Saving containers for reuse is great for the environment, your wallet, and our bulk section!
Any type of container can work, from plastic yogurt tubs to shampoo bottles. We especially love glass jars and bottles — they come in a variety of shapes and sizes, are sturdy and easy to clean, and are great for food storage. While removing the label it came with isn’t required, it can help eliminate confusion over old barcodes for our cashiers, and it makes keeping the container clean that much easier since it won’t be sticky or have mushy paper from a wet label.
Removing Labels
Once you’ve used up all the product inside, thoroughly clean out the container and remove the label with these tips:⠀⠀
- Soak your containers in hot, soapy water until the label falls away and you can easily scrub off the softened glue with a firm sponge or dish brush. ⠀
- If the glue remains stubborn, create a paste out of equal parts baking soda and oil, let it set on the residue, and then scrub off.
- You can also put a few drops of lemon essential oil on a cloth and scrub away the glue that way.
Deodorizing Lids
Jars that originally held things like peanut butter, tomato sauce, or pickles are all excellent to reuse, but the foods’ strong smells tend to linger in the jar lids. Get them fragrance-free by:⠀
- Placing the lid in direct sunlight for a day or afternoon. Sunshine helps get rid of odors!
- Letting the lid soak overnight in equal parts water and white vinegar⠀
- Scrubbing the inside of the lid with a lemon rind⠀
- Applying a paste of 3 parts baking soda + 1 part water to the inside of the lid and leaving it overnight