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1. Always clean the canned jars with warm soapy water after the canning process. If there is oil or grease on the jars, try washing with white vinegar and water to cut the grease. Be careful not to submerge the jars while washing. Thoroughly dry the lids and remove the rings before storage. Removing rings is optional but will reduce the chance for rust on the lids.

2. Date and label all jars. Down the line you won’t remember what is what. Paper labels can be purchased or made using mailing labels with the computer. Another solution is using an indelible marker and writing on the lid.

3. Store jars upright out of direct sunlight in a cool area. Temperature can affect longevity and sunlight can alter color. The ideal storage temperature is between 30-70° with 40° being optimal. With every 20° increase in temperature the shelf life is reduced by half. Warm temperatures can affect jars by making fruits mushy, soft and alter flavor. Additionally, nutritional value is decreased.

4. Keep jars handy in the pantry or cupboard. When packed away out of sight jars are often forgotten and goods are not rotated which can lead to potential spoilage and loss.

5. Utilize a shelf unit in the basement or garage. Again being able to see the jars will encourage the family to eat the canned goods.

6. A word of caution. There are many areas of the country prone to earthquakes. Since earthquakes do not occur frequently, we tend to be lax on earthquake preparedness. It just takes one earth rumble to shift jars off a shelf and make a huge dangerous mess not to mention loss of hours of work. Make shelves earthquake proof by installing ties.
Solutions include:
a. Drill a hole through sides of shelving and thread webbing, wire, rope through holes and secure.
b. Attach clips to plasticized wire and clip to eye bolts.
c. Dowels can be attached to wooden shelves.
d. Hook bungee cords to eye bolts.
e. Install baby locks on cabinets.
f. Line shelves with rubberized no slip liner.

7. It is not recommended that jars be left on shelves without securing. Jars used as decorations on shelves can be secured with museum wax available at hardware stores. Do not stack jars.

8. Jars can be stacked in the cardboard boxes that they come in. Label the box on top and sides. Warning: cardboard can attract moisture which can lead to rust on lids and rings. Cardboard is also attractive to bugs and critters.

9. Jars can be stacked in food buckets. It is suggested that buckets be clearly labeled and a thin layer of petroleum jelly be applied to lids and rings to prevent rust. Oxygen absorbers can be added to buckets to keep them dry. Remember storage buckets are safe from mice but rats can gnaw through buckets. Do not stack buckets high or they will topple in an earthquake and jars will break. Buckets can also collapse if stored more than 4 levels high.

10. Simple shelves can be constructed between wall joists in unfinished rooms or garages. Measure and cut shelves to fit between the joists. Often there are walls in garages and unfinished basements where this method works well. Foam insulation or reflex tex can be secured to wall to maintain temperature consistency. Be sure to add a shelf guard to keep jars on shelves. I visited one home in which a wall had been adapted for storage of jars and cans. The sheet rock was cut away between the wall joists and shelves were installed. The sheet rock was put back with hinges, trimmed out with ¼ inch molding and secured with a magnetic pressure closure. The shelves were actually hidden behind the sheet-rock and could be accessed by pushing on the wall. This is the most creative use of space and the most inventive storage of jars I have ever seen!

11. In my home I have installed a great find from a yard sale. A wooden mail-room storage unit that was rescued from the Washington State Legislative mail-room now resides in my garage. The unit held bills as they moved from committee to committee before being voted on by the Legislature. The plywood sides were routered so that the shelves could be readjusted to fit any size and metal banding was securely fixed so that nothing can fall from the shelves. The shelves fit any size jars.
The previous owners had the unit filled with jars during the Nisqually 7.4 earthquake and did not loose one jar!
I purchased the unit that was filled with empty used jars for $75. I would guess the unit holds about 400 jars. I call this unit my wall of pride because I can see all my canned goods.

12. Once a year rotate all canned goods. Inspect jar lids to be sure the seal is still secure and there isn’t any leakage by turning them upside down. To be sure lids still tight and secure check to see if lid is concave. The lid can be tapped with a spoon and the noise should be a dull thud.

In summary, the key to long term storage of properly filled canning jars are three words: dark, cool and dry.
In ideal conditions, most contents will be good for one to several years. I can give testimony to some wonderful 13 year old peaches but that is an extreme example. If you follow the above mentioned suggestions you will have your canning jars to use over and over again and they will last many years.
The Frugal Fraulein…

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