Do you want to learn how to remove sticky labels from jars? For those of us who like to reuse glass jars but are tired of that horrible sticky stuff left by labels that won't peel off, it can be a bit of a pain.
Worry not! I've got a few foolproof solutions for you, so that you can restore your glass storage jars to their former glory, ready to be reused for storing your favorite foods.
Why remove labels and reuse glass jars?
Reusing a glass jar is good for the planet and good for your cupboard! First of all, it prevents waste.
The amount of glass that gets thrown away is crazy – Americans dispose of 10 million metric tons of glass every year. Most of that goes in the trash. So, reusing glass bottles and jars goes at least some way towards alleviating the problem.
While plastic is not always suitable for reuse, due to leaching of micro plastics that can get into your food, glass is perfect for reusing. Unlike plastic, it doesn't break down over time, with a durability that makes it excellent for long term storage.
Finally, it makes sense from an organizational point of view. Keeping all your dried goods and homemade wonders stored in glass containers helps keep your pantry in pristine condition. No more split packets and spilled ingredients. Everything can be nice and orderly, labeled and stored in a simple way.
📖 Recipe
How to remove labels from jars
There are lots of different methods you can use to remove sticky labels from glass jars. They range from quick and easy for easier to remove labels, to slightly more complex for those hard to remove labels.
Instructions
Vinegar method
This is a very simple, quick method to remove labels from glass jars.
- Fill a large bowl with hot water. You can also use your sink.
- Add ½ cup of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of mild dish soap to the hot water.
- Place your glass food jars in the hot water. Leave them to soak for 20-30 minutes.
- Remove your jars from the hot water. You should now easily be able to remove the labels.
Cooking oil and baking soda method
If the vinegar method doesn't work, a mix of oil and baking soda might do the trick. You can use canola oil, olive oil or coconut oil. You can also use soda and dish soap.
- Mix equal parts baking soda and canola oil in a small bowl.
- Use a scrub brush or cloth to remove the sticky residue or glue residue from the glass jars.
- Wash and dry your jars ready for use.
Washing soda method
As washing soda is not an environmentally friendly method, reserve this one for tough to remove labels from glass jars.
- First of all, use protective cleaning gloves as washing soda is caustic.
- Fill a large bowl with hot water. You can also use your sink.
- Add ½ cup of washing soda and 2 tablespoons of dish soap to the hot water.
- Place your glass food jars in the hot water. Leave them to soak for 20-30 minutes.
- Remove your jars from the hot water. You should now easily be able to remove the labels.
Rubbing alcohol method
Another method that's not great for the environment, but is very effective at removing labels. You can also use any liquid with a high quantity of alcohol, such as nail polish remover or methylated spirits.
- First of all, use protective cleaning gloves as rubbing alcohol can be irritating to skin.
- Carefully wet a paper towel or rag with rubbing alcohol. Apply continuously to the sticky residue until it has been removed.
Goo gone method
Another effective method, Goo Gone is good at removing any kind of adhesives. While it's not the most environmentally friendly method, it's versatile and comes in handy for cleaning all sorts of household items.
- Remove the label as best you can with your hands.
- Spray Goo Gone directly onto sticky residue.
- Leave for a few minutes to allow the Goo Gone to do its thing.
- Remove the sticky residue with a putty knife, plastic scraper or with your fingers.
- Wash bottles thoroughly in warm water.
WD40 method
Another oil based substance that can remove sticky labels is good old fashioned WD40. As a bonus, it comes in the form of a spray, so it's easy to apply.
- Give the WD40 can a shake.
- Spray the WD40 directly onto the label residue.
- Leave for a few minutes to allow the oil to break down the glue.
The peanut butter method
Wait... what?! Peanut butter? That's right, I kid you not. Peanut butter is genuinely good at removing sticky residue from glass. The oil really helps to break down the glue. Here's how.
- Dab a small amount of peanut butter on the label area.
- Leave for a few minutes to allow the oil to work into the glue.
- Peel off the label and remaining residue using a putty knife, plastic scraper or your fingers.
Can I use a hair dryer to remove labels and glue residue?
Blasting the glue residue with hot air is a good way of melting it slightly, making it easier to remove. However, you'll still need to use one of the methods above to properly remove labels from glass jars.
Does removing labels using baking soda, dish soap or washing soda damage glass jars?
No. These methods are all completely safe to use with glass containers and don't crack or damage them in any way.
So, after you've tried any of the methods above, you can safely reuse your glass containers to store your chosen food.
Do any of the methods above work with metal storage containers?
Yes, particularly the vinegar, dish soap or baking soda with hot water methods. Just follow all the steps outlined above and you'll be able to easily peel labels from your metal storage containers.
What can I store in my newly cleaned glass jars?
Once you've got your jars gleaming, with not a sticky label in sight, you might need a little inspiration when it comes to what to store inside.
Glass jars really are fantastic – I recommend keeping hold of them and reusing them again and again. The reason being is that they can safely store some fantastic foods for a long time.
So, if you've got the space in your pantry, storing food in glass jars saves money and gives you all the storage space you need to get really creative in the kitchen.
