Reusing jars after you’ve finished with them is a great way to minimise waste and save money. Glass jars can be used for a wide range of purposes throughout the home – from storing small items like hair ties to displaying bouquets from the garden. However, removing those pesky labels can be tricky! After a lot of frustrating trial and error, I’ve finally figured out how to do it quickly and easily. In this post, I’ll be showing you how to get labels off jars and remove any sticky glue residue from the glass.
After completing this tutorial, you should have a blank, pristine jar with no paper or residue on it, like the image below:
My secret tool for getting labels off of jars
In my experience, you don’t need any unusual or fancy equipment to get labels off of jars. A simple and effective method I have discovered is to use a vegetable brush, which you most likely have at home! This approach makes scrubbing off the sticky residue much easier, and doesn’t require harsh detergents. It’s also gentler on the glass than other tools like steel wool scrubbers. It’s important to properly prepare your jar before using the vegetable brush – I’ve detailed my exact steps below.
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How to get labels off jars: step-by-step
Before I discovered this method, I used to spend ages trying to get my jars clean and they would still be left with residue. It was so frustrating that I’d often just end up throwing them out. However, with this method, it takes less than 2 minutes of active work and 7 minutes of soaking. I really wish I knew this sooner!
1) Let it soak in water for 5 minutes
Firstly, you’re going to want to leave your jars to soak for 5 minutes in warm, soapy water. This step softens the paper layer of the label, making it easier to peel off. The science behind this is that when paper comes into contact with moisture, the hydrogen bonds that bind the cellulose fibres together weaken. With weakened bonds, it disintegrates more easily.
Before I soaked this jar, it was near impossible to remove the paper layer – you can see my failed attempt where the best before date is. However, look how easily it comes off in the next step…
2) Peel away the paper layer
After soaking the jar for 5 minutes, you can start peeling away the paper layer. The paper should come off easily, leaving behind glue residue. If you’re finding it difficult to remove, you can use your fingers or a wet rag to rub at it. It doesn’t need to be perfect – a little leftover paper residue is fine.
3) Start to remove sticker glue with baking soda and oil
Now, let’s tackle the glue and paper residue left on the jar. To do this, you’ll need to mix a teaspoon of baking soda with half a teaspoon of vegetable oil (I’m using sunflower oil). To save time and dishes, you can sprinkle the baking soda directly onto the jar and then add the oil. Rub the mixture into the jar until it forms a thin, paste-like consistency. This paste works by creating a gentle abrasive texture that helps break down the adhesive without using harsh chemicals. Leave your jar to sit with this mixture for 2-3 minutes.
4) Scrub with a clean vegetable brush
This is the most important step. Now, you’re going to use a brush to get rid of the stubborn glue residue that remains after the baking soda and oil treatment. While some people suggest using kitchen scouring pads, these can scratch the glass and leave an unsightly, dull appearance. In my experience, a firm, short-bristled brush is the best tool to use for getting the remaining paper and label glue off the jar.
A vegetable brush like this one from Amazon will work perfectly for this step. Apply a generous amount of dish soap to the outside of the jar, and rub the brush in circular motions across the surface. Keep the jar wet so the soap can lather – there should be lots of suds on your jar. As you scrub, little beads of paper and glue will come off. After a minute or so, your jar should be clean!
Time to enjoy your label-free jar!
And that’s it! Your jar should now be sticker-free. Give it a good wash and dry it completely. If you intend to store food in it, be sure to sterilize it before use. Alternatively, you could use it to neatly organize household items like hair ties, bobby pins, paintbrushes, and screws.
Now that you know how to get labels off jars, you can have fun collecting containers various sizes, colours, and unusual shapes. Personally, I enjoy searching for darker colours like brown and green, like this jar from an empty Sukin night cream container. Considering its previous contents, I thought it would be the perfect place to store my face scrubbies!
This post was all about how to get labels off jars!
