eppur_se_muova solution was successful. Thanks for all suggestions.

[quaint]

Last edited Thu Feb 12, 2026, 01:08 PM - Edit history (1)

Please tell me how to unscrew a cross-threaded plastic lid on a glass jar.
Search results were not relevant.
Thanks.

[Alpeduez21]

1. I would imagine a good amount of force could do it

That might hard apply for a lot of people. Like straps and long handles on the jar and lid. Not know what the jar contains and how crucial the lid is perhaps cutting the lid at the threads and prying it off. That will most likely render the lid useless. A small screwdriver used to pry thread lid away from the threads may loosen the lid enough to get it off by twisting.

[quaint]

2. I've tried everything except cutting. Off now.

Content is my cannabis arthritis medication which I will happily transfer to a Mason jar once freed.
Thank you.

[Blues Heron]

3. Hot water could expand the lid and loosen it

[quaint]

10. Thank you.

That will be last ditch effort as I fear the contents would get wet.

[MyOwnPeace]

4. Take it back to the store!

Tell them that tRump's tarriffs have cost you more than the product is worth!

Just kidding - but good luck with your efforts............

[Lifeafter70]

7. Retired now but that has actually happened at the grocery store where I used to work

In fact I have done it myself.

[eppur_se_muova]

5. No guarantees, but worth a try -- hit the upside-down jar on a semi-hard surface a couple of times.

Turn the jar over and hit downwards as evenly as possible against a semi-hard (wood, not metal) surface. Worth repeating twice, then give up before something breaks. You can even put a towel over a hard surface like Formica, but just don't use bare metal or stone. They're not elastic enough to prevent breakage.

What you're hoping for is for the lid to briefly flex outward enough that the threads can 'jump the track' and get back in alignment. Needs the plastic to be fairly flexible, even soft.

It might help to run the lid under very hot water first.

[quaint]

13. Success!!! Channelled my frustration, banged the lid fairly hard on a towel covered wood table.

It just sort of snapped in.
Forgot to mention the lid is child-proof but is actually oldie-proof.

THANK YOU!

[eppur_se_muova]

14. If you have no children in your household, tell your pharmacist you don't need those.

Our Rx bottles have a lid which can be screwed in upside-down, making them non-childproof or childproof by choice.

[Marthe48]

6. Try a butterknife

with the blade under the lid, parallel to it. Gently pry, turn the jar and pry. Keep going under the lid that way. You should find a spot where it'll pop off.

I've noticed so many lids and plastic bottles that don't work after one use.

[quaint]

11. Been working that method, wishing I had used a butter knife, duh.

[mercuryblues]

8. Give it to my husband

And say... honey can you please open this for me?

[Floyd R. Turbo]

9. Strap wrench, rubber gloves, hot water, bottle opener, break the plastic lid!

[quaint]

12. Never heard of a strap wrench before.

Obviously, I need one in my tool kit.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

16. In a pinch a belt will do!

[applegrove]

15. Wrap an rubber elastic band around the lid.