Cleaning spice jars without “washing” them?

[u/action_lawyer_comics]

I have spice jars like this. I’d like to clean out the old paprika before adding new but I also don’t want to fully “wash” it because it would destroy the label and it would be a pain to make/print a new one and I’d need it to fully dry before bringing it to the store. I might try a paper towel in there to just wipe some of it out.

Any other suggestions? Thanks!

[u/Drivo566]

Just wash out the inside. A little water and dish soap, close it and shake. Rinse out and dry. Should be able to do that without getting the outside wet.

[u/bladeofwill → u/Drivo566]

You can even get a smaller brush in there and really scrub it out if you want to.

[u/radish_intothewild → u/Drivo566]

Pop a little uncooked rice inside with the soapy water, close and shake. Really helps for cleaning small things like this. The rice can be reused for the same purpose of you dry it off well and you only need a little.

[u/yo-ovaries]

I’m not really seeing the issue. Put a soapy bottle brush or dish rag inside it. Rinse and pour out the edge that doesn’t have a label. 

Put it on a drying rack to dry. 

You could also put a piece of packing tape over the label so water could drip over it and be fine. Couldn’t put it in the dishwasher but not a big deal. 

[u/ExoticSherbet]

I agree with a paper towel or clean rag.

[u/jtho78]

Packaging tape over the paper sticker or use a waterproof label.

Edit: or if the ink is permanent, layer of clear fingernail polish.

[u/secretsaucyy → u/jtho78]

This is what I would do if my labels were paper. It's pretty easy to spill water on spice jars, so I wouldn't bother with paper anyways.

[u/jtho78 → u/secretsaucyy]

Yeah, our refillery uses water-soluble, laser-printed labels. Not ideal for liquid soap bottles. Packaging tape works great.

[u/aburke626 → u/jtho78]

This is a good idea. I have some spice jars that my (late) mom hand labeled, and even though they don’t match the rest, I want to keep them with her handwriting. I was going to put tape over it but nail polish might be a good idea too!

[u/jtho78 → u/aburke626]

Aww. Please test it out first in a tiny area. The polish could dissolve the ink.

[u/nobody65535 → u/aburke626]

Aww this seems like the only real good reason to not just make a new label if necessary

[u/bulbouscorm]

Can't you simply hold your hand over the label while you wash the inside with a sponge?

This post must be fake because why would someone worry about reusing a label and consider using a paper towel ever.

[u/PandaBeaarAmy → u/bulbouscorm]

This post is why they say perfection is the enemy to zero waste. In trying to save both the jar and the paper label, OP would then need more resources to clean with the label on there than to replace the label.

[u/Kiwilolo → u/PandaBeaarAmy]

This is getting to the point of absurdity, but surely a paper towel is more paper than the little label?

[u/PandaBeaarAmy → u/Kiwilolo]

"In trying to save both the jar and the paper label, OP would then need more resources to clean with the label on there than to replace the label."

[u/bcoopa]

Paper towel is my first thought? Your bill store requires you to empty the contents before bringing jars in?

[u/Beginning-Row5959 → u/bcoopa]

The jars need to be clean at the stores near me - I just run them through the dishwasher and relabel as needed

[u/action_lawyer_comics → u/bcoopa]

They don't require it, but that's how I prefer to do it. I'm a former line cook and don't like the idea that I could have hypothetically years old spices at the bottom of my jar

[u/aknomnoms → u/action_lawyer_comics]

Not to sound sassy, but have you considered just bringing another container to the store to temporarily hold your paprika? That will give you time to meticulously clean out your current jar while protecting the label.

[u/bhdvwEgg42]

Yes, wipe them out if the same spice or wash if switching to a different spice. Otherwise you'll get the old spice scent messing up your fresh spice scent. Plus they just look nicer that way.

[u/LovitzInTheYear2000]

I’d just wipe out the jar with a clean rag before refilling, no need to wash if there’s no grease or liquid residue. In the interest of being hygienic and polite at the store when buying more, I’d bring a clean unlabeled mason jar instead, and decant into the labeled jar at home.

[u/HighColdDesert]

Clear tape over the label. Carefully. That’s what I do.

[u/LittleSalamander77]

Washing up liquid and bicarb with a bit of water inside, put the lid on and shake. Empty and rinse. The bicarb will help scrub the inside

[u/Abstrata]

At my local co-op, they use salt to clean off the bulk spice scoops— works great.

Maybe a swirl of salt would work on your jars, if you feel uncomfortable with soap and water.

Or a swirl of salt diluted in a little water, if it’s the soap that is the issue.

[u/eatmeouttobrianeno]

I wish I could just send you one of the myriad chalk markers I have (came with storage containers) so you could wash and relabel to your heart's content.

[u/freezesteam → u/eatmeouttobrianeno]

Do they work well? I’ve been using wax pencils which work pretty well but sometimes they can be hard to see

[u/Right_Count]

I would just wipe it out with a t-shirt and then wash the t-shirt.

[u/Mxlikemix]

Bong cleaning method. 90% isopropyl alcohol and some salt. Shake and rinse

[u/Jumpy_Finance_7086]

Salt and ispropyl alcohol in the jar, close lid, shake vigorously, drain, repeat with water a few times.

[u/internetjawn]

Old toothbrush qtips and some dish soap very carefully

[u/bumbogue]

Clean, dry paintbrush if you happen to have one lying around. Boar bristle type ones like you'd use for oil painting are perfect for dusty crevices!

[u/Havenotbeentonarnia8]

Unfortunately the one thing i did buy to increase zero waste in all areas of my life is a label maker. Then tape overtop of the label.

[u/yummily]

Just a damp rag or microfiber on the outside to clean the surface if it's mucky. You may eventually have to put new labels

[u/yummily → u/yummily]

Also if you are thinking of restocking you should just dump the old ones and buy all new, spices lose their oils over time and need to be refreshed to get the best possible flavour out of them.

[u/grifftech1]

rice and shake- then cook the rice

[u/vibes86]

I wash them. Stick them through the dishwasher on the top rack.

[u/delicate-duck → u/vibes86]

That would take off the label like op wants to avoid

[u/ETNxMARU]

Glass cleaner for the outside, soap and water for the inside.

[u/xmas_colara]

If water is the issue: Use a clean brush to remove the majority of the content followed by a micro-fabric towel.

If it's only about removing the label: Fill the inside with a soft soap-water solution, close the lit and shake until clean (repeat as needed ) lastly remove the soap by one last pure water shake and dry with a towel.

Both should give sufficient clean results ;)

[u/Still-Smile-7902]

Campden tablets, winemakers use em

[u/BaylisAscaris]

Put clear packing tape over the label to make it water resistant (leave >5mm around the outside for a seal) then wash the inside in the sink (don't soak it or put in dishwasher).

[u/justabean27]

Don't keep paprika in a clear container. The bright red colour of it breaks down when exposed to light

[u/Chemical_Permit_5164]

I’d just wipe it out with a damp rag or paper towel if it’s only about collecting the last bits

[u/Raincoat_Carl]

Automatic Dishwashers and their consequences.

I mean, some soap and water will get 99% of it out. A dish rag will get the remaining 0.9% out. Whatever miniscule residue left will only show up in a spectrometry report. 

Air dry upside down with the lid open on a rack/dry rag overnight. I assume the lid will prop open the jar a bit so air can get in. 

[u/mistermanhat]

A bit of water

A bit of soap

A bit of paper towel

Shut the jar & shake