The Ultimate Guide to Easily Removing Labels from Jars: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
Every day, I love eating olives! It’s a passion of mine to taste olives from different countries. As a result, I end up with an empty olive glass jar every few days.
The jars are beautiful, with perfect sizes and shapes. So, I decided to repurpose them as my regular spice jars.
However, the problem was the labels! At first, I was a bit worried about removing those sticky labels from jars. But now, I can do it easily.
My tips come from experience. You can use this simple and effective method with minimal effort to remove labels from jars.
Just follow these four steps to say goodbye to the labels on your glass jars.
Why Do You Need to Remove Sticky Labels from Jars?
Correct recycling is essential for a sustainable lifestyle. Therefore, it’s important to remove labels from glass jars before recycling. Make sure to separate the lids and labels from the jars before recycling them.
Moreover, the glass jars you get regularly are often strong and well-shaped, making them perfect for reuse. But, it may not work nicely if you still have the exiting logo and label.
You can use label free glass jars to store home-made kombucha, spices, processed foods, jams, jellies, sauces, and more. You can also collect them for future use after removing the labels as a perfect jar.
How to Remove Labels from Jars?
Most jars are made with strong, thick glass, but not all jars are the same. Abrasive cleaning products can damage the glass and pose a risk to you.
You could use a strong label removal product that removes both the label and the glue. While this might make the job easier, it can also be costly.
Today, we’ll remove labels and glue from jars without using any label removal products, abrasive chemicals, baking soda, acetone, or boiling water.
However, if you already have a label removal product at home, that’s a different story.
The process we’ll follow today won’t cost you a single penny.
These steps are super safe for both you and your jar. There’s zero chance of damaging your beautiful glass jar that you’ve decided to reuse.
Let’s take a look at the steps.
Step 1: Prepare Soapy Water in the Sink
Start by filling your kitchen sink with hot tap water, using a sink stopper to hold the water. Make sure to fill the sink until the labels on the jars are fully submerged.
Alternatively, you can mix boiling water from your kettle with hot tap water if the label is super sticky or stubborn. However, boiling water is not always necessary.
If the jar is too tall for your sink, try to submerge the side with the label facing down.
Add some washing-up liquid to the hot water. Mix it with your hand or by swirling the jar you plan to clean.
Let the jars soak for about an hour. One hour is usually enough, but I often leave them overnight if the sink is free and not in use.
You can also let them soak while you attend to other tasks. It’s flexible; soaking them overnight is not required.
Tips:
- Add the washing-up liquid after filling the sink with water to avoid excessive foam.
- Fill the jar about two-thirds full with water to help it stand upright in the sink. If it floats, it may turn around, preventing the label from soaking properly.
Step 2: Scrape It with Your Thumbnail
It may take a bit more time, but it’s worth it.
The advantage of scraping with your nail is that it removes both the label and the label glue simultaneously.
Since the jar has been soaked in warm, soapy water, the label is softened, and the glue has melted. Start from one edge, and you’ll feel the melted glue on your fingertip, making it easy to remove smoothly.
You can also peel the label off. However, if it’s a paper label, it might tear and leave glue residue behind, which you’ll need to remove in the next step.
Alternatively, you can use a scraper to remove the label, then deal with any leftover glue in the next step.
Step 3: Remove Label Glue from Glass Jars
The best way to remove label glue from glass jars is to scrape off the soaked labels with your thumbnail, then scrub to remove any remaining glue residue.
Most of the time, the sticky label glue is either water- or oil-soluble. Both types of glue can be removed with hot, soapy water. The hot water melts the glue, making it easier to scrape off with your thumbnail.
After scraping, rub the jar with a sponge and dish soap to remove any leftover glue residue.
Filling the jar with hot, soapy water also helps. It heats the glass from the inside, further loosening the sticky glue and helping to eliminate any odors inside the jar.
Step 4: Rinse the Jar
Rinse the glass jar thoroughly, both inside and out.
Wash the lid well with a sponge and soap.
And that’s it! Your glass jar is now label-free and ready to be reused however you like.
It’s as simple as that!
Glass Jar Label Removing Tips
Not all jars have the same type of labels. They can vary—sticky, paper, plastic, or hard paper. Understanding the label type first will help you take the correct action and reduce your effort.
Sticky Labels
These are common on small food jars like those for olives, cucumbers, or baby food. The Step-By-Step tutorial mentioned earlier works best for these.
Avoid trying to rip the label off first, as it will make scraping with your nails more difficult. Instead, soak the jar first.
Hard Paper Labels
Many coffee jars have hard paper labels. In this case, you don’t need to start from Step 1. Simply tear from one edge and peel it off. The label should come off cleanly without ripping. You may find very little or no glue residue left. Just rub with a soapy sponge, and you’re all set.
Plastic Labels
These are often found on plastic bottles, like face wash tubes or hand wash bottles. Start by lifting one corner and slowly pulling it off. The label should come off in one piece.
If the label is particularly tough or stubborn, follow Step 1 from the tutorial, then try to peel off the label along with the glue. A quick rub with a soapy sponge should finish the job.
A plastic label might become harder to peel off when it’s cold, so warming the jar slightly may help.
