What To Do With Glass Jars: 30+ Genius Upcycling Ideas

Part 1: How to Prep Your Jars (My Secret Trick)

Before we start, you need a clean jar. I know the struggle of sticky labels!

• The Sticker Hack: If warm soapy water doesn’t work, I mix equal parts baking soda and cooking oil. I rub it on the residue, let it sit for 20 minutes, and scrub it off. It works every time.
• The Smell: To get that pickle odor out, I wash the jar and let it sit in the sun for a day.

Part 2: Bathroom Organization & Decor

I love using glass in the bathroom because it’s easy to clean and looks like a high-end spa.

DIY Soap & Sanitizer Dispensers

I wanted to buy bulk soap to be eco-friendly, but I didn’t want the ugly plastic bottles on my counter.

• The Fix: I grabbed a Mason jar, filled it with Castile soap (or hand sanitizer), and screwed on a soap pump lid I found on Amazon. Get your pump kit on Amazon
• My Decorating Test: I didn’t just want plain jars, so I tested three ways to decorate them:
  • Paint Pour: I swirled 3 colors of acrylic paint over a jar for a marbled look.
  • Faux Stained Glass: I mixed Mod Podge with food coloring and coated the jar.
  • Farmhouse Style: I used white chalk paint, sanded the raised letters to distress it, and tied a twine bow.
  • [See the Full Tutorial: DIY Hand Soap Dispensers]

Vanity Organization (Tiered Tray)

I found a 2-tiered tray at Dollar Tree and realized it was perfect for jar storage!

• Q-Tips & Cotton Balls: I use small jelly jars to keep these dry and accessible.
• Makeup Brushes: I filled a taller jar with coffee beans (you can use beads) to hold my brushes upright.
• Hair Accessories: I found a vintage jar for $1 at a thrift store and filled it with my scrunchies.

Pro Tip: Here you can see I used my glass jars to hold makeup brushes, toothbrushes, herbs, soap dispenser, cottonballs, etc. If you want to decorate your glass jar like I did, you can find the full tutorial on my blog post Painting Mason Jars and Distress Them Easily with Video

Homemade Hand Scrub

I don’t just store things in jars; I make things in them! I mix salt, avocado oil, and lemon juice to create an [Easy Homemade Hand Scrub] that sits right next to my tub.

Epsom Salt Storage

I grabbed a large glass canister from Dollar Tree, filled it with Epsom salts, and keep it by the bathtub for a relaxing soak.

Baking Soda Deodorizer

This is one of my favorite cleaning tricks. I fill a standard Mason jar with baking soda. Then, instead of a regular flat lid, I screw on a special Ball Sprinkling Lid (you can buy these inserts online or at stores like Target).

• Trash Cans: I sprinkle it easily into the bottom of my garbage cans to absorb odors.
• Sinks: It’s perfect for scrubbing out a stainless steel sink.
• Bathroom Odors: I leave the jar open (or the flap up) and hide it behind the toilet. It acts as a great natural odor eater!

The “Parmesan Lid” Hack

Speaking of lids, did you know that the plastic shaker lid from a store-bought Parmesan cheese container fits perfectly onto a standard Mason jar?

• The Hack: Don’t throw those green or black lids away! Wash them and screw them onto a glass jar to create a free, upcycled shaker for things like homemade pizza seasoning, red pepper flakes, or glitter in your craft room.

Kitchen Utensil Organization

I got tired of digging through messy drawers. I grabbed a wide-mouth jar and placed my spatulas, whisks, and wooden spoons inside. I keep it right next to the stove so it is easy to grab exactly what I need while cooking.

Dish Soap & Detergent

• Liquid: I pour my giant refill bottle of Dawn into a large Mason jar with a pump. It looks so much prettier by the sink.
• Tablets: When the lid to my dishwasher tablets broke, I moved them all into a wide-mouth glass jar.

Seasoning & Spices

I buy spices in bulk to save money. I label small jars (using my label maker) and use those handy shaker lids. I even make my own seasoning salt!

Get the supplies on Amazon:

• Buy the shaker lid
• Buy the label maker

Zero Waste Grocery Shopping

Did you know you can bring Mason jars to the grocery store?

