Introduction: Easiest, Least Messy Way to Remove Labels From Glass Bottles!
Product labels on bottles aren't decals so they are particularly hard to remove but scraping away with a razor or using Goo-Gone can be pain-staking and/or messy.
I recently had several wine bottles soaking in the kitchen sink and thought to myself, "what a waste of water and space". Since the sink is so wide and the bottles have a couple inches+ of girth, I end up having to fill the sink half way!
Then it dawned on me...a fitted container would require far less water! So I dug in my cabinets, found a plastic-ware container and tested it out.
Step 1: What You Need
-Water source
-Glass bottle with label
-Tall (or shaped to fit) container
-Regular dish soap
Check that your glass bottle will fit inside you container. There shouldn't be a lot of wiggle room for the bottle but there should be space enough for water to sit between the bottle and the sides of the container.
Step 2: Soap It.
Pour a small amount of soap in the bottom of the container. This will help dissolve the label's glue.
Step 3: Water Time.
Set the container down in the middle of the sink (or any area that will capture excess water and/or spillage) and make sure it is stable.
Then fill the container with water but don't fill it to the brim! Fill it with just enough water to cover the label when the bottle is sitting flush against the bottom of the container. This will save water and clean-up time.
Step 4: Check Your Water Level.
Once you have a satisfactory amount of water in your container, remove the bottle and take a gander at how much water you're not using! This is the point of this instructable, saving water when using it to craft!
Step 5: Weight the Bottle.
Now we need to get the bottle, which is full of air and thus floating, to sit flush to the bottom of the container while it soaks. Depending on the height, etc. of your bottle, you may choose a number of items to help weight it down. I have chosen to use another bottle of which I have cut the top off.
Be careful not to put an object over the bottle that might break or tilt and fall!
Step 6: Pull Off the Label.
This label literally only took enough time for me to place the weight-object over the bottle, take it's picture and then set the camera down, for it to peel off!
Bottle labels will differ in soaking-time length. The great thing about using water and soap is you can check it every so often without having to reset the whole process or clean-up everything again.
If given enough time, the label should peel off the bottle in 1 piece.
Good Luck!
28 Comments
Tip 3 years ago on Step 6
I have found the easiest way ever to deal with removing labels which is great cause I literally have to remove them from HUNDREDS of bottles! I soak them I'm hot soapy water for a few hours to remove as much label as I can. If any glue remains, I use a little Bar Keeper's Friend Cleanser and the scrubby part of a kitchen sponge and voila! All the glue is gone easily and without scratching or damaging the bottle! Hope this helps someone else.
Tip 5 years ago on Step 5
Another way to weigh down the bottle, to prevent it from floating, is simply by filling it with water.
Tip 5 years ago on Step 6
I use a large bucket for my wine bottles, put it in the bathtub and then fill bucket with about 1 cup baking soda and the hottlest water I can get. Then I put the bottles in and let them fill up with the liquid in the bucket, leave it alone for about 24 hours. Best part of putting it in the bathtub is the spillage goes down the drain. The next day, the labels slip right off! The best part is the baking (or washing soda) is environmentally friendly and if you have the time, the easiest way to do this.
6 years ago
Another way is to leave bottle out in sun on warm days to soften glue and carefully peel label. Some will come off in one piece. Use the label to pull off sticky remnants of glue from bottle or a peice of duct tape to pull off any sticky remnants of glue from bottle.
6 years ago
using the citrus base cleaners will dissolve the glue and is less toxic than most other industrial solvents. You need to apply & allow a little time for it to soak under or thru the label & it comes right off. You'll need to wipe gooey glue remains away& wash. Requires minimal water & no scraping.
6 years ago
I literally just used a cottonball and nail polish remover on a jack daniels bottle. Easiest. Removal. Ever.
Reply 6 years ago
Well, that version only requires soap and not chemical products, so I guess that makes it automatically a better solution?
6 years ago
this it's the easiest method I've ever found. beats everything :
https://youtu.be/FUbZ4BjBErY
7 years ago
I used a 5 gal bucket to soak a bunch of beer and wine bottles all at the same time. Works great! Even on stubborn labels, though those I had to use an old dish scrubber, but even that was like scrubbing off rubbery ketchup. Thanks!
7 years ago
Omg!!! I combined 2 of your ideas. Oven WORKS GREAT!!! I used a thin knife with an oven mitt to hold Judy top of bottle with my hand flat, labels peeled right off, leaving minimal glue behind.
Then I tried rubbing alcohol to get excess glue off it worked but it spread the glue before removing it taking some time and elbow grease.
So then I did the lighter fluid. A dab will do!! About 5-7 drops, rub it leave it for 1-2 minutes rubs right off!!!
I tried this on a painted/frosted it baked good but glue would not fully come off with lighter fluid or rubbing alcohol. I tried makeup remove since it removed residual sticky on my hands and it removed the frost ☹️ The lighter fluid didn't. OH IMPORTANT***** Make sure bottles are completely cool. Lighter fluid still works if warm but it takes more.
HAPPY CRAFTING!!!
7 years ago
love this remedie
8 years ago on Introduction
Oxiclean is excellent for removing labels. They slide right off after about an hour's soak in just a pinch of Oxi in water.
Reply 7 years ago
Can I tell you how well this actually worked? I have to Make 15 centerpieces for a wedding in a week and needed a quick way to get the labels off with something I already had at home. This worked so well! So, thanks for sharing!
Reply 7 years ago
Happy to be of service!
9 years ago on Introduction
I just put my wine bottle in the oven at 350 and let them sit for about 10-15 minutes and the labels peeled right off! YEAH!!! If you do this make sure you use an oven mitt. If there is any liquid in the bottle it turns to steam so watch out!
9 years ago on Introduction
after much experimenting, i have found the sure fire best method to get these labels off the bottle.
youll need a bucket, or a vessel to soak in (sink, tub, etc), baking soda, and hot water.
fill
each bottle up with the hottest water you can, placing the cap back on
if possible to keep the heat in. no need for boiling hot water, just
hot from the tap will work.
pour a generous amount of baking soda in to your bucket.
place all the bottles in the bucket and fill with same hot water.
allow to soak overnight.
depending
on the condition of the labels, they will basically fall off the next
morning. the baking soda and hot water dissolves a good portion of the
glue.
10 years ago on Introduction
DANGER! Please, please don't use naptha (carcinogenic, neurotoxic), WD40 (same), or any other solvent for removing bottle labels! This is completely NOT safe or sustainable in any way. Please soak the bottles in warm, soapy water to loosen the paper (just leave it overnight). Then rub with olive or any other vegetable oil to remove the glue. Finally, use soap and water to remove the oil. Three steps to keep your home healthier!
10 years ago
This method didn't work for the whiskey bottle I'm using; it removed the paper, but left the glue. Which does make it easier, I guess.
13 years ago on Introduction
Rather than weighting the bottle down, just fill it with water to a level higher than the vessel you're soaking it with.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
I thought the same, but if you see the attention he put in not wasting water, you can see why he didn't use it.