Comments on: Tricks for cleaning pasta sauce jar lids

Question: Tricks for cleaning pasta sauce jar lids

Constant Reader — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 17:55:49 -0800

Pasta Sauce Jar Filter: I reuse my old pasta sauce jars for pantry storage. No matter how well I clean the lid the scent of pasta sauce remains and sometimes compromises the food stored inside. Any tricks for getting the lid spickety span. Note: I have no dishwasher.

By: Gator

Gator — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 18:01:08 -0800

Do you have a friend who has a dishwasher?

By: scody

scody — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 18:04:27 -0800

Scrub, then soak in hot water/bleach for a bit?

By: ceri richard

ceri richard — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 18:05:51 -0800

Try shaking some bicarbonate of soda (I think it's called baking soda stateside?) on a damp cloth, give the lid a good rub and then a rinse in hot water and leave to dry. But I'd second the friend with a dishwasher option suggested by Gator for best results.

By: rxrfrx

rxrfrx — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 18:07:13 -0800

bleach will definitely do it, and i'd bet OxyClean will work just fine too. try baking soda if you don't have either.

By: ceri richard

ceri richard — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 18:07:45 -0800

I meant to add that the bicarbonate of soda/baking soda on a warm, damp cloth is the best way of cleaning inside of microwave ovens after "little food explosions", including tomato-based pasta sauces, hence the suggestion.

By: ontic

ontic — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 18:23:30 -0800

I used to do the same thing. I would just soak it in soapy water for a week. If I was paricularly lazy, I would just fill the lid with water and a good amount of soap and let it sit for a number of days.

By: todbot

todbot — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 18:31:55 -0800

I've had good luck with OxyClean taking the organic icky (smell/stain) out of various kitchen plastics.

By: Constant Reader

Constant Reader — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 19:20:21 -0800

OxyClean sounds like the way to go. I like the baking soda idea as well, but that doesn't help me rationalize the OxyClean purchase - which is something I've been wanting to try as everyone seems to be in love with it, and I didn't want to jump on the bandwagon.
Thanks.

By: staggernation

staggernation — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 19:38:01 -0800

Diluted vinegar [white distilled, not balsamic] is said to work wonders.

By: tastybrains

tastybrains — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 19:53:00 -0800

I second the white vinegar. It's good stuff.

By: Dr. Wu

Dr. Wu — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 20:03:30 -0800

White vinegar combined with baking soda not only gives you a nifty frothy hissy reaction, but it also really does safely and effectively scour many surfaces (unlike bleach, which I personally wouldn't use anywhere near my food).

Incidentally, this mixture can also unclog your drains, if they're gunked-up.

By: jerryg99

jerryg99 — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 20:23:56 -0800

OxyClean is worth purchasing... you can use it everywhere.. laundry, etc... I am not a model for the OxyClean commercials nor do I have any financial interest in the company. (IAMNAOxyCM). But buy a little tub for 8 bucks and try it out. It's worth it. IMHO.

By: hortense

hortense — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 20:28:01 -0800

Sunny window ledge,Sol is the bleach.

By: mecran01

mecran01 — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 09:48:46 -0800

The pickle man by our house uses vanilla on his hands. Ok, I stole that from Crossing Delancey.

By: deborah

deborah — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 13:32:47 -0800

Also: you may want to use a toothbrush to get into the nooks 'n' crannies.

By: kaiseki

kaiseki — Mon, 16 Jan 2006 18:24:10 -0800

The key here is the acid from the tomatoes reacting with the metal in the jar lid, thus producing a nasty "taint".
Boil the lid in water, remove and then, just to be sure, soak it in a solution of water and bleach. The bleach is basic (opposite of acidic) so it should cancel it out.