• How it works: Take your clean jars to the counter before you shop. They will weigh them (tare weight) so you don’t pay for the glass.
• Fill them up: Go to the bulk section and fill them with nuts, oats, honey, or flour. It is completely eco-friendly and saves you from using plastic bags!

Glass Food Storage

I use jars for everything in my pantry and fridge. It lets me see exactly how much I have left so I don’t overbuy.

• Dry Goods: Rice, grains, and pasta.
• Liquids: Homemade salad dressings and leftover pasta sauces.

The “Leftover” Microwave Hack

I stopped using plastic tupperware. I store leftovers in jars in the fridge. When I’m ready to eat, I remove the metal lid, cover the top with a paper towel or paper plate, and microwave it. The glass handles the heat perfectly.

Bulk Snacks & Treats

I found a cute jar at a thrift store and filled it with peppermints for the kitchen table. I also use jars to create a “Snack Station” with granola bars, nuts, and fruit for the family to grab-and-go.

Creative Table Settings

For dinner parties, I place silverware and a napkin inside a Mason jar for each guest. It’s a cup and a utensil holder in one!

Ice Bucket & Coffee Pods

• Ice Bucket: I use an extra-large pickle jar filled with ice to cool wine or beverages.
• Coffee Station: I reused an old Planters Peanuts jar to hold my coffee pods next to the Keurig.

Part 4: Office & Keepsakes

Collections & Keepsakes

• Piggy Bank: I use a jar with a slotted lid to store my collection of pressed pennies from my travels.
• Vacation Memories: I’ve filled jars with sand and shells from specific beach trips to keep the memory safe.
• Terrariums: My daughter made a self-watering terrarium in a jar with a cactus. It just sits in the sun and thrives!

Office Organization

Jars are the ultimate desk organizer.

• Supplies: I use them to hold pens, markers, and scissors to keep my desk clear.
• Loose Items: They are great for small hardware (nails, screws) or sewing supplies (buttons, ribbon).

Mantel Decor: Painted Candle Holders

This is a great way to get a high-end look using thrift store finds.

• The Build: I found old mismatched candle holders at a thrift store and painted them to match my living room.
• The Assembly: Using E6000 glue, I glued Mason jars to the tops of the candle holders.
• The Light: I added solar fairy lights inside and set them on my mantel. They charge during the day (if near a window) or I can just switch them on for a beautiful glow.
• [See the Tutorial: Mason Jar DIY Lights Easy and Beautiful]

If you don’t want to use solar lights indoors, here are three other ways to light up those jars on your mantel:

• Option 1 (Velcro): I grab a battery-operated fairy light pack and use a Velcro strip to stick the battery pack to the underside of the Mason jar lid. The lights hang down inside, and the battery pack is hidden!
• Option 2 (Tea Light): Simply drop a battery-operated tea light into the bottom.
• Option 3 (Seasonal): Stick a window cling (like a snowflake or leaf) onto the jar to cast cool shadows.
• Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments. Another mason jar option?

The “Pop Light” Hack

This is the easiest one. I bought a battery-operated “pop light” (puck light) from Dollar Tree and placed it inside a thrift store jar.

• Option A: Place the light facing UP at the bottom of the jar.
• Option B: Stick the light to the underside of the lid facing DOWN.
• Which do you prefer? Let me know in the comments!

Solar Walkway Lights

I used E6000 glue to attach dollar store solar lights to the top of thrifted candlesticks. Then, I placed blue Mason jars upside down over the lights. They line my walkway and glow beautifully at night.

• [See the Tutorial: Mason Jar Solar Light Sidewalk]

The “Tuna Can” Patio Light

This is one of my wildest ideas! I took a broomstick handle, hammered it into the ground, and glued a painted tuna can to the top. A Mason jar fit perfectly inside the tuna can! I added solar fairy lights, and it became a sturdy outdoor torch.

• [See the Tutorial: Super Easy Dollar Tree Candle Holders]

Seasonal Candle Holder

I grabbed one of these inserts. Dollar Tree sells a variety of them to make bouquets, potpourri burners and more. I placed it in a jar and then I added a window cling to it.

What To Do With Jars Video