How to Remove Labels from Glass Bottles?

How to remove labels from glass bottles readily? This question must come to mind when struggling with peeling off a label. Sometimes, you get beautiful and expensive bottles of liquor. After using it, you would not like to throw it but want to reuse it for DIY purposes. Right?

 

The problem arises when those sticky labels refuse to come off, leaving behind paper bits. No matter how much you scrub them, they seem almost impossible to remove. But you need not worry! I will walk you through practical and effortless methods to remove glass bottle labels in this article. So, let’s get started! 

 

Why Remove Labels from Glass Bottles?

Glass bottle manufacturers attach labels to tell the story about the bottle’s contents. But once the bottle is used, you must remove those bottles. But WHY? Let’s find the answer in this section.

 

• For DIY and Craft Projects: Some glass bottles have beautiful designs that attract attention. Instead of throwing those bottles away, you can use them for home decor. For example, some use glass bottles as candle holders or storage jars. However, sticky labels can ruin the aesthetics of entire bottles. So, before any DIY project, you must remove them.

• For Reuse and Storage: Many people use glass bottles for storage purposes. For example, you can keep sauces, oils, and homemade drinks in them. However, removing the labels is crucial to making them neat and clean. Moreover, after removing those labels, you can also use customized labels.

• For Recycling: Plastic labels cannot be recycled with glass but need a separate process. So, many recycling plants demand label-free glass bottles. It makes the recycling process more manageable, time-saving, and energy-efficient.

• For a Clean and Aesthetic Look: If you reuse glass bottles with their labels, they fade away with time. These faded and torn labels dim the bottles’ beauty. Therefore, removing the sticky labels is crucial to enhancing the bottle’s aesthetic.

• To Avoid Sticky Residue: When labels are left over on bottles, they attract dirt and dust. This can make cleaning the bottles difficult. Moreover, this contamination can also change the flavor of the liquid inside. Therefore, it is crucial to remove the labels to prevent this mess. 

 

How to Remove Labels from Glass Bottles? Effective Methods!

 

Peeling off the labels feels very frustrating due to the sticky residue. But scrubbing the bottles endlessly is not a solution. Here is the list of those effortless methods you can try at home to reduce labels from glass bottles! 

 

1- Hot Water and Dish Soap Soak 

It is one of the most common and easy methods to remove labels. This method requires a large bowl, hot water, dish soap, and a gentle scrubber. First, boil the water to some extent and place it in a large bowl. Check that water should not be too hot to crack the bottles. After that, add a few drops of dish soap according to the number of bottles.

 

Place the bottles into that bowl one by one. However, at this stage, you should ensure they do not collapse. Leave those bottles for 30 minutes to one hour in hot water. After this time, check whether the labels have loosened. If not, use a sponge to scrub the bottles gently. It will remove all the labels. At last, rinse the bottle with clean water and dry it with a soft cloth. 

 

2- Baking Soda and Water Soak 

 

Another effective and natural way to remove labels is to use baking soda. Baking soda is known for breaking down labels’ sticky power. First, warm the water in a large bowl and pour half a cup of the baking soda. Stir the mixture to dissolve the soda entirely. Afterward, place the bottles in the mixture and ensure the labels are soaked completely.

 

Leave them for one hour; however, if the labels are highly stubborn, leave them for one night. Peel off the labels after some time and check that no sticky residue is left behind. If you still notice any residue, sprinkle some baking soda directly on them and scrub them with a soft brush. Repeat this step until not all the labels are removed. Later, rinse the bottles with clean water and dry them with a cloth. 

 

3- Vinegar and Baking Soda Paste 

Vinegar and baking soda paste act as natural detergents to remove the labels. But the difference is that this paste is eco-friendly, inexpensive, and readily available. So, this powerful combination easily breaks down the adhesives that cannot be removed otherwise. To apply this method, you will need half a cup of white vinegar and half a cup of baking soda. Mix this in equal quantities to make a thick paste.

 

Apply a layer of that thick paste to the labels, ensuring the entire label is covered. After that, leave the bottles for one hour to 30 minutes. During this time, vinegar will react with adhesives and make them loose. By then, take a brush and gently scrub the labels. You will notice that most of the labels peel off easily. Once removed, rinse the bottles with water and dry them, and your label-free bottle is ready.  

