For the longest time I had a love/hate relationship with repurposing and reusing empty containers. While I loved being able to give empty bottles and jars new life by finding some other way to use them, I also hated how hard it was to remove those impossibly stubborn labels attached to them!
Over the past decade of my blogging career, I’m sure I’ve tried nearly every method under the sun for removing labels from glass jars and containers. I’ve mixed up dozens of potions and concoctions in my attempts to remove that sticky combination of paper and glue, but as is often the case, it turned out that the best solution was also the simplest one!
And I’ll be sharing my super simple method for how to remove labels from jars, bottles, and other glass containers here in today’s post. Hopefully this quick and easy method will make us all more likely to repurpose our glass instead of throwing it out! :-)
My Secret Weapon for Removing Labels From Glass
It turned out that the solution to my problem of how to easily remove labels was already in my laundry room cupboard: OxiClean! Just one scoop of OxiClean and some warm water is all you need remove the labels from a whole batch of jars, bottles, or other glass containers.
Not only is it among the most effective methods I’ve tried, but it’s by far the easiest one! The OxiClean does all of the hard work for you, and you just sit back and watch those stubborn and sticky labels slide right off!
To learn about other useful things you can do with OxiClean around the house, check out this post!
How to Remove Labels From Glass
You’ll need:
- Sink stopper
- Gloves
- OxiClean
Directions:
Start by gathering the glass items whose labels you want to remove. Place a sink stopper in your sink’s drain, add a scoop of OxiClean, then start filling your sink with warm water.
Turn off the water when the water level in the sink is high enough to cover your bottles. Place the glass into the Oxiclean solution, and allow it to soak there for about 30 minutes.
After half an hour, come back and check on the labels. (Put your gloves on first though—OxiClean can really dry out your skin!)
The labels may have fallen off the glass at this point, or you may only have to peel them off. Either way, you shouldn’t have any trouble washing away the remaining residue!
Then just give your glass items a quick rinse, dry them off, and they’ll be ready to reuse in whatever way you see fit! :-)
What About Other Types of Containers?
While this is by far the best method I’ve used for removing labels from glass containers, other methods may work better on other types of containers. Get all my best tips and tricks for removing labels and other types of stickers from all sorts of surfaces, check out this blog post.
More Ideas You'll Love
What sort of containers do you like to reuse or repurpose?
May be: Fill the bottle with warm water and sink in a bigger pot with hot water + washing soda, no need whole sink, but thanks for very clever idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I am always on the outlook for glass bottles of all sizes/shapes/etc as I make homemade Irish Cream for XMAS gifts. I’ve been know to ‘sift’ through my friends trash cans…LOL This tip will definitely be used in my kitchen as I ‘collect’ these glass objects. Thanks so much.
CHEERS,
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Do you think this would work on binders? I have about 50 I would like to repurpose at work. New they run about $6.00 a piece.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I wouldn’t submerge a binder in water. Basicly they are just stiff cardboard covered in plastic. If they have any perforations it will ruin the binder. I would soak a rag in the mixture and lay it on the label.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can use your hair dryer to remove labels. Just run it over the label for a few seconds then it should peel off pretty easily. There may still be some residue but no paper left behind (if there is you need to heat the label longer before peeling). The heat from the hair dryer loosens the glue on the label allowing it to peel off really easy.
To get the sticky residue off you can use a little rubbing alcohol on a wash cloth and that will take it off without having to scrub too hard.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I also use the dry or wet heat method to get the labels off …
….BUT….
I don’t always remove the GOO! Depending on what I end up putting in it, I might need to put another label on, and the goo works great to keep it on – in addition to the adhesive on the labels, or I can print on plain paper and it still sticks.
Bonus Tip:
I often print my labels on GLOSSY paper with my Epson printer. Those turned out to be WATERPROOF – much to my delight! Now I can make labels that stay on, and don’t smear! Before that, I had to put clear packing tape over the labels to keep them from fading away.
I have had really good results using coconut oil to remove labels, especially from plastic and those that leave really stubborn residue. Trader Joe’s coconut oil spray that works especially well. I spray it on let it sit and rinse it all right off.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Oh, wow! I always use the “fill with hot water to melt the glue” method, but that still leaves a bunch of residue. This is so much cleaner!!! :)
Tyler
Please log in or create a free account to comment.http://www.onelittleblackdress.com
Great idea! But my REAL problem is removing labels from plastic jugs! Now if you can find a solution for that….
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have always used WD 40 to remove the sticky stuff. I spray on, let sit and used paper towels to rub off. You still need to wash in hot soapy water to get the greasy stuff off, but it works very quickly!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Me too! Wosrk fast and leaves nothing behind.
With some plastic containers if you put super hot water in it and let it sit for a few minutes the heat will loosen the adhesive and you can just peel the label off. Though I tried that the other day w/my protein powder container and it was less than effective, but it works on other things fantastically. I think I might try this washing soda trick & see if it works on my plastic container! :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.For plastic jugs (milk containers mostly), I fill with very hot tap water, trying not to get the label wet, let it sit for about 5 or 10 minutes, and the label just peals right off. I use 8 to ten milk jugs as Christmas decorations along my front walk. I cut the top off just below the curve, put about 3 inches of sand/dirt in the jug, staple on a Decoration (I use cloth poinsettias with a leaf, but, I have also used red plastic bows), set a over sized tea light in the middle, and light them in the evening. I haven’t tried it for paper labels yet, but, since I have found Jillee’s site I will be re-purposing a load things I used to toss, so I will be trying it soon.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I haven’t tried it but why wouldn’t this method work on plastic containers?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Derris, I think this would be worth a try on plastic! If this doesn’t work here is another method I’ve used: https://onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/05/how-to-remove-sticker-goo.html
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