Clean labels off jars
Clean labels off jars
I have made a few jams this year and also had my first go at chutney making. I reuse old jars but have trouble removing the labels on some. They sometimes leave a nasty sticky residue. Any ideas please?
JuzaMum
JuzaMum
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- spider8
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Re: Clean labels off jars
I use white spirit although it does stink and needs lots of washing to get rid of it.
Life's a bitch and then you diet.
- Davie Crockett
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Re: Clean labels off jars
I have the same problem with wine bottle labels. In the main I use hot water, detergent and elbow grease, as a last resort I "borrow" some nail varnish remover. Sometimes white spirit shifts it, but you need to thoroughly clean up afterwards for food use.I reuse old jars but have trouble removing the labels on some. They sometimes leave a nasty sticky residue. Any ideas please?
Time flies like an arrow; vinegar flies like an uncovered wine must.
Re: Clean labels off jars
Thanks - I will try white spirit on the particually stubborn ones then stick them in the dishwasher after.
JuzaMum
JuzaMum
Happiness isn't having what you want but wanting what you have.
- baldybloke
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Re: Clean labels off jars
Better than white spirit is metholated spirit. Dab it on and the label should scrape off easily.
Has anyone seen the plot, I seem to have lost mine?
Re: Clean labels off jars
I gave up on the paper labels due to the work involved in removing. I don't reuse the tops so mark the necessary information using a black marker. A quick swipe using alcohol cleans the marking off if it is desired to keep the top.
Re: Clean labels off jars
metal scrubbers work well after a good soak
or a quick dip in me petrol tank for those realy sticky ones
or a quick dip in me petrol tank for those realy sticky ones
Darn that Wabbit
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- Barbara Good
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Re: Clean labels off jars
Some labels peel off easier than others so it's a matter of trial and error. When I find some that are easy to remove with a soak in really hot water, I run to the shop and get some more. I also try to find jars with plain lids so it doesn't scream "I was a dolmio jar!". I know it's silly as it doesn't change what's inside but it's nicer to look at. I print my own labels on paper and stick them with a glue stick. super easy to remove and survive a season of storage in cupboard and fridge once open.
- Thomzo
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Re: Clean labels off jars
Like said, try soaking overnight first. Paint brush cleaner is pretty good at removing the sticky residue.
If it's something posh for a gift, I make a tag from thin card, and tie it on, looks pretty and you can put extra information, such as the ingredients, on the back.
Zoe
If it's something posh for a gift, I make a tag from thin card, and tie it on, looks pretty and you can put extra information, such as the ingredients, on the back.
Zoe
Re: Clean labels off jars
I like that. That sticky glue is sure a pain.wabbit955 wrote:metal scrubbers work well after a good soak
or a quick dip in me petrol tank for those realy sticky ones
- wulf
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Re: Clean labels off jars
I use boiling water and a plastic jug (which means I don't use a lot more water than is needed to soak the label). Some jars need two or three passes in between attempts to scrape the glue off (a blunt old knife works well here).
If a jar or bottle is very problematic at cleaning, it is better put in recycling or using a label that covers the remaining residue. On the other hand, some are very easy to clean - my first stage is often just to leave an empty jar or two sitting in the water left from washing up. It has until the next time I wash up (and perhaps a few tentative attempts at peeling away the label) to see how much of a headstart I can give it.
Wulf
If a jar or bottle is very problematic at cleaning, it is better put in recycling or using a label that covers the remaining residue. On the other hand, some are very easy to clean - my first stage is often just to leave an empty jar or two sitting in the water left from washing up. It has until the next time I wash up (and perhaps a few tentative attempts at peeling away the label) to see how much of a headstart I can give it.
Wulf
- Thomzo
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Re: Clean labels off jars
Perhaps we need a list of the good, the bad and the ugly. Which brands soak off easily? Which ones don't come off at all? And which ones can be persuaded to go with a bit of elbow grease? That would help us to chose the brands to buy in the first place.
Zoe
Zoe
Re: Clean labels off jars
I've just cleaned 16 jars this morning , i give them a good soak (these ones were overnight ) then peel of as much as possible , then i use the back of an old kithen knife and just scrape it of , takes no time at all , and no nasty unpleasant smells in the jars. I wish i had tried this years ago it's so simple.
- Millymollymandy
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Re: Clean labels off jars
I use my fingernails!
http://chateaumoorhen.blogspot.com/boboff wrote:Oh and just for MMM, (thanks)
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- margo - newbie
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Re: Clean labels off jars
This is probably a few months too late, but this seems to always work well for me. I always put my jars in a big stockpot with enough water to cover them up and boil them up for a few minutes to sterilise them. I've found that you can then peel the whole label off with very little trouble with some tongs (or any other improvised method that doesn't burn you). Two jobs in one as well.
(This is my preferred method of sterilising things because you can also get all the bits left in the crease at the bottom of the jar (or bottle) that you can't get out otherwise, and you can let them cool on the stove with the water if you're only pickling etc.) I imagine it's tricky to get the timing right for jam jars though (and probably hard to fit all the ones you need in) so it's probably best done in advance and then pop them in the oven for the jam?
(This is my preferred method of sterilising things because you can also get all the bits left in the crease at the bottom of the jar (or bottle) that you can't get out otherwise, and you can let them cool on the stove with the water if you're only pickling etc.) I imagine it's tricky to get the timing right for jam jars though (and probably hard to fit all the ones you need in) so it's probably best done in advance and then pop them in the oven for the jam?