 

4- Rubbing Alcohol or Acetone 

 

Rubbing alcohol is one of the faster methods of removing labels from a glass bottle. Acetone, which can be found in nail polish remover, effectively removes labels that cannot be removed with soaking methods. So, which is the right way to apply acetone? First, rinse the bottle with clear water to remove dirt. After that, take a cotton ball and soak it with alcohol.

 

You can also pour a few drops of acetone directly on the labels for better results. Leave the bottles with alcohol for 10 minutes. After that, rub the acetone-soaked cotton ball on the labels in a circular motion. If they don’t come quickly, use a butter knife to help lift them. Finally, rinse the bottles with clean water and dry them with a towel. Ensure that no white spot is left on the bottle. 

 

5- Heat Method 

 

Providing heat is also an effective method to remove the labels from a bottle. The manufacturing process of bottles involves high temperatures. So they can easily withstand much heat. Applying heat weakens the adhesives and removes the labels easily. For this purpose, you can use a hairdryer, oven, or heat gun. Here, I will explain the hairdryer method.

 

First, turn on the hairdryer and let it warm to 200°F. Then, hold it about 3-5 inches away from it and rotate it in a circular form. The goal should be to loosen the adhesives, not to burn the labels. Continue this step for 5 minutes. If the glue is more sticky, it may take more time. Lastly, remove the labels with a knife and rinse the bottle with water. 

 

6- Oil-Based Removal 

 

This method is most suitable for a non-toxic approach for delicate glass bottles. Basically, oil helps remove the leftover sticky residue rather than large labels. For this method, you can use baby or cooking oil, whatever is readily available. So, first, try to remove the labels as much as you can with fingernails. After maximum removal, apply a thin layer of oil on the leftover residue.

 

Oil takes a long time to loosen the adhesives, so be patient and leave the bottles for 30 minutes. Later, take a plastic scrubber and gently rub the labels. You will see that residue will start lifting, and you can easily remove it. If required, apply a little more oil to avoid scratches. Repeat this process to get a clean bottle. As a last step, rinse the bottle with soap to remove the oily surface. 

 

Safety Precautions When Removing Labels from Glass Bottles

 

From all the above methods, removing glass bottle labels seems very simple. However, without precautions, you will end up with burns and injuries. So, before applying those methods, consider some of these safety tips!

 

• Glass bottles are often slippery, mainly when oil-based methods are used. They can slip from your hands, break, and cause serious injury. So, you must place the glass bottle on a flat surface and do not hold it in your hands.
• Alcohol can cause skin irritation or burning. So, when applying any alcohol, wear protective gloves. They will protect you against friction burn during brush rubbing.
• In some methods, knives, razors, or scrapers are often required to remove leftover residue. So be careful while using those sharp tools. For example, always scrap in the opposite direction to prevent your body from being cut.
• You should also carefully handle heat-based methods. For example, avoid direct touching when boiling water or using a hairdryer. Moreover, never put boiling water directly into a glass bottle, as it can cause a sudden burst.
• While working on these methods, you should choose a ventilated place. The reason is that some chemicals can cause sophistication. Moreover, wear masks and goggles and dispose of the waste after completing the procedure. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Can I Reuse Glass Bottles Without Removing Labels?

Yes, you can reuse glass bottles without removing the labels. For example, if you want to refill with water, there is no need to remove the labels. However, you should remove the labels for DIY projects to ensure aesthetics.

 

Can I put glass bottles in the dishwasher to remove labels?

Directly putting your glass bottle into the dishwasher is not a good idea. The reason is that many sticky labels are resistant to moisture. So, it is better to soak them before putting them into the dishwasher.

 

What should I do with the removed labels?

Many recycling plants accept labels with glass bottles. So, you should check separate bins in your area specifically for plastic and paper labels. If you cannot find such bins, throw them in regular trash boxes. 

 

Conclusion 

 

Removing the labels from glass bottles is not always straightforward. Sometimes, sticky labels adhere to bottles, making removal very difficult. So, I have discussed some effective methods to remove those labels from glass bottles. All these methods are highly efficient, and you can perform them at home. However, some of these methods involve heat and chemicals. So, before implementing them, keep your safety in mind.