I use old jars to organize the hardware in my workshop. It took me years to amass the jars necessary to build the first stage of my organizer, and I’ve finally collected enough to start stage two. Here’s what it looks like now.
The sixteen new jars will be divided among two doors that, when closed, hide the existing hardware organizer.
I use the same brand of jars so that the lids are interchangeable. But before I can hang them, I have to get the labels off. I could use mineral spirits, but the fumes give me a headache and the process is labor-intensive. Instead, I use a much simpler method that I thought I’d share.
To get the labels off almost effortlessly, you pour ¼ cup each of dish soap and liquid laundry detergent into your sink well. Then you fill the sink with enough hot water to submerge the jars.
After a few hours in the warm, sudsy bath, the labels just fall off. Any adhesive that remains can be easily wiped away with the rough face of a scrubbing sponge.
Finally, you rinse the soap off the jars and let them dry. Pretty cool, huh?
