Using Recycled Jars for Preserves #DDDHMC

We're back again after a couple of weeks off with Diddle Diddle Dumpling's Home Made Christmas! And with only 2 months to go(!!) it's time to get making. This week is all about recycling jars for our previous (& future) jam & chutney recipes (click here to see them); not only is it great for the environment but it's also great for the purse strings! Ask your friends & family to keep hold of any old jars for you, or if that's not possible, simply buy some value jam (generally less than 50p) and use them instead - & why not use the jam to make some cake or biscuits in the meantime?

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Removing Labels. I have a fear of sticky things. Ok, that's a bit of an exaggeration. It's not so much a fear but sticky things that are dirty (used plasters, scraps of sellotape, old stickers...) gives me major heebie-jeebies. So when a label comes clean off in one fell swoop, I let out a little sigh of relief. Unfortunately, this rarely happens.
When you're left with that lovely sticky residue there's a couple of things that will help. Depending on how stubborn the residue is, some hot soapy water might just be enough. If not, grab some acetone (the same stuff you use to remove nail polish & false nails) and give it a good wipe. Your sticky mess should come off with ease & just give another wash to remove any streaks on the glass.

Spray Paint Lids. This is such a simple step but it makes such a huge difference. Give you lids a good clean, pop them on a piece of newspaper & in a well ventilated area, then spray away! You'll probably need to do at least two coats, as it's difficult to get an even finish in one spray, but depending on your chosen colour (I like a simple black) you may get away with just one. Just be sure to let your lids dry completely before touching or moving them, otherwise you'll scar them with your finger prints! And top tip; if they end up stuck to your newspaper, give them another wash before sterilising & the newspaper will clean right off.

Sterilising. You should always 100% of the time sterilise your jars & lids, but when using recycled jars, it's even more important. As jams & chutneys are generally kept for a long period of time, it's essential that the jars they're stored in are clean & free of dirt, to prevent any mould forming & spoiling your preserve.
There is various different ways to sterilise jars but my favourite way is in the oven. After washing your jars in some hot, soapy water, pop them onto the oven shelf on top of some baking parchment - lids off! Switch the oven on at around 100°c and leave your jars there until ready to fill. I tend to pop them in just as I'm starting my jam/chutney, giving them plenty time to sterilise.

DIY Labels. Time to get creative! Whatever your style, the quickest & easiest way to transform a recycled jar & personalise them to suit your contents is with a beautiful label. If you're crafty, why not have a go at designing your own labels? The possibilities are truly endless. And if you're not so crafty, fear not; Pinterest offers literally hundreds of printables. I'm still torn on how my final labels will look but I particualrly love the idea of something simple on brown paper, with a festive flare!

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And there you have it folks, some simple steps to getting your started with Diddle Diddle Dumpling's Home Made Christmas jams & chutneys. Whether you choose to use recycled jars for environmental or financial reasons, you can't really go wrong! As always, be sure to use the hashtag #DDDHMC on your social media of choice so I can see what creative home made gifts you're whipping up and to follow the progress of all the other Home Made Christmas creations I'll be sharing too.

Happy making!

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