34 Ways To Reuse An Empty Glass Jar (Creative & Easy Ideas!) 

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I buy a lot of foods packed in jars, so I have a full drawer with empty glass jars.

If you are like me, and you wonder what to do with empty glass jars, look no further!

In this article, you can find 34 creative and perhaps unexpected ways to reuse empty glass jars!

Let’s jump right in.

34 Creative Ways To Reuse Empty Glass Jars:

1. Meal prep

Empty glass jars are easy to carry and are ideal for food storage, meal prep, and portioning. You can meal prep things like:

• Salad in a jar
• Overnight oats, chia puddings, and other breakfasts 
• Soups
• Smoothies
• Warm meal with legumes and cooked veggies

2. Storage for cloth napkins

Cloth napkins are great, quick cleaning options for dust or spills. They are also a much more sustainable option than paper towels. You can store the clean cloth napkins in a jar and use them when needed.

3. Storage for DIY plant-based milk

Have you ever tried to make homemade plant milk? It is the easiest thing, and it is very cheap, too.

Or, if you prefer, you can make it with nuts, too. Then, you can store the milk in a glass jar or bottle.

4. Spices storage

I bet you’ve seen tons of organized pantries with spices in jars. I probably share nothing new, but it’s a cool idea, so I added it! It looks super cute, even if the jars are different sizes and shapes.

5. Legumes/grains storage

If you buy things in bulk, you can use bigger empty jars to store dry food, including beans, lentils, rice, oats, flour, cornflakes, pasta, nuts & seeds, etc.

6. Money storage (Piggybank)

Instead of getting a piggybank, start collecting coins in a glass jar. You can seal up the top and make a hole in the lid, so you will be sure you won’t take the money out.

7. Toothbrush holder

A mason jar can be the perfect toothbrush holder. It looks minimalistic, and it is easy to clean. 

8. Utensil holder

You can separate and organize your utensils in 2-3 empty glass jars. 

9. Paintbrush holder

If you like to paint, you can use empty glass jars for holding your paintbrushes. Plus, you can use the jar for dipping the brushes in water when you paint. 

10. Reusable facial rounds

You can make your DIY facial rounds from an older cotton towel. Cut some rounds or squares from the towel, and keep them in a small mason jar. It is money-efficient and super easy.

11. Classic water bottle

Instead of buying a glass bottle, you can use an empty glass jar or bottle instead.

12. Flower vase

Use a glass jar for flowers instead of a vase. It is super cute, and economical.

13. Collecting small-items

It is a great way to organize small items just rolling in your drawers or cabinets.

Some small items you can collect in your mason jars include buttons, pins, hairbands, etc.

14. Make yogurt

Making homemade yogurt is much easier than you think! You will need canned coconut milk, a probiotic capsule, and an empty & clean jar. To try it:

• Shake the can well, then place the coconut milk in your clean empty glass jar.
• Add the probiotic, and stir well with a wooden spoon.
• Once it’s mixed, cover with cheesecloth or a thin dish towel and tighten with a rubber band. Let the magic happen for at least 24-48 hours in a warm place. The longer you leave it, the thicker it will become.

15. Store DIY products 

If you like or would like to DIY some of your personal care products, you can use glass jars to keep different homamade goods, such as:

• Toothpaste or toothpowder
• DIY mouthwash
• DIY body butter
• DIY deodorant
• DIY dry shampoo
• DIY face & body scrub

16. Soap dispenser

Instead of getting a soap dispenser, just use the old-fashioned glass jar. It is durable, rust-free, and good-looking.

You can try to look for dispenser lids in some second-hand stores, or you can find cheap soap dispenser lids on Amazon.

17. Table decor for events

You can decorate glass jars in hundreds of ways, and you can use them for decor for different events, such as Weddings, Birthdays, and Holiday parties. You can find a lot of ideas and inspiration on Pinterest.

18. DIY glass jar lamps

Glass jar lamps can be a super fun DIY project. It is ideal for both indoor and outdoor decoration.

They can be great for parties, weddings, Christmas, and an idea for a cool gift. WikiHow has a great illustrative tutorial on making glass jar lamps if you want to try it. 

19. Positivity jar

Fill up a jar with small, positive notes. Take a note every day or every time you feel a bit down. 

The jar can help you to keep a grateful, healthy mindset by emphasizing the amazing things you have in your life. It is also a great idea for a gift. 

20. Souvenir container with sand and seashells

An extremely easy and cute souvenir that you can simply use for decoration or as a gift. Collect a bit of sand or rocks and a bunch of small seashells. You can add anything that you have to make it more unique!

