There are diverse ways that you can make use of glass bottles, each one bound to bring out the best in the choice of glass bottle. At Southern Jar, we offer you a variety of glass bottles to choose from in size and purpose. However, to continue getting the best and most from your choice of glass bottle, you need to maintain it properly. Here are a few ways to ensure that your glass bottles stay with you for the longest time possible.
Storage
Glass is a delicate material. Its delicate, fragile nature is its main appeal. However, this too is its main weakness. Some glass bottles, like our juice and milk glass bottles, may have a lower density than, say, our beer and cider bottles, which might be thicker. This then predisposes the lighter glass bottles to breaking easily. It also makes it easier for their surface to be damaged by grazing on rough surfaces. How you store your glass bottles will, therefore, highly determine how long they survive, and the quality they maintain.
It is best to keep glass bottles in spaces that are clear of sharp edges and roughly-surfaced objects. Damp areas also cause the formation of mould on glass bottles, especially the ones used for storing perishable goods like milk. As such, ensure that you store your glass bottles in a clean, dry space. On the same breath, before storing away a glass bottle, ensure that it is nice and dry to avoid the same from happening.
Cleaning
Nothing can survive without a regular, good cleaning. Glass bottles can harbour bacteria and slime if not properly cleaned. The worst of it is that most of these form a layer inside the glass bottle, robbing it of its pure, elegant look. You need to ensure that you clean out your glass bottles regularly and immediately after use.
The best way to clean a glass bottle is by using warm water and dish soap with a mild-bristle bottle brush. Some common off-the-shelf bottle brushes may turn out to be rough on the glass bottle, thus scarring it and leaving it with a foggy-scratched inside. This demands you use your hands as opposed to tossing them in the dishwasher.
For sticky residues, like those left in syrup and sauce glass bottles, you can use more creative alternatives to get the grime out. One great yet effective hack is the use of rice grains and some soda. Dry rice creates a nice brush that, when softened by the soda water, thoroughly cleans out all residue without scratching the inner surface of the glass. Of course, it's better when you have to clean out many bottles at a go, as you will get more use out of the rice.
Decorating
Unlikely as this may seem, decorating your glass bottles is a great way of preserving them. Most glass bottles end up being used for anything and everything. However, when you decorate your glass bottles, they gain a specific use, making them less useful. Take, for instance, our line of wedding favour bottles. Each of these can be decorated and kept as a memento for the occasion, ensuring that what the bottle is used for specifically works to feed that memory. Also, most decorative ideas include the use of fabric or paper on the glass bottle. This in itself works to preserve the glass as it covers the glass jar, making it less likely to break or get scarred by external substances.
No matter the generation, glass bottles will never go out of style. And whenever you need more, Southern Jar will always be here to fulfil all your glass bottling needs!