure to add a classy touch to your decor, and no one even has to know how easy they were to make. ;-) Just fill the jar part way with water and decor of choice, then carefully pour some oil on top of the water. Add a floating wick and you’re done! Make these DIY candles for every holiday and every day!
9. Plant an Herb Garden
The only thing better than fresh herbs is having fresh herbs on hand all the time! You can start your very own indoor herb “garden” with a few glass jars. Soon enough, you’ll have more fresh and fragrant herbs than you’ll know what to do with!
Simply fill the bottom of the jars with decorative stones then add potting soil and your herbs. You can buy small potted herbs or start them with seed. Keep an eye on the pebbles to make sure you’re not overwatering! The soil should not be soaked.
10. Stop Snoring
If you or someone you love is a snorer, give my homemade snore relief gel a try. I like to store it in a mason jar so I can cap and un-cap it as needed. The gel itself contains natural essential oils that can help provide relief to snorers (and their bedmates, of course!) Learn how to make it at the link below.
Related: If Snoring Is Keeping You Up, You Need To Try This
11. Make a Take-Along Meal
A glass jar makes an ideal vessel for self-contained meals you can take to work or school. And they’re generally healthier, more delicious, and less expensive than going out for lunch! Check out nearly two dozen delicious mason jar meal ideas below.
Related: 21 Marvelous Mason Jar Meals You Need To Try
12. Relieve Congestion
Both colds and allergies can lead to stuffy noses and congestion. But with the help of a mason jar, you can relieve congestion fast! Using some cotton balls and a few essential oils, you can make your own portable “breathe jar” that will help reduce inflammation and open your airways. Get all the details on how to make your own at the link below.
Related: Stuffy Nose? Here’s The Best Way To Get Quick Relief
More Ideas You'll Love
13. Add Some Sparkle
One can never have too much sparkle, in my opinion. And these easy-to-make salt votives are a quick way to add some sparkle to your home decor, and it makes a great pickle jar craft too! With just a jar, some salt, and a tea light, you can add warmth and character to any room.
To make one, simply hold the jar by spreading your fingers inside the rim, then paint Mod Podge all over your jar and roll it in epsom salts. Add a tea light and you’re done! Use your leftover epsom salts to make an easy DIY fabric softener!
14. Make a Room Smell Great
A mason jar is the perfect container for my homemade gel air fresheners. They’re totally customizable, and you can make them your own by choosing your favorite colors, decorations, and scents. If you have enough jars, you can make one for every room in your home! :-) Read the full post below for all the details.
Related: How To Make Your Own Gel Air Fresheners
Looking For More Posts Like This?
- I’ve written dozens of blog posts about creative alternative uses for everyday items, and now there’s a quick and easy way to peruse them!
- Check out all of my “Uses For” posts here.
What other uses for glass jars would you add to this list?
I’ve been trying to get to the instructions to make the blue votive lights and the salt votive lights, but the links provided both lead to an article about laundry basket hacks. I looked over that page as well but did not find the info I’m looking for. Am I doing something wrong? Thanks for your help!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sorry about that, Traci. We have been updating our posts and either making them more relevant or removing them. Unfortunately, the post you are looking for has been removed as our team works on it. The good news is the post you are looking for is still available in our archives. I suggest that you print it out for future use.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.DIY Solar-Powered Mason Jar Luminaries
I’ve been using the empty pasta sauce jars these past few years- I just remove the labels. Put them on our fireplace and put the tiny tree lights inside at. Christmas. It’s very pretty. I had heard of people using the jars for other things and I decided to try it. We’re not ones to keep very many Mason jars around. The glass jars we usually take to a glass recycle bin when we have a bunch . I just can’t see spending a lot on the Mason jars when the empty sauce jars will work as well for some things.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love the idea of reusing/repurposing glass mason jars, however I won’t use them in the bathroom.
Children, the elderly, anyone who has trouble holding & grasping might accidentally drop and break the jar. The bathroom is a terrible place for broken glass especially if someone is out of the shower/bath.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just received a really big glass jar with a solid wood lid. It’s big & heavy & haven’t really seen anything that I might use it for. Anyone have any ideas?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I went through the articles looking for how to make the piggy bank, but did not see the information. Did I miss it?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Here you go, Wanda :-) https://jillee.co/2uVDMIq
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Made the mason jar soap dispenser x2, cause I really like them…BUT…. the lid gets rusty and looks disgusting. Tried oil to deflect the moisture in the tin but made no difference. Any advice?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.More glue! Just cover any of the parts that get rusty with glue :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use mason jars for portion control. I tend to see fruits and veggies in my fridge and scarf down the entire lot of one kind and abandon another (eat all the strawberries, leaving the apples lonely). I prepare one cup servings of each and stack alternating. I must eat from the front or top of pile first, and if any look to be over ripening, they go in the freezer for easy and quick smoothies.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is a great idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Take a clean empty canning jar and the red lid from the top of CoffeeMate non-dairy creamer (the powdered kind). The lid from the CoffeeMate fits perfectly onto the canning jar and you have a jar with a pourable spout. It’s perfect for powdered sugar, baking soda, cornstarch, etc. And since the list is practically endless, be sure to label each jar.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I almost forgot about the breathe jar. I made one a few years ago and it’s still working. That’s one of my favorite jar ideas.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have used the lid from an old Parmesan cheese container on top of a Mason jar to make homemade toilet bowl cleaner. The lid works great because you can use either the sprinkle side or the pour side of the lid.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I do the same thing and use them to store dried herbs or spices.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I save glass spice jar for my dried herbs or spices
When making chili for just two of us we always have plenty leftover for another meal. I use a 1-quart or larger pickle jar for what’s left because it’s not as wide as other containers might be and thus saves room in my refrigerator.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love this I read it every day gives me wonderful idea.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Oops. I meant decoration.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great ideas. I actually tried the Salt votives recently for Christmas. I used the glass yoplait containers. A previous decorator we used decided to bite the dust and I remembered seeing the votives. I got lot of compliments o n them from family members. Another idea I’ve used, is making adorableplanters using the tiny jars. My mom had these starters that needed to be re- potted and she had her senior friends group coming for lunch. I found the tutorial on the 36th Avenue. They turned out great.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is similar to your marinade idea: I’ve recently started making smoothies in a mason jar. I put the fruit in the jar, blitz it with my stick blender and keep it in the fridge. I can make four servings at a time and the only thing that needs washing is the tip of the blender! Delicious, nutritious and mess free!!
Love your ideas, you’re a great source of inspiration on a miserable damp, cold morning!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Make a fruit fly trap. place a banana peal in a small jar, then cover with plastic wrap, then punch 3 small holes in the plastic. If you have fruit flies they will find this trap and do not know how to get out. Works great.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What unique ideas! Thank you! I especially like the one with a spout! It would be great for homemade salad dressings, or cute dispensing of some dandelion wine! ;-)
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