21. Cookie dough mixes /or bath salt mixes/

I bet you’ve seen such mixes in supermarkets. The fact is that they are super easy to make, and you can add much cooler and healthier ingredients than white sugar and flour. 

The whole concept is pretty simple: Take your jar and start layering the ingredients, to make it look prettier. The important part is to add everything except the wet ingredients.

If it’s for a gift, you can add a note with the instructions as a decoration.

22. Jar advent calendar

A quick and easy craft idea that can be ideal for holiday celebrations like Christmas! You will need at least 10 jars. 

Place a number on each of them and get creative with the decoration! You can put a small treat in each of them, like homemade cookies, a note, or a riddle. 

It will be much cooler than the one they sell in the supermarkets. Plus, less wasteful.

23. Herb garden

You can plant an indoor mason jar herb garden, succulent terrariums, or grow indoor flowers.

It is super simple, trust me! You will need: 

1. Glass jars 
2. Herbs/plants
3. Potting soil
4. Small rocks

Place the rocks first (below the soil), so the water can drain down under the soil, and the roots won’t rot. Then, fill the jars with soil, more than halfway.  

Next, carefully place the herbs in the jars and pat them down with your fingers. 

The hardest part is to keep them alive. Make sure to do further research in case you do your indoor herb garden!

24. Candle decoration

You can simply place some candles or Christmas lights and make a super cozy, warm, pretty atmosphere.

25. Terrarium 

Terrariums are easy-to-make, then require low maintenance, and best of all – they look super pretty!

You can use a mason jar to make your sweet little terrarium. You will need:

• Glass jar 
• Small pebbles 
• Potting soil 
• Small plants
• Decorations like moss and pebbles

HOW TO:

1. Fill the bottom of your jar with small rocks/pebbles (for drainage). Optional: You can place charcoal after the pebbles, which will improve the quality of the terrarium and reduce bacteria, fungi, and odors. 
2. Next, add the soil. Make sure to add enough so the plant roots have plenty of room to fit and grow.
3. Start placing your little plants. Decorate with pebbles, moss, and other natural decorations!

26. Bulk shop

Jars are my to-go when I’m shopping in bulk. I use them for oats, grains, cocoa powder, chocolate, and almost anything! 

They jingle a bit, and if I get too many, they get heavier, but that’s why I combine the jars with small bulk bags.

27. Leftovers

Jars are ideal for leftovers, even if you are eating outside. Having a glass jar with you can come in handy and reduce your food waste, which is another great benefit.

28. Cookie-cutter (the lid of the jar)

Have you ever thought about using a mason jar’s lid? Well, a suggestion is to use it as a cookie-cutter! You can make the perfect circles with it. So satisfying!

29. Growing sprouts

Sprouts are great, healthy, and flavorful additions to your salads or meals. But the store-bought always comes in plastic. 

Luckily, making sprouts at home is easy, and all you will need is: 

• a mason jar 
• sprouting seeds
• fine mesh strainer/cheesecloth 

HOW TO:

1. Place 1-2 tablespoons of the sprouting seeds in a mason jar. Cover with about two inches of warm water, and let it sit overnight.
2. The next day, use the cheesecloth to drain the water. Add water to the jar to rinse the seeds, and drain again.
3. Repeat this twice a day, every day, until your sprouts get a bigger size. It will take between 3 to 7 days, depending on the type of sprout you’re growing. 

Keep in mind that:

• the sprouts are best when they are still fairly small and just starting to turn green. 
• it is best to store them in a covered bowl
• you should use the sprouts within a week

30. Coffee cup to-go

Another dope use of a mason jar is as a “coffee cup” to-go. You can get your order in your jar instead of using single-use paper cups (that are lined with plastic and almost impossible to recycle anyway).

31. Gnat trap 

Are you sick of gnats? Then, you can use a mason jar as a “gnat trap.” All you need to do is to fill a jar with vinegar, dish soap, and warm water. Then, you should place it near your fruit basket or the gnats area.

32. “Jar” of water

Instead of buying more glasses, you can just use an empty glass jar to drink water from it.  

33. Saltshaker

A super simple way to make spice shakers. Just poke some holes with a sharp object on the lid of small mason jars. Then, use them as salt, pepper, and spice shakers.

34. Root house plants to make new ones

Cut a root node from a plant you have and then place it in a mason jar filled with clean water.

Change the water every couple of days and watch the tiny roots grow!

Pro tip: Place the jar close to the window with bright indirect sunlight.

Did I miss something? If you have interesting ideas, feel free to share them in the comments below!