This Viral Hack Will Change The Way You Open Jars Forever

We all have at least one favorite kind of food that comes in a jar with a twist-off lid. When you can't wait to get your hands on it, the scene can unfold one of two ways: twisting off the lid is easy-peasy and you can dig right in, or that vein in your neck is bulging out past its limit. Whether a jar of fruit, vegetables, queso, pickles, or marinara sauce has gotten the better of you, we have a hack that works on any stubborn jar you come across — without having to buy a single thing.

Vacuum-sealed jars are necessary for keeping foods freshly preserved until you're ready to use them, but almost nothing feels more defeating than losing to a jar of pesto sauce. Metal twist-off lids have been a universal source of angst for over seven decades. According to a study by Consumer Convenience Technologies (CCT) and NorthCliff Consultants, around 50% of people aged 25- to 74-years old have struggled at one point in their lives to open a jar. From using Martha Stewart's rubber band trick to flour to hot water to smacking the sides with a wooden spoon, there's no short supply of genius hacks for opening stubborn jars. 

Even if you're planning to turn a mason jar into a stylish match holder, first you must get into it before the creative process can start. So, when brute force isn't quite cutting it, this quick and easy method gets the job done in a blink.

Have you tried opening a jar on the countertop by tapping the metal lid all the way around against the edge of your counter? We sure have, and unless you tap it hard enough to the point where you fear the glass jar will break at any moment, it isn't the most effective way. The squeeze method is one of the super simple ways to show those pesky jars who's the boss in your home, while also never having to ask for help again. It's a great trick because it doesn't require a ton of strength either. Just lace your fingers together and squeeze both sides of the lid by applying pressure with the base of your hands until air is released, and you'll hear the lid pop. Now, twist the lid open without the serious struggle and drama.  

Not all TikTokers were successful using this method. So, if you're one of those people it doesn't work for, then grab either a classic bottle opener or a trusty can opener instead. You'll see the can opener has a sharp pointy part on the side, usually underneath the cutting wheel. Take the pointy part of the tool and slide it underneath the lid. Press the opener upward and you'll hear the lid pop. 

After you've successfully opened jars using whatever method works for you — and enjoyed their contents — don't recycle them just yet. We have a few more clever ways to reuse glass jars around the house.