Do you recycle your food jars or toss them straight in the trash? What about messy containers like peanut butter jars? Are they still worth the trouble to wash out? You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know how to clean out a peanut butter jar. You can be practical or more creative when removing that leftover peanut butter.
Good Old-Fashioned Soap and Water
One well-known method on how to clean out a peanut butter jar is to use a rubber spatula to scrape out the remaining peanut butter. Fill one-quarter of the jar with hot water and add a drop of dish soap. Screw the top back on and shake. This method should get the jar clean enough for the recycle bin.
A Great Use for Vinegar
Vinegar is an everyday household staple and a natural alternative to dish detergent. Pour about 1/4 cup of vinegar into the jar and add hot water. Let the jar sit for about an hour; it’s not a bad idea to shake it occasionally. When you open the lid, you’ll see the peanut butter floating in the vinegar water instead of sticking to the sides.
The Incredible Egg
Try two or three eggshells for some scrubbing action. Toss the broken shells into the dirty jar, and then fill it 1/3 full with hot water. When you shake the jar, the eggshells scrub the peanut butter off the sides. Pour the water out into a strainer to catch the shells. You might have to repeat this process once or twice.
Get the Dog Involved
Your pooch will love this idea. Give the jar to your dog to lick clean. Most dogs enjoy this kind of a treat because getting the peanut butter out with their tongue is like a game to them. Just make sure the jar opening isn’t sharp so your dog doesn’t get cut.
Tasty Solution for Humans
Why should Fido get all the peanut butter? You can enjoy the bit of leftover peanut butter without having to use your tongue. Drop a few scoops of ice cream into the jar and enjoy the combination. It might not get the jar perfectly clean, but you’ll remove more of the mess before you have to wash it out for good.
How Clean Does It Have to Be?
If you’re recycling the jar, one rinse or wash should be enough. However, you should do a more thorough cleanse if you plan to reuse the jar to store food. Peanut butter leaves oil that a single wash probably won’t remove altogether. Hot water helps because it cuts oil and grease better than cold or room temperature water. If you or anyone in your household has a nut allergy, don’t take chances. Play it safe and toss the jar in the recycle bin.