How to Open a Tightly Closed Jar

Rubber house cleaning gloves will help open a jar.

A tightly closed jar is frustratingly difficult to open, but it doesn't mean you cannot enjoy the contents. If you don't have the muscles of Atlas, there are other methods you can use to easily open jars with tight fitting lids. Here are three methods. Does this Spark an idea?

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Butter knife
Kitchen counter or other hard surface
Thick rubber band
Rubber kitchen gloves

Instructions

Hit the Edge
- 1
  
  Hold a butter knife in your right hand. Hold the jar firmly in your left hand.
- 2
  
  Hit the back side of the knife against the surface of the jar lid three times. Hit it on an angle, tilting the knife slightly so you are hitting the lid toward the direction that the jar unscrews, which is counterclockwise.
- 3
  
  Put the knife down and open the jar lid. If it's still tight, hit it again two times with the knife.
Countertop Slam
- 4
  
  Find a position on the kitchen counter away from the sink. Turn the jar upside down and hold it firmly in your dominant hand.
- 5
  
  Slam the jar down on the counter top three times.
- 6
  
  Open up the jar with your hand. If it is still tight, slam it on the counter three more times, then open it.
Rubber Gloves
- 7
  
  Place a thick rubber band around the outside of the jar. Put on a pair of heavy rubber gloves that are the type usually used to wash dishes or clean the house.
- 8
  
  Tightly grip the jar lid and turn the lid counterclockwise. The rubber will grip on the lid and make it easier to get a good grip to turn.
- 9
  
  Remove the lid once you have loosened it with the rubber gloves.