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6 Ways I Use Glass Jars for Storage in My Kitchen
To store rice and grains
I don't know about you, but I can't stand the plastic packaging that rice and other grains come in. It's nigh on impossible to open it at the top without it spilling – at best a little bit, at worst all over the kitchen countertop!
So, the answer? Use glass food jars! Storing rice and other grains like couscous is so easy. Plus, if you've got large glass food jars, you can buy your grains in bulk and seal them in an airtight container, for a longer shelf life.
To store pasta pulses
It's not just grains of course, but other dry foods that you can easily store in glass jars. I like to store pasta, all kinds of different beans and other pulses such as lentils.
When you have a range of glass jars, it enables you to keep your cupboards nice and organized. No more half split packages of rice, beans and pasta in your pantry cupboard. Keep everything looking perfectly organized and airtight. Simple!
To store seeds and nuts
Another great idea when it comes to reusing glass jars is to use them for seeds and nuts. Perfect for picking at when you're feeling peckish, you can keep your seeds and nuts for longer when stored in an airtight glass container. Plus, it helps keep things organized. Win-win!
To store homemade sauces
When you reuse glass jars, it gives you an incentive to make your own sauces. Once you've started down this road, you won't turn back... believe me!
All it takes is a few glass jars and you're off and away. I've developed quite a few of my own homemade sauce recipes over the years and it's always a good idea to reuse jars for storage.
Of course, you can always use plastic jars. Still, I think glass containers are classier, don't you think?
Here are a few sauce recipes, to get you inspired:
- Adobo sauce – so much flavor! Homemade adobo sauce is just incredible. Earthy heat, with a richness that knocks your taste buds out of the park. You have to try this recipe!
- Orange sauce for duck – pan fried duck is delicious... even more so when served with this incredible orange sauce recipe. Simple, yet oh so effective
- Dried cranberry sauce – quite possibly the best cranberry sauce recipe you'll ever taste! It's got a depth of flavor that goes way beyond the store bought cranberry sauce. So, serve it up at Thanksgiving or at any time of the year... it'll tantalize your taste buds regardless
- In-n-out sauce – the famous burger sauce. This copycat recipe hits every note, delivering that creamy, tangy flavor that goes so well with burgers and fries
- Romesco sauce – a traditional Catalan sauce that's nutty, slightly sweet and deliciously savory. Best served at a barbecue with your favorite meats and vegetables
- Fig and orange sauce – the sweet fig, the tangy balsamic vinegar and the zesty orange... a match made in heaven!
To store homemade soup, stock and broth
Large glass bottles and storage jars are an excellent way to store your homemade soup, stock or broth. Best of all, you can either store them in the fridge for use in the coming days or freeze them for using later down the line.
Here are a few great recipes you can make, ready to be stored in your glass jars:
- Parmesan broth – simply sensational! This rich broth brings unbelievable flavor and is especially effective in rich dishes such as risotto
- Turkey stock – this one is a holiday season favorite. Incredible taste that really deserves to be savored
- Turkey giblet stock – now things are getting interesting! Turkey giblets are often thrown away in the trash, but this recipe shows just how valuable they can be. A stock with a whole lot of flavor and one you'll go back to again and again
- Curried butternut squash soup – a deliciously spicy soup with healthy ingredients and lots of flavor
- Easy navy bean soup – a hearty, healthy soup that's very easy to make. Any leftovers demand to be stored in the right way... so it's a good job you've got your label free glass jars to hand isn't it!
To store chutneys and jams
Probably my favorite thing to store in glass food jars is chutney (jam isn't bad either)! I'm a self-confessed chutney freak... I could probably bathe in the stuff! Hence why I have a thousand and one chutney recipes for you to look through.
I've chosen some of my favorites for you to try for yourself:
- Quince chutney – make use of this underused fruit with my super easy yet wonderful tasting chutney. Quick and easy to make, yet with a depth of flavor that only comes from the homemade kind
- Papaya chutney – like quinces, papayas are an underused fruit with plenty of flavor. It’s an excellent ingredient when used to make a chutney, which makes this recipe well worth making
- Mrs Ball’s chutney – a South African favorite, Mrs Ball’s chutney is a wonderful mild chutney that is the perfect mixture of sweet and savory. Made of several fruits, mainly plum, it’s great with turkey, vegetables and especially cheese
- Orange chutney – a zesty chutney with plenty of charm
- Black grape chutney – wonderfully fruity with a a herby twist
- Strawberry chutney – add a little zing to your favorite foods with this lightly spiced fruit chutney
- Damson chutney – with its deep rich plum flavor and warming, earthy spices make this chutney so incredibly tasty
- Marrow chutney – fresh, fruity with a hint of spice, this is the perfect recipe to use up a glut of marrows
- Plum chutney – another gorgeous summertime chutney that's packed full of flavor
Paul
Best way I've found to remove stubborn jar labels/glue: put the jar in the freezer for a few hours. Take out and hold with a dish cloth in one hand, and quickly (while still frozen) scrape the glue off with a knife, scraping razor, etc. Remanents will come off with some olive oil and a copper scrub, followed by soap.