Clean

• 1). Fill a sink with warm water and a squirt of liquid dish soap.
  
  
• 2). Submerge the old canning jars and lids in the soapy water. Use a sponge or cloth to wipe the inside and outside of the jars and lids.
  
  
• 3). Rinse well under cool running water to remove soap residue.
  
  
• 4). Towel dry the lids to ensure they don't rust. The jars can either be towel dried or air dried.
  
  

Sterilize

• 1). Place the empty canning jars, opening side up, on the rack in a boiling-water canner.
  
  
• 2). Fill the canner with enough hot water to submerge the canning jar, plus one inch.
  
  
• 3). Boil the jars for 10 minutes for elevations of 1,000 feet or lower. For higher elevations, add 1 minute to the boiling time per every 1,000 feet of elevation.
  
  
• 4). Remove the jars from the canner, and slowly drain the water.