| Just about every state has what is known as a | | | | shatter into hundreds of small pieces. These |
| "Freecycle Group" on the internet. These group | | | | broken pieces of glass could give you a very |
| members offer various household items up for | | | | nasty cut, so you would do well to play it safe. |
| others in an effort to cut down on the waste | | | | After a hand cleaning you should then place them |
| found at the local landfills. In general, these | | | | in the dishwasher and run the complete lot of jars |
| programs work out very well and the members | | | | through the rinse cycle for several good cleanings, |
| are usually self governing in that they offer just | | | | this way they are assured of them being sanitized |
| as much or more then they request. | | | | properly. |
| If you happen to be someone who is interested in | | | | Since the jars may have been sitting around for a |
| home canning of your summertime fruits and | | | | good number of years they likely have food |
| vegetables then these groups can offer you a | | | | debris built up on them as well as possible rusted |
| gold mine in canning jars. Visit your local Wal-Mart | | | | rings attached. The main object here is to avoid |
| store or any merchant that sells canning jars and | | | | that metal to class contact that could cause |
| you will readily see how much money you can | | | | scratches. Although you may be tempted to |
| save with the "Freecycle Groups" products. | | | | make use of a Brillo pad while cleaning them up, |
| The major problem involving these types of jars | | | | you should try to avoid its use when possible. The |
| is cleaning them. Frequently, a good washing may | | | | use of these types of cleaning products could |
| do the trick, however sometimes you encounter | | | | create small scratches upon the jars and |
| a collection of very stubborn jars which simply do | | | | eventually lead to breakage. In their place you |
| not want to come clean. Although you may be | | | | may wish to employ the flat, green nylon scrub |
| thrilled to obtain all these needed jars at no cost | | | | pads. |
| after attempting desperately to clean up several | | | | There is a commercial product known as |
| dozen of them you can get pretty disturbed. | | | | "Barkeepers Friend" and this item is nothing more |
| Now, you may be wondering how you would go | | | | then a mild abrasive which can easily remove old |
| about cleaning all these jars. To start with, you | | | | rust stains from just about everything imaginable. |
| should fill your sink with some very hot soapy | | | | You will find the cleaner at your local Wal-Mart |
| water and soak them until the water they are | | | | store near the Comet cleanser and related items. |
| soaking in has cooled down to room temperature. | | | | As an added bonus, you can use the "Bartenders |
| Any common dishwashing solution will work for | | | | Friend" on all your stainless steel pots as well as |
| this task. You might even wish to pour in a slight | | | | your sinks. It is safe to use on any sort of glass |
| bit of "Clorox Bleach" as well. Follow that with a | | | | product ranging from glass baking dishes such as |
| swift cleaning using a stiff, nylon dishwashing brush | | | | those from Anchor Hocking to the popular |
| on each and every one of them, making certain | | | | Corning cookware. In the event that you find built |
| to keep your hands on the outside of the jar. | | | | up rust on the necks of the jars you could use a |
| The reason I suggest that you maintain your | | | | toothbrush or a soft rag to clean them up. |
| hands outside the confines of the jars is that | | | | So as you can see it may be well worth your |
| many times these older jars become brittle and | | | | efforts to grab up on those treasures offered in |
| an accident tap from your brush may cause it to | | | | your local "Freecycle Group". |