Whether for food, beverage, personal care, or home cleaning products choosing glass containers has many advantages for all uses. Plastic containers might seem convenient but they come with a price. Most plastics contain harmful chemicals, such as phthalates, polycarbonates, and the well-known offender BPA. If you can eliminate plastic containers from your home, you’ll be saving money, the environment, and the health of your family. As if those weren’t enough reasons to give glass a try, here are some additional advantages to consider:
Safety. Scientists no longer wonder if toxic chemicals migrate from plastic to food during microwave heating. They ask how much toxins migrate. They ask if you should use plastic to reheat foods for children or those chronically ill. Natural cleaning products and essential oils in particular can interact with plastic, while staying neutral in glass. No doubt scientists will continue to debate this matter. In the meantime, we believe it is better to be safe and get in the mindset of reusability. On this note: Glass is cleaner than plastic. Glass’s non-porous surface doesn’t absorb food or bacteria and it can be safely washed at high temperatures in your dishwasher.
Flavor. Ever notice how milk, sauces, jams, and jellies taste better when packaged in glass? The same is true of food stored at home. Food tastes fresher and cleaner when it is stored in glass. Glass’s non-porous surface repels food odors, plastic, or chemical flavors. Food reheated in glass tastes superior to food reheated in plastic.
Environment. Using glass rather than plastic reduces landfill waste. Plastic, when it can be recycled, is done so in a very inefficient process. Once you invest in glass storage containers, which can be washed, sanitized, reused, and even become decorative, your supply of storage containers takes little to maintain. With some basic care, you can use your glass containers almost indefinitely.
- Glass used for food and beverage containers is 100% recyclable and can be recycled over and over without ever losing its quality.
- Recycled glass uses 40% less energy than manufacturing new glass.
- Choosing to use glass storage can raise consciousness – an investment in glass containers can help you move from the culturally pervasive disposable mindset to a more sustainable, environmentally responsible sensibility.
Finance. Glass usually does cost more than plastic, but only at first glance. Unlike plastic, glass containers can be reused indefinitely and even passed down generationally. Stained, stinky containers do not need to be replaced which actually saves you money in the long run.
Functionality. Glass containers come with a number of other benefits because:
- They can be used from freezer to fridge to cellar to oven to table;
- Clear containers let you see what you’re storing so you can use leftovers before they spoil;
- Amber containers help block UV rays and keep essential oils, and DIY beauty products staying potent longer;
- Glass won’t react with acidic or volatile contents, and no leaching of chemicals into contents occurs, unlike with plastic;
- Can be washed, sanitized, and reused—you can safely clean glass in your dishwasher at high temperatures.
Want some more food for thought about the benefits of choosing glass, from Earth911 and the NY Times?
Using glass bottles isn’t just greener and healthier, it’s also fun! Once you begin to open your mind to using glass, you’ll be amazed at the possibilities. You can find a use for glass bottles in virtually every room of the house, from the bathroom to the kitchen to the great outdoors.
If you’re not sure where to start, here are some of our favorite ways to use glass bottles.
Cleaning
If you’re interested in making your own DIY cleaners with organic essential oils and other ingredients, a glass bottle is a must. You can reuse bottles as needed and don’t have to worry about leaks or staining. There’s also something nostalgic and empowering about taking a positive step towards protecting your family and environment from plastics and unwanted chemicals. Check out our favorite DIY cleaners you can make in a glass bottle.
All Purpose Cleaner
Mix 1 cup distilled vinegar with 1 cup of water. Add 10-15 drops of organic essential oil (try lavender, lemon, or orange). Shake well before each use.
Glass Cleaner
Mix 1⁄4 cup distilled white vinegar, 1⁄4 cup rubbing alcohol, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 2 cups water, and 10-15 drops of your favorite organic essential oils. Shake well, spray onto glass surfaces, and wipe away.
Wood Polish
Mix 2 cups of warm water with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar. Shake well before each use. Spray onto varnished wood and wipe away to reveal its inner shine.
Citrus Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Mix 14 ounces distilled water with 2 ounces distilled white vinegar, 5 drops natural liquid dish detergent, and 30 drops organic orange essential oil. Shake well, apply a generous misting of the solution to the floor, and then using a dry mop, work in two- to four-foot sections to prevent the solution from evaporating before you can mop. Repeat as often as needed.
Cooking
There are plenty of kitchen necessities you can whip up in a glass bottle that will save you money and keep preservatives and unwanted ingredients out of the heart of your home. Using a glass bottle with a spray top can replace just about anything you’re currently using with an aerosol dispenser.
Nonstick Cooking Spray
Mix 2 tablespoons of canola oil with just under a cup of water. Shake well before each use. Spray as needed in baking dishes, cake pans and more.
Marinades
Mix up your own ingredients to come up with fantastic marinades. Try lemon juice, lime juice raspberry vinaigrette, balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar and your favorite seasonings. Spray onto foods to give them a burst of flavor.
Fruit and Veggie Wash
Combine 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar and 1 cup water. Shake well and spray on produce. Let sit for a few minutes before rinsing well and drying. Store spray in refrigerator.
Beauty
We’ve all heard the stories about popular beauty products being linked to serious health concerns and more people are beginning to focus on making their own products. It can be turned into a fun hobby for the entire family and by customizing your products, you can focus on what your skin really needs to thrive.
Detangling Spray
Heat 2 cups of water until almost boiling. Add 1⁄2 cup of conditioner, mix and pour into a spray bottle. Let cool and then spray on hair as needed to help brush out knots and tangles.
Facial Toner
Mix raw apple cider with water and any essential oils, as desired. The amount of cider and type of essential oils will vary based on your skin type. Shake well and spray either on cotton balls or directly on your face (just make sure to close your eyes) for a refreshing mist that eliminates bacteria and evens skin tone.
Laundry
Before the days of bottled laundry detergent, it was common to whip up your own batch at home. Not only will making your own laundry products save you money, you can rest assured that your clothes are not only free of dirt and bacteria but also dangerous ingredients that cling to our clothes and penetrate skin.
Stain Remover
Mix 1⁄2 cup of hydrogen peroxide, 1⁄2 cup washing soda, and 1 cup water. Spray mixture onto stains, let it sit for a full 5 minutes, and then wash as normal. The sooner you spray the mixture on a stain, the better your results will be.
Aromatherapy Ironing Spray
Combine 2 cups of water with 20 drops lavender essential oil and 5 drops neroli essential oil. Shake well, spritz onto clothes, and iron as needed.
Outdoors
A day in the sun is fun for the whole family but we all need a few products to keep us safe. You can make your own and still keep your family safe from the sun and bugs.
Bug Spray
Combine 1⁄2 teaspoon of vodka, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons witch hazel, and 100 drops of organic essential oils. Try a mixture of cedarwood, lemon, lavender, citronella, and rosemary. Shake well and spray as desired.
Weed Killer
Combine distilled white vinegar with a tablespoon of salt. Spray as needed on weeds popping up between concrete or patio bricks. Keep in mind that this mixture will kill any greenery it comes into contact with so use with caution in green spaces.
