Many people reuse glass jars for storing food or various crafts. Unfortunately, almost all cans have annoying, annoying labels that are not so easy to remove. Often they leave behind scraps of paper and glue stains, no matter how much you scratch the jar under water. Fortunately, the labels are fairly easy to remove and leave no residue behind!
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Using white vinegar
Step 1. Fill a sink or bucket with hot water
There must be enough water to completely immerse the jar in it. If you want to remove labels from multiple cans, draw up enough water to fully submerge the largest can. The hotter the water, the better it will dissolve the adhesive under the label.
Step 2. Sprinkle dish soap into the water several times
If you do not have such a product on hand, you can use regular soap. This will help separate the label from the glass.
Step 3. Add a few glasses of white vinegar to the water
White vinegar is acidic, which will help dissolve the adhesive under the label. As a result, you can more easily remove the label and remove marks from the glass.
Step 4. Place the jars in the sink
Remove the lids from the jars and place them on their sides in the sink so that they fill with water and sink to the bottom.
Step 5. Wait a few minutes
The longer you wait, the better the vinegar will dissolve the glue under the labels. About 30 minutes is enough for tightly adhering labels, but cans can be checked in 10 minutes.
Step 6. Take the jar out of the water and peel off the label
It should come off easily. If any marks remain, try scrubbing them off with a bristly sponge.
Step 7. Rinse the jar with clean water and dry with a towel
After removing the label, wash the jar and dry with a clean towel. The jar is ready to use!
Method 2 of 5: Using soda ash
Step 1. Fill your sink with hot water
There should be enough water to completely cover the jar on its side. If you want to remove labels from multiple cans, draw up enough water to fully submerge the largest can.
Step 2. Add ½ cup (90 grams) soda ash to the water
Stir the water with your hand to dissolve the baking soda.
Step 3. Open the jar, put it in water and wait about 30 minutes
Let the water flow into the jar so that it sinks to the bottom. There is no need to detect exactly 30 minutes, just wait until the water soaks the label and dissolves the glue.
Step 4. Remove the can from the water and remove the label
It should detach easily from the can. If any marks remain, try rubbing them off with your finger first. If it fails, go to the next step.
Step 5. Use more soda ash to remove any marks from the glass
If there are traces after the label, take a bristly sponge, sprinkle it with soda ash and gently wipe off any traces of the label.
Step 6. Rinse the jar with clean water and dry with a towel
The jar will be clean, but there may be traces of soda ash on it. After removing the label, rinse the jar with clean water and dry with a towel.
Method 3 of 5: Using nail polish remover
Step 1. First, try to remove as much of the label as possible
If the label is difficult to peel off, soak the jar in warm water and soap for 10 minutes, then remove the label. It's okay if traces remain in its place.
Do not use nail polish remover or acetone if you have plastic cans. This can lead to deformation and discoloration of the cans. Rubbing alcohol can also be used, but is less effective
Step 2. Pour some nail polish remover onto a paper towel, rag, or bristly sponge
If there are very few marks left after the label, a paper towel can be used. If there are many marks, use a bristly sponge. Acetone is also suitable for this method. Rubbing alcohol may work, but is less effective than nail polish remover or acetone and is best used to remove minor marks.
Step 3. Scrape the label marks with small circular motions
Any substance or acetone in the nail polish remover will dissolve all the adhesive and you can easily scrape off any remaining label. You may need to reapply nail polish remover or acetone.
Step 4. Wash the jar with warm water and soap
This is especially important if you plan to store food in this jar. When the jar is clean, wipe it with a clean towel and use it for your own purposes.
Method 4 of 5: Using vegetable oil and baking soda
Step 1. Try to remove as much of the label as possible
If the label is firmly attached to the glass, soak the jar in warm water and soap for a few minutes, then remove the label. It's okay if a lot of paper and / or glue remains on the glass.
Step 2. Mix equal proportions of baking soda and vegetable oil
Any vegetable oil can be used, such as canola oil, olive oil, or sunflower oil. Baby oil will work as well.
- For a small jar, 1 tablespoon (20 grams) of baking soda and 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of oil are enough.
- To remove light residues of glue, one vegetable oil is enough. However, if there is paper on the glass, you should also use baking soda to help peel it off.
Step 3. Rub the jar with the prepared pasta
Focus on the areas where the remnants of the label are visible. You can rub the glass with your fingers, a paper towel, or even a rag.
Step 4. Wait 10-30 minutes
During this time, the oil will penetrate into the remaining glue and dissolve it, after which you can easily clean the glass.
Step 5. Rub the paste with a bristly sponge or wire brush
While doing this, make small circular movements. The baking soda will remove glue and paper residues from the glass.
Step 6. Wash the jar with soap and water and dry it with a towel
If you notice any trace of the label, apply a few drops of vegetable oil to the glass and wipe it off with a paper towel.
Method 5 of 5: Using a hair dryer
Step 1. Set the hair dryer to hot mode
Please note that this method does not always lead to success. It works if the hair dryer gives out very hot air, and the label does not stick to the can too much.
Step 2. Blow a hair dryer on the label for 45 seconds
Hot air will dry out the adhesive and become brittle, making it easy to remove the label.
Step 3. Try to peel off the corner of the label from the glass
Pry it off with your fingernail or razor blade if necessary. If the label does not come off the glass, hold it under hot air for another 45 seconds, then try again.
Step 4. Remove any trace of the label with olive oil and wash the jar in warm soapy water
Apply a few drops of olive oil to a paper towel and gently wipe off any remaining residue. Rinse off any remaining oil with warm water and soap and dry the jar with a clean towel.
Advice
- If you don't have a bristly sponge handy, you can use a soft bristled brush instead.
- If the label is difficult to remove the first time, several methods can be used.
- If the date is stamped on the can, it can be wiped off with nail polish remover or acetone.
- This method also helps: pour boiling water into the jar, wait a few minutes, pour the water out of the jar and remove the label. You can also remove the label from the cover.
Warnings
- Be careful when using a hair dryer, as the jar can get very hot.
- Do not use a hair dryer on plastic cans - hot air can deform the plastic.
- Do not use nail polish remover and acetone on plastic cans.