How To Clean Labels Off Glass Jars

Repurposing glass jars is one of my favorite low-cost, low-waste hacks for DIY gift packaging.

But, removing the manufacturer label glue off glass jars and bottles cleanly can be kind of a pain. I have tried many different methods and came up with my favorite hybrid to share with you.

The best part is you don't need to buy a special product or intense stinky chemical agent to get the job done.

Sparkling clean, gunky glue-free glass, here we come!

Glue Be Gone

Much like my findings on how to sanitize cardboard for crafts, the key is to get heat to do most of the work for you. The glue used to attach the labels to the glass is sensitive to warmth so we're going to let that work to our advantage.

Some methods recommend adding hot water to the inside glass jar/bottle and some say to soak them in warm water from so the outside gets wet. I like both and I'll tell you why.

Get Out Ghastly Odors

If you have ever tried to repurpose a jar that had a strong-smelling product in it (…looking at you garlic powder) then you know that odor can be hard to shake with just basic cleaning alone. If you add 1/4 cup (2 fl oz) of white vinegar to the 8 cups (64 fl oz) of hot water you use on the inside of the bottles the vinegar acts as a deodorizer AND the hot water melts the glue! One step: two wins (my favorite)!

HOT TIP! Some jars and labels are just more stubborn than others. So if you find a label or glue residue that just doesn't want to be removed, you add a little oil into the mix. Letting oil sit on the jar for just a few minutes really helps loosen that extra bit of gooey glue gunk that's clinging on for dear life.

HOTTER TIP! Don't drain your sink of that warm soapy water until every jar is finished. That soapy water is especially helpful in rinsing the jars you needed a little oil to help with.

I should note that unless you want some curvy modern art pieces you shouldn't use this method with thinner plastic jars. They'll warp and shrink and get gross really quickly when adding near-boiling water. Stick with glass.

So here we go!

Here's my go-to method for removing the manufacturer's label glue off glass jars cleanly for sparkling glass that's ready to be upcycled for your favorite DIY gifts.

Goodbye Glue, Hello Beautiful Glass- The Method

Materials:

• Glass jars with labels that you would like to be without labels
• Hot water, from a kettle or however you heat water
• White vinegar (if needed)
• Dish Soap
• Cooking oil (I used olive oil)
• Baking soda (if needed)

Tools:

• Sink or tub that can hold your jars and hot water
• Washcloth or abrasive scrubby
• Thumb-scraper or old gift card (helpful, also optional)

Label-Removal Instructions:

Step 1 Collect all the jars and bottles you'd like to clean up and get them in your sink or tub.

Step 2 Place all the jars and bottles upright.

Step 3 Fill all the jars and bottles with very hot water (and be careful because, well, very hot water…). Use a funnel for extra safety. The water weighs the jars down and stops them from floating when you…

Step 4 Fill the sink surrounding the jars with warm soapy water that just covers the labels. Let the jars sit in the sink for 20 minutes.

Step 5 Next, take the jars out of water one at a time (carefully, in case it's still hot) and remove the labels. For most of them, this should be easy and take minimal scrubbing. For the more stubborn ones, use a thumb scraper or scrubby to remove as much as possible.

Note: Do not drain the sink until you're completely finished. That soapy water is a very helpful rinse!

Step 6 If that tenacious glue is still clinging onto hope, get a bit of cooking oil onto your washcloth or scrubby and rub it in small circles over the residue until it's gone. On one jar, I had to let the oil sit on there a couple of minutes first but it came off after that.

Give them one more dip in the soapy sink to get the oil off and you're done!

And voila! Pretty glass jar to package a future DIY gift with!

Note: Every one of my jars came clean with this method but, if you still have lingering glue, you can add 1 part baking soda to 1 part oil and use as a more abrasive scrub. You shouldn't need a strong or rare chemical to get even the most resilient labels off.

Looking for Unique and Impressive DIY Gift Ideas?

How to Upcycle Glass Jars for DIY Gifts

So what are these clean, shiny jars good for? Food gifts are an obvious choice, things like spice mixes, sauces, and tea blends. Also, think about DIY spa and beauty gifts such as sugar scrubs and homemade lotions.

In addition to packaging, you can use these jars and bottles to make unique upcycled gifts too. For example, take a candle jar and paint it and turn it into a planter or wrap an interesting bottle in rope to become a vase with a coastal vibe.

What sustainable packaging tips have you tried and loved?  I'd love to hear in the comments!

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How To Clean Labels Off Glass Jars

Source: https://prettydelightful.com/remove-glue-from-glass-jars/

Posted by: emerydespassoling.blogspot.com

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