13 Uses For Glass Jars: Creative Ideas, Crafts & More

27 Sep.,2023

 

Use these creative ideas to put your mason jar collection to good use, repurpose empty pickle jars, or both!

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 make your own soap dispenser jar top? They’re easy to make, and much less wasteful! Get the details at the link below.

Related: Make A Simple Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

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! Get all the instructions at the link below.

Related: DIY “Vintage” Mason Jars

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! Get all the details below.

Related: Blue Mason Jar Luminary – No DIY 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. ;-) Learn how to make them at the link below!

Related: How To Make A Beautiful Mason Jar Water Candle

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! Get all the details on my own herb garden below.

Related: DIY Mason Jar Herb Garden

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

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. Learn how to make your own salt votives below!

Related: DIY Salt Votives – Add Warmth And Sparkle To Your Home!

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?

Hi, I’m Jillee!

I believe we should all love the place we call home and the life we live there. Since 2011, I've been dedicated to making One Good Thing by Jillee a reliable and trustworthy resource for modern homemakers navigating the everyday challenges of running a household. Join me as I share homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make life easier so you can enjoy it more!

Every day I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

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