How to get stickers off plastic without leaving residue

Get your containers clean & ready for new products with simple label removal tips

We’ve all tried at one time or another to remove a label or sticker from a unique jar or tin we want to reuse. Often we end up throwing the container away after being unable to get rid of the label and all the sticky residue. Now, multiply that frustration 100 times for the business owner trying to remove stickers from a shipment of glass jars they just received. Or an artisan crafter trying to remove old labels from antique apothecary jars they want to reuse. We feel your pain. So to help you out, we’ve put together six easy ways to remove labels and stickers and the adhesive they leave behind.

Always make sure to test a small area of your container before using one of the removal options below. Some jars, tins, or plastic containers can be damaged by scrubbing, scraping, heat, or chemicals.

1. Nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol

Soak a rag, paper towel, or cotton ball in rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, lighter fluid, or yes, even cheap vodka. Let it sit on the face of the labels for at least 15 minutes for an easy way to remove labels. Once you see the alcohol has soaked into the label you can begin to peel it back and remove it from the container. Use a sponge dipped in alcohol to remove any adhesive left on the container.

Rubbing alcohol is not as strong as nail polish remover, so try nail polish remover or acetone to remove stubborn label adhesive. Acetone and nail polish removers can sometimes remove the color from plastic products, so make sure and test an area before soaking or applying.

2. Hairdryer

Turn your hairdryer on to high heat and run it back and forth over the label face for 30 seconds to melt the label glue. If the label doesn’t peel off, continue heating at 30-second intervals until you can remove the label. Use a wet, soapy sponge to remove any leftover glue. This method doesn’t always work on extra strong label adhesives.

This is a great method for removing labels from glass jars with paper labels. It is not recommended for plastic containers, as they might melt from the heat of the hairdryer.

3. Label removal products

For really tough label residue, especially on plastic containers, you may need to resort to removal products like Goo Gone Sticker Lifter or Turtle Wax Label & Sticker Remover. Simply apply the product with a rag or paper towel and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Then peel the label from the corner or use a scraper to remove the remainder. Make sure to clean your container with soap and water before reusing it for your product.

4. White vinegar

Use a shallow container large enough to hold your jars. Fill your container with enough white vinegar to cover the entire label face and let them soak for 15 minutes or longer. Heating up the vinegar in the microwave or on the stove can help with tough labels. Carefully remove the jar and peel away the label. If they’ve soaked long enough, your label should remove easily. Otherwise, let them soak a bit longer. Paper labels often tear into pieces when you try to remove them so dip a sponge in the vinegar and rub the label to remove any pieces. This is an ideal method for most glass and metal containers.

5. Water

This method is the easiest way to remove labels from things like glass jars. Just let them soak and go and get other things done while you wait.

6. Razor blades

While they’re not an ideal way to remove labels if you have a lot of containers to do, they do work. Hold an X-Acto® knife or a single-edge razor blade at an angle, carefully ease it under the edge of the label and push until a section is removed. Once you get the corner up, you can peel away the label. Occasionally your label will come off in sections. Just repeat the process until it’s all removed. It’s not recommended to use razor blades on surfaces that scratch like tin canisters and plastic. Test a small area before using this method.

Do you have a sure-fire way to remove labels from containers? Let our readers know in the comments below.

When you’re ready to label your newly cleaned containers, make sure you choose the right label material, measure your containers correctly to get the right label fit, and apply your labels perfectly.

If you want to make sure no one has the same problem removing labels from your product that you did, check out all the removable labels available from Avery.

If you have any questions or need any help, please feel free to reach out to our California-based Customer Care Team at (800) 942-8379. They’ll be happy to help you with any label questions you might have.

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Author: Melanie Neff

Melanie has an extensive writing background built on an impressive journalism foundation. As a journalist for USA Today and The Los Angeles Times for almost 20 years, she covered everything from the Los Angeles riots, fires and floods to LA Lakers and Clippers games and movie premieres. She followed her newspaper career with a long tenure covering commercial real estate financing and development. Melanie has currently been writing about small business marketing and labeling needs for the past 10 years. She thrives on reading, researching and expanding her knowledge of everything going on in today's business world and looks to provide the most valuable information she can to her readers. View all posts by Melanie Neff

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