Don’t get me wrong–I love pickles.  I love the smell of pickles.  It’s a smell that’s perfect for pickles.  Or jalepenos.  Or pickled asparagus.  But not for anything that has absolutely no relation to pickledness.

I’ve stared down many a potentially perfect jar that carries with it the fatal pickle stink flaw.

There has to be a sure fire answer for this one.  Some say Dishwasher!  Or Baking Soda!  Or Vinegar!  (Odd….getting rid of a vinegar smell with vinegar.)  I know for a fact that merely sticking the offender in the dishwasher won’t work.  If that worked, all the free jars at the Co-op would not smell like pickles and salsa.

We’ve tried rubbing baking soda on the lid with a little success, but I don’t think we were giving it a valiant enough effort.

Here are some suggestions that are simple enough to try with ingredients found around the house:

• Mix equal parts water and vinegar, fill jars, and let stand overnight.  Rinse.
• Fill the jar with crumpled newspaper, which should absorb the odor overnight.
• Boil the jars and lids in a mixture of water, dish detergent, and a bit of rubbing alcohol.  Rinse thoroughly.
• Put the jars and lids out in the sun.
• Rub essential oil on the lid, close the jar, let sit for a few days.
• Put untreated charcoal briquettes in the jar  and let sit for a few days (this also works with moth ball stink).
• Pour enough vodka into the jar to cover the lid when the jar is inverted.  Shake it around once in awhile and let sit overnight.

And of course there is one sure fire way:  just open it up and let it sit.  Time always manages to do the trick.

Which one works best for you?  I’ll be waiting out in the sun by the bbq, vodka drink and newspaper in hand.