How to Remove a Label
Contents
– Focus on the methods to remove labels
– Case 1: Peel off a price tag
– Case 2: Peel off a product label
Some labels can be difficult to remove. Nothing is more unpleasant than glue or paper residue on an object, book, or dish. In addition, many containers can be reused (jam jars, glass jars, bottles, or cans), so you need to remove their labels, which can be stubborn!
To know how to remove a label, follow the methods explained below.
Focus on the methods to remove labels
Here are the different tips and tricks to remove a label.
Hot water
Peel off a label with hot water:
– by immersion in a pan of boiling water;
– by soaking;
– by filling the container with hot water.
Heat
Remove a label (only on glass) by heat by placing the container in the oven at 140° for 5 minutes.
Fat
Remove a label by soaking it in fat (olive oil, butter).
The scarlet water
Dab the label generously with scarlet water, then leave it for a few minutes: the label will stiffen and peel off by itself.
To remove the last of the glue residue
Remove the glue residue:
– by dabbing them with acetone (if it is on glass) and then rubbing them with a clean cloth;
– by soaking them in white vinegar, then wiping them with a cloth;
– dabbing with packing tape.
Tip: Lemon essential oil also removes very light traces of glue.
Case 1: Remove a price tag
On dishes or glass
To remove price tags:
– Soak the dishes for a few minutes in very hot water.
– Remove the price tag by scraping it off with a knife blade without teeth.
– Remove any glue residue with a cloth soaked in acetone or white vinegar: dab on and leave for a few minutes, then wipe off with a clean cloth.
Good to know: it is not recommended to put the dishes in the dishwasher to remove the labels, as they may clog the filter.
On a book
Try to remove as much of the label as possible, then wrap a piece of packing tape around your index and middle fingers (sticky side out):
– Rub the label remnants with the tape.
– Dab off any remaining glue with the adhesive. – Dab with a rocking motion with both fingers to catch the label pieces and gently remove the stuck pieces.
Case 2: Peel off a product label
All containers usually have two product labels: one on the front and one on the back. If you want to reuse glass or plastic containers, it is necessary to remove the old labels. To do this, follow these methods.
On glass: jam jars, jars, or bottles
– Method 1: With fat.
◦ Soak the label with olive oil or butter.
◦ Leave for at least 1/4 hour, then rub with a rough sponge scraper-type material.
– Method 2: With boiling water.
◦ Immerse the jars in a large pot and boil the water for a few minutes. The labels will peel off on their own!
◦ If needed, remove glue residue by dabbing with an acetone soaked cloth.
◦ Allow to set and rub with a clean cloth.
Caution: use a prop and gloves to remove the jars from the hot water.
– Method 3: With heat from the water. Some labels, such as those on wine bottles, are glued with thermal glue that stiffens when cold. They are more difficult to remove, and there is no point in soaking them in water. You have to soften the glue with heat.
◦ Fill the bottle with boiling water.
◦ Wait a few seconds for the glue to soften, and lift a corner of the label with a thin knife blade.
◦ Gently pull to peel the label off.
Important: protect your hands while handling with hot water or in the oven.
– Method 4: With oven heat:
◦ Place the bottle filled with hot water in an oven set to 140° for 5 minutes.
◦ Gently peel off the label, starting at one corner.
On plastic: jars, cans, and bottles
– Method 1: With fat.
◦ Soak the label with olive oil or butter with a brush, then leave for at least 15 minutes.
◦ Then gently scrub with a sponge scraper.
– Method 2: With warm water.
◦ Immerse the jars in a large pot filled with hot water: the labels will peel off by themselves.
◦ If necessary, remove glue residue by dabbing it with white vinegar.
◦ Leave to act and rub with a clean cloth.
Important: It is not recommended to apply acetone to plastic at the risk of melting it.
Materials needed to remove labels
Acetone
Saucepan
Cloth
Knife
Sanding sponge
Thick protective gloves
Olive oil
Adhesive tape
White vinegar
