How do you remove labels from glass jars?
Glass jars are ideal for storing all kinds of things. Homemade jam, dry goods, small craft supplies, paperclips, anything. And they are also virtually free. Only those labels, eh, they are sometimes so difficult to remove. In this article I will therefore give you tips so that you can easily remove all labels and annoying glue residues from your jars.
Storing glass jars
I'll admit it: I think I was a magpie in a past life. I think that's the reason it's so hard for me to part with glass jars. They shine so beautifully, are crystal clear, close perfectly and glass is just so nice and clean! Every now and then I really have to stop myself from storing, otherwise the kitchen cupboards will overflow with empty jars that (let's face it) are simply never used all at once.
By now, I can bring myself to throw all jars with plastic lids (peanut butter jars, for example) into the glass recycling bin. But most jars with metal snap lids still end up somewhere. Besides the fact that glass is better, nicer, and cleaner than plastic, the jars you buy jam or beans in are also practically free. And thanks to the snap lid, you can also seal your homemade pika or jam well and visibly vacuum-tight. Many a storage container can't compete with that!
But with the jars from the supermarket, there is usually a problem… those annoying stickers. And even worse: those annoying glue residues!
Water-based adhesive labels
About half of the glass jars have labels attached with water-based glue. I am always very grateful to the manufacturer if that is the case. Because water-based glue (and therefore the labels that are stuck with it) can be easily and quickly removed from jars. No glue residue, immediately a clean jar!
To remove these labels, fill the sink with hot water. Squeeze some detergent into this. Just stir and the bath for the glass jars is ready. Put the jars in here for 5 minutes and you can easily remove the label. Usually as a whole too. It doesn't get any easier.
Oil-based adhesive labels
But sometimes you find out that after such a hot water bath, the label does come off the glass jar, but the glue doesn't. This leaves a sticky layer on the pot that really has to come off… if not, it will be full of dust and other dirt in no time.
Unfortunately, you cannot brush this glue away with some soap. It sticks stubbornly to the jar. Throw it away then? No of course not!
You can easily remove these annoying glue residues with some lamp oil or baby oil. Sunflower or salad oil is also possible, but the aforementioned oil is much thinner and really works the best. I have a small bottle of baby oil under the sink just for this job.
You can rub the oil over the glue with a sponge or paper towel. You will soon notice that the glue dissolves. Of course, baby oil is greasy, so you have to wash it off well with dish soap afterwards.
Voilà: a beautifully clean glass jar that is ready to disappear into the cupboard… er, to be filled with something tasty or useful!
More inspiration?
Something for your glass jar: red palm oil . Because in our climate, it hardens so much that you can no longer squeeze it out of the plastic bottle.
