The Many Uses of The Mason Jar
Here is a list of the various ways I use the mason jar around my home!
They’re sturdy, non-toxic, and versatile containers, making them perfect for the kitchen and other areas of the home. Plus they replace a lot of plastics you may be using, so they’re great for the environment.
I have a big drawer dedicated to just all my mason jars & I go into that drawer literally at least 5 times a day!
You can customize them to fit your home aesthetic! You can paint them (tutorial here on the distressed look), label them with cute labels, and decorate with burlap and string
If you already have a ton of mason jars laying around, like me, then I hope you find some inspiration here for different ways to use them!
And if you don’t have a ton of them laying around, you can get them everywhere (the best prices by far are at Walmart.)
Here are the 4 sizes I own & will be referring to in this post:
My Favorite Ways To Use Them
In The Kitchen
Drinking glasses
I use the mason jar in it’s standard 16oz size as my daily drinking glasses at home with a reusable straw. They’re also perfect for cocktails and iced coffee!
Food Storage in Pantry
Mason jars are great for dry foods in your pantry. I personally keep a lot of my baking ingredients in mason jars, and have them labelled with these cute chalkboard labels.
They are also great for various snacks like pretzels and nuts, so you can buy them in bulk!
Food Storage in Pantry
I use mason jars like 90% of the time for leftovers to keep in the fridge. They easily replaces plastic tupperware, ziploc bags, and the plastic wrap you put over bowls.
See my blog post here for more ways to significantly reduce the use of plastics in your home!
Smoothies
MIND BLOWN! Did you know the mason jar opening fits perfectly into most blender blades, so you can pop it straight onto your blender base and then drink your smoothie right out of your mason jar.
Super easy! You can even prep ahead of time to save time in the morning.
To-Go Meals
Mason jars make for really awesome to-go meals. Toss a bunch of ingredients for a salad, rice bowl, etc. Bring it with your reusable utensils to work, and voila!
Easy lunch that’s great for the environment because your not throwing anything away. Click here for some great ideas on mason jar lunches.
Coffee & Tea Bar
I have my coffee & tea area in my kitchen organized with a bunch of mason jars. They are also labelled with the cute labels from my label maker.
It’s keeps it organized so it’s easy for guests to help themselves & easily find what they need. Plus it’s super adorable!
Kitchen Utensil Storage
MIND BLOWN! The standard opening of mason jars fit perfectly into most blender blades, so you can pop it straight onto your blender base and then drink your smoothie right out of your mason jar. Super easy!
You can even prep ahead of time to save time in the morning.
Measuring Device
The mason jar is labelled on the outside, so I use a standard 16oz size as my measuring device in the kitchen. It’s naturally labelled for 2-4-6-8-10 ounces (1/4 cup is 2 ounces; 1/2 cup is 4 oz and so on.
It’s also labelled in milliliters if you prefer that form of measurement.
Food Shaker
You can buy shaker tops like these that fit the rim, and use them for foods like flax seeds, chia seeds, spices, etc while you’re cooking.
In The Bathroom
Toothbrush Holder
We keep one on our bathroom counter for our toothbrushes. Simple, cute and functional!
Makeup Brushes
Same thing with makeup brushes! I spray painted the rims rose gold to add a cute, feminine touch!
Cotton Balls/Swabs/etc.
The mason jar in its smallest size makes for super cute storage for your smaller bathroom items like cotton balls and cotton swabs.
Cleaning
Soap Dispenser
Another great environmentally friendly swap in. your home. Plus over time it saves you a money.
Spend a few bucks on a pack of soap dispensers lids, and put them on mason jars. Then fill them with hand soap and put them by all the sinks in your home.
Buy your soap in bulk so you can just keep refilling each dispenser when it runs out, instead of buying a new single soap dispenser each time. Saves money AND plastic!
Spray Bottle
I love this top that screws onto a mason jar. I like to use my own DIY cleaner for surfaces & windows (vinegar, water & essential oil)
It’s insanely cheaper than buying cleaner the store, plus it’s nontoxic in glass over plastic, which is important to me as a mom.
Plus it’s better for the environment because you’re not constantly buying your cleaner in plastic bottles.
Sponge Holder
So simple, so cute!
Sometimes it’s just the little things in life.
Home Decor & Miscellanenous
Herb Garden
I haven’t done this yet, but I just love how this little herb garden looks in these mason jars! So cute! Click here for the tutorial I found on Pinterest.
Vases
I mostly just use mason jars as my vases around my home. So cute & simple!
Display Jars
I love to fill the mason jar with pretty much anything, and just display it on counters and shelves. It can be functional, like for pens on your desk. Or it can just be pretty, like seashells or sea glass.
Spare Change Jar
We keep a large mason jar on the counter with the opening exposed, and we throw all our spare change in it!
Candles
You can buy wax and melt it yourself, or you can reuse the wax in your store-bought candles when the wick runs out. You can buy candle wicks here.
You can always reuse your candle jars too for other things in your home – pop them in the freezer to easily get out any remaining bits of wax – it’s easy to get out the wax when it’s frozen!
DIY Gifts
I love using the mason jar for a DIY innovative gift, instead of using wrapping paper or gift bags. It’s great if you’re gifting multiple people because you can buy in bulk and make several at the same time.
Some of my favorite ideas are: candles, homemade bath salts, cookie mix & recipe, and homemade sewing kit.
Parties & Hosting
Center Pieces
I use a ton of mason jars ad decor when I host dinners, holidays, or parties.
One way is as an effortless centerpiece on the table. Either as vases with some flowers, or I fill them with something fitting for the holiday/occasion. There are lots of ways to make it your own!
(BRIDES: these makes a really affordable centerpiece for your wedding tables!)
Silverware Holder
I also use the mason jar to hold silverware on tables!
Serving Dishes
I use the x-small jars for serving dishes for butter, sauces etc with a little spoon. I also love using the small size for finger foods like veggies, nuts and crackers. They look so nice on the table with no effort at all!
Thank you for reading!
I honestly thought that would be a quick post – HA! There are just so many different ways to use mason jars.
I would love to hear how you use them in your home! What did I miss on this list? Share in the commets!
Meet the Writer
Hi, I'm Teresa!
Thank you for taking the time to read my little space on the internet. I’m a digital creator, blogger & environmental advocate.
1 COMMENT
Kelly | Pjs and Paint
1 year agoI LOVE mason jars! Thanks so much for including my cookie mix in a jar! 🙂