How to Remove Labels from Glass Using This Easy Method
You might find yourself in the same boat that I’m in — the kind of boat that strictly prohibits labels from being on jars and bottles? I mean, they all come with labels, but I just nervously peel off every single one while I wait for the oven to preheat or for timers to go off. It’s not a terrible idea, either, because a label-less jar has lots of potential as a drinking vessel, vase, or even glass jars as kitchen organization.
Of course, this compulsive picking I (we?) do is a good way to end up with an opaque, very sticky jar. And that’s not super ideal if you want to reuse the jar. Luckily, there’s a quick and easy way to remove labels from glass, or just the residue if you’ve already peeled the bulk of the label off.
How to Remove Labels from Glass
Pick off as much of the label as you can, fill a pot 3/4 of the way with water, and carefully put your glass jars into the pot with the burner on high. Sprinkle in some baking soda or a squeeze of liquid dish soap and swish it around a bit. Let the jars simmer until the labels peel off on their own, or use tongs to encourage the labels to come off. Take each jar out and let them cool on a dish towel. If they still have traces of the label or a sticky residue on the glass, rub those parts with baking soda, wash them, and dry again.
How to Remove Labels from Glass
Materials you’ll need:
How to Use Baking Soda or Dish Soap to Remove Labels from Glass
- Once you’ve picked off as much of the label as you can, fill a pot (I usually use my Dutch oven) 3/4 of the way with water and put it on the stove. Carefully put your glass jars into the pot. (You’ll probably need to tilt them to fill them up with water so that they sink!)
- Turn the burner on high and either sprinkle in some baking soda or a squeeze of liquid dish soap and swish it around a bit. I’ve had success with both methods when removing labels from glass, so use whatever is within arm’s reach.
- You can let the jars simmer until the labels peel off on their own, or you can get in there with a pair of tongs and (carefully) encourage the labels to come off.
- Use the tongs to take each jar out and let them cool on a dish towel. If they still have traces of the label or a sticky residue on the glass, rub those parts with baking soda — the glass should come clean in a matter of seconds.
- Wash the jars with soap and warm water and they’re ready to go.
Now, you can save on buying new jars for storage, drinking vessels, or table settings by simply reusing your empty pickle, olive, and salsa jars — without the pesky label or sticky residue. It’s good for the environment and your wallet. And it should only take you a few minutes.
