I make a lot of presents using jars that have those darn sticky labels on them. Then I found this, it works wonderfully!
Lightweight, non-reactive, unbreakable, and usually airtight plastic containers are perfect for storing dried herbs and other treasures. Reusing them reduces waste and environmental impact much more effectively than labor - and chemistry-intensive industrial recycling. The only hitch is those stupid labels. Most glues don't stick to plastic, so the ones used to stick labels on it have to be practically bulletproof.
Apply a thick coat of cooking oil to the label in question. Allow it to soak in, undisturbed, for 24 hours. Try to peel the label off. If it comes readily, proceed to the next step. If it doesn't, repeat steps 1 and 2. (Many labels require two applications; some take several.) After the label has been peeled off, some sticky, partly dissolved glue will remain. To remove it, coat the area with oil a final time and allow it to sit overnight. Wipe off the oil and dissolved glue, then wash the container in hot, soapy water. No trace of label or glue will remain.
Although this is not the book in which you'd expect to find information about removing labels, it does in fact have one of the best set of directions for solving this very commonly frustrating challenge. It is also one of my favorite books, because of tidbits just such as this.
Source: Adapted from The Neighborhood Forager, by Robert K. Henderson and Annie B. Bond
By Irishwitch from Aurora,CO
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Thanks very much, JodiT, for this hint. I'm going to try it pronto because, I, too, use lots of plastic jars for many craft projects and those darn labels are really difficult to get off, if ever!
I tried it and it work great thanks so much for your help, I had been trying to get the glue off of 2 puckers for a week now, I will remember this again and thanks so much
I still can;t get the label off.I;m trying baby oil. Its a cookie plastic Container,Excelian for gifts.thank-you please help me.
I have a different problem with price stickers on a wood surface that I want to paint on. You cannot use oil to remove the sticker if you are going to paint with acrylic. Sometimes even the hair dryer won't remove it. I wish they would not place those stickers on a surface that is intended for a painter to paint on.
This worked for me in seconds! You don't know how many times I ruined a plastic container being in a hurry to remove the gummy residue from a price sticker. Thank you so much! Never too old to learn something useful!
I put mine in freezer for about 30 seconds and it peel off. I peeled off about 50 medicine bottles no trouble at all but had 2 that did not peel off good. Now try the oil.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS TIP!!!!!!!
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