OK, this is a weird question,but what do you use to open your jar if you can't get it open?
By snowy
@snowy22315 (202522)
United States
December 23, 2025 8:51am CST
Of course I know all the conventional methods running under hot water, tapping with a butter knife etc. but one thing I have found that works really well is gripping it with an old mousepad. They sell those jar openers with the gripping texture, because this mousepad is cool, but it is made of that, and can open any size jar. I use it at least every other week. Who knew I would get so much use out of a bank freebie?
15 people like this
14 responses
@snowy22315 (202522)
• United States
23 Dec
Hmm, interesting. I don't have an ice pick.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
24 Dec
That could be dangerous for some people. I would want the loud intact to keep the contents fresh.
2 people like this
@aninditasen (17994)
• Raurkela, India
24 Dec
I use a hand towel sometimes to open a bottle or jar.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (492661)
• Italy
23 Dec
@snowy22315 Mine is similar to this one, but more simple and it works every time.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
24 Dec
Lol, I've never thought of that before. We use grippers sold for opening jars. Similar but thinner than mouse pads.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (202522)
• United States
24 Dec
I highly recommend the mousepad but we all have ways.
1 person likes this
@porwest (111868)
• United States
24 Dec
We have a couple of devices. One is a metal antique jar opener that works very well. The other is a rubber thingy that clings to the lid and helps. Most of the time I can get them open with just my brute strength alone, but of course, we all need a little help sometimes.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (54429)
•
23 Dec
I have a grip thingy. Once in a while even that doesn’t work-my hands are not very strong anymore. If that happens, I do the hot water and then the grip thingy.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (202522)
• United States
24 Dec
@MarieCoyle I hate jars like that. It seems like the objective is for you not to get into it. It wasn't a jar but one thing that took me like 15-20 minutes to open was a plastic container of Pennzoil. It had that ring at the bottom of the neck..that simply would not come off. I had to cut it off with manicure scissors .
. It is really good that I am a resourceful person
. It is really good that I am a resourceful person1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (202522)
• United States
23 Dec
Sometimes it does take a couple of tries, but it always ends up working with the gripper mousepad.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (54429)
•
24 Dec
@snowy22315
I get upset with myself when I have to struggle hard to get a jar open. I had one the other day that I simply could not get no matter what. I ran a sink full of hot water and put the jar in it, and in about 2 minutes I got it open. Sheesh.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (167574)
• United States
24 Dec
In the last year or so I have learned to turn the jar upside down and insert either the point of the old triangular shaped can opener between the jar and the lid or use a butter knife in same location. It breaks the seal and it comes right off.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (202522)
• United States
23 Dec
Never tried that one. The mousepad with its material allows you to get a really good grip on it.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (82699)
• United States
23 Dec
They have things not unlike an old mousepad that’ll help grip the lid. They’ve given these away at the women’s vets open house, and I have four or five of them (including one that I carry with me in my iPad bag, in case I have to open something when I’m away from home).
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (202522)
• United States
23 Dec
I know they do, but most are substantially smaller and thinner than the mousepad.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (39432)
• Toccoa, Georgia
23 Dec
One of those flat jar pad things that have that gripping material. I don't know the name of it.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (202522)
• United States
23 Dec
Yep, same principle. There probably is a name for that material, but I don't know what it is.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (129140)
• Marion, Ohio
23 Dec
Glad that works for you. I have one of those rubber grip things that fits different sizes
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@snowy22315 (202522)
• United States
23 Dec
There are a few things that would probably work.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (213083)
• United States
24 Dec
I release the pressure with a bottle opener; and the lid opens right up.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (202522)
• United States
24 Dec
I haven't tried that, but I will if other methods fail.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (59767)
• Philippines
23 Dec
We used cloth. We wrapped it with a flanela and twisted the cap.
1 person likes this
