A very good friend received a Dean and Deluca sampler gift box from a relative for Christmas this year (lucky Girl!). She didn't want to throw these fabulous metal tins away, and knowing I adore recycling containers of all varieties, she sent them my direction. There were fifteen metal tins inside a heavy duty white gift box (the box is down stairs in the gift wrap tote waiting to be reused). At first glance, these little tins screamed spice jars!!! I saw some similar to these at Fred Meyers but they were around $3.00 a piece. Of course, the jars were originally covered with colorful labels. I soaked the labels off, but a very sticky residue remained.
Enter some of my favorite cleaning supplies. A spray bottle of Goof Off 2 (it's a water based cleaner), baking soda, and rubbing alcohol. Goof Off is famous for removing sticky residue. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that helped scrub the sticky mess, and rubbing alcohol to remove the last little bit of residue. Never fear, they received a good scrubbing in hot soapy water, too!
It took a little bit of elbow grease (and some wrinkly fingers ), but the tins were soon sticky free.
I made sure that the jars were completely dry before I proceeded to the second part of my project. Baking racks were the perfect substitute for a dish rack.
While the jars were drying I took inventory of my spice drawer. I tossed the spices that I had not used in a very long time (I am ashamed to admit this), made a list of spices I was almost out of (to add to the grocery list), and printed labels for the blank jars.
I am trying to eliminate plastic containers in my pantry; especially for items that will be stored to a long period of time. After each jar was labeled, it was filled with the corresponding spice. I also emptied the glass spice jars (that contained spices I rarely or never use) washed them out and refilled them with spices that I use often. Now my spice drawer is organized and easy to access. Tomorrow I will be picking up a roll of clear contact paper to cover the labels (so that they will be "water proof and wipe able).
