Don't Toss Empty Salsa Jars: Upcycle Them Into Pantry Storage Essentials

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Once you've scraped out the last morsel of yumminess from your salsa jar, you might be tempted to toss it into the recycling bin and move on with your life. Before you do that though, you might want to consider giving it a new purpose as a food storage container. The reasons why you should switch to glass food containers aren't exactly secrets. They are safer than plastic since they won't leach chemicals into your food. They are also more durable since they can better handle heat. In addition, they are easy to clean because they won't stain or retain odors from smelly ingredients. Of all the items you can use to organize your pantry, glass jars are one of our favorites.

Transforming your empty salsa jars into kitchen storage containers is as easy as cleaning them out and using WD-40 and acetone to remove the label and expiration date. This quick and easy hack comes from TikTok user @lewisluxuryliving, who documented the step-by-step process in a short video. If you're a creature of habit like us, and you like to buy the same type of salsa over and over again, your upcycled storage jars will all match — and there's nothing quite like uniformity when it comes to making your pantry items easy to stack and organize. By utilizing your jars for pantry organization, you'll also never have to waste money on expensive decorative jars again.

The first step is to clean out your jar to remove all the leftover salsa residue. Once you have done that, peel off the label and remove the leftover adhesive residue by applying a layer of WD-40 to it. This is a magical trick that allows you to wipe away leftover stickiness with a paper towel. Next, you'll want to remove the expiration date by applying a little acetone to it with a towel or cotton ball. This will leave you with a perfectly clear and beautiful jar. For an alternate approach to this hack, try boiling glass jars in water with vinegar and dish soap. After a few minutes, most labels will slide right off.

To make your salsa jar even more stunning, don't use the aluminum lid. Instead, pop that thing in the recycling bin and opt for DingCo reusable airtight silicone canning lids for a gorgeous topper. All that's left for you to do is put your jars to good use. They're perfect storage containers for pantry staples like pasta, beans, dried herbs, and spices. They're also fantastic for baking ingredients such as flour, sugar, and baking soda. You can even use them to safely store leftovers in the fridge. Ultimately, your salsa jars are common kitchen items you should always repurpose and reuse, since their potential value is practically limitless.