Simple Solutions for Removing Stubborn Labels from Any Surface
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Have you ever struggled to remove a sticky label or sticker from a plastic bottle, glass jar, or unique tin you wanted to reuse? You’re not alone. Many of us have tried peeling off a label, only to give up after battling stubborn adhesive residue.
Now imagine this frustration multiplied for a business owner trying to reuse dozens of glass jars or an artisan restoring vintage containers. The good news? You don’t have to throw those items away.
We’ve compiled six tried-and-true methods for removing labels and stickers from containers made of plastic, glass, metal, and more.
1. Use rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover
If you’re wondering how to remove stubborn sticker residue, start with rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover. These solvents break down adhesives for easier removal.
Steps:
- Soak a cotton ball, rag, or paper towel in rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, or even inexpensive vodka.
- Press the soaked material onto the label for at least 15 minutes.
- Once the adhesive softens, peel the label back.
- Use a sponge dipped in alcohol to wipe away any leftover residue.
Tip: Rubbing alcohol is less harsh than nail polish remover, making it a better choice for delicate materials. Always test a small area first to avoid damage.
2. Try the hair dryer method for heat activation
Heat can help loosen label adhesive, making removal easier. A hair dryer works particularly well on glass jars with paper labels.
Steps:
- Set your hair dryer to high heat and blow it directly over the label for 30 seconds.
- Check if the label peels easily. If not, repeat in 30-second intervals.
- Remove any remaining glue with a soapy sponge.
Caution: Avoid using this method on plastic containers as the heat may warp or melt them.
3. Tackle tough labels with specialty removal products
For the most stubborn stickers, specialty label removers like Goo Gone or Turtle Wax Sticker Remover are your best bet.
Steps:
- Apply the product to the label with a rag or paper towel.
- Let it sit for 15 minutes to break down the adhesive.
- Peel off the label and clean any residue with soap and water.
These products are particularly effective on plastic surfaces where other methods might fall short.
4. Remove labels with white vinegar
White vinegar is a natural, affordable option that works wonders on glass and metal containers.
Steps:
- Fill a shallow container with enough white vinegar to submerge the label.
- Let your jar soak for 15 minutes or heat the vinegar for better results.
- Peel away the label and use a sponge to clean up any leftover paper or adhesive.
This method is eco-friendly and especially effective for removing labels from glass jars.
5. Soak containers in hot soapy water
Hot water is often all you need for easier label removal.
Steps:
- Fill a tub or sink with hot water. Add a splash of dish soap or laundry detergent for extra power.
- Submerge your containers and let them soak for at least an hour—or overnight for tough labels.
- Once softened, peel off the label and scrub away adhesive residue with a sponge.
This simple method works great for glass jars and other water-safe materials.
6. Scrape off labels with a razor blade
For precision removal, a razor blade or X-Acto® knife can help remove stubborn labels.
Steps:
- Hold the blade at an angle and carefully slide it under the edge of the label.
- Gently push to lift the label in sections.
- Repeat until the label is fully removed.
Caution: Avoid this method on scratch-prone surfaces like plastic or tin. Always test a small area first.
Label your containers with ease
Once your containers are clean and adhesive-free, it’s time to relabel them! For hassle-free removal in the future, use removable labels like those available from Avery.
Why choose Avery labels?
- Easy-to-remove options prevent sticky residue.
- A wide variety of customizable designs and materials to fit any container.
- Perfect for businesses, crafters, and home organizers.
If you have any questions about labels or need help selecting the right products, our California-based Customer Care Team is here for you. Call us at 800-942-8379 for expert assistance.
We’re sorry to hear that you are having trouble removing these labels. Could you please reach out to our Care Team at avery.com/contact or call us at 800-462-8379 so we can take a closer look at this issue? We want to try to make this right for you.
I bought Avery Black & White Labels for Home Organization, Removable Adhesive so that I could put them on my very expensive stainless steel coffee vault container and change the labels whenever I changed the type of coffee in each one. Unfortunately, they don’t have removable adhesive, the reason I bought them, so the labels do not come off. They tear and leave massive amounts of paper and adhesive stuck to the canister surface. This is a nightmare. I have tried Goo Gone On The Go (pen applicator) which does absolutely nothing to remove the label and only leaves its own persistent residue. I need to restore my 10 coffee canisters, so I need something that will remove your non-removable Avery Black & White Labels for Home Organization, Removable Adhesive there surfaces. Then it would help to know exactly what labels would work for that purpose so that I can just simply peel them off and replace them with another label when I change the type of coffee that they are holding. Using those labels has caused a huge amount of aggravation, as you might imagine.
Jason,
Wow! Thank you so much for all the great information. This will be very helpful to our readers.
The best solvent for glues is inexpensive white spirit, or a similar petroleum distillate. Other oils can be used, but are thicker, don’t work as fast and leave more residual smell. Acetone cannot be used on most plastics, it also evaporates very quickly and is not economical. Heat can melt the glue, but PET bottles can’t be heated more than about 60 °C. Pour hot water into the bottle. Brittle labels can be pulled off in one piece and remaining glue dissolved and wiped up with toilet paper.
Water soluble glues are rare these days.
Another great tip Joyce. And very good point about not scoring labels on plastics. We love all the great ideas our readers are supplying on how to remove labels and stickers!
Thank you for the information. Many of us need this.
I have found that if I score/slash a few places on the label, any of the watery or oily fluids will quickly soak into the label. Scoring is best for glass jars or bottles. May damage plastics.
Glad we could help! Check out some of the other comments from our readers. They’ve offered some useful tips as well. Thanks for reading!
Thank you Ann! What a great tip for our readers. And an easy, inexpensive way to remove labels and stickers. Thank you for sharing!
I have always used the razor blade method, just be very careful on curved surfaces it can be hazardous! If there is a sticky residue left I will try many of the solutions you listed depending on what the container is made out of.
I enjoyed seeing this as I had never read how to remove a label and just did what I thought would work and usually was successful. Nice to know I was doing it right!
~ Kate
I use an Aim & Flame. Quickly swipe the flame over the label a few times to melt the adhesive, just as you do with the hair dryer method described in your article.
Thanks for the tip! We’ve added it to the article as well so our readers can benefit from it.
Lighter fluid is also an alcohol based chemical 😊👍
Charles, this is great! I had no idea you could use lighter fluid to remove and reuse a label. We’ll have to try this one out. Thank you for sharing another great idea for our readers and our product development team. I may add this idea to the article in the future. Thanks again for reading and sharing.
Another great way to remove labels. Thank you Mary Ann. My problem is I like peanut butter too much to use it as a cleaning tool:). But what a delicious way to remove your labels and stickers! Thanks for sharing with our readers. I may add this to the article in the future.
Peel off as much of the label as possible then slather the remaining area with PEANUT BUTTER! Wait 15 minutes or so to wipe off the residue and finish up with soap and water. Also, the hairdryer method works on cardboard boxes.
I usually use lighter fluid. I then follow the basic rule — lift and peal back carefully especially if you are reusing the label, i. e., a postage stamp accidentally applied to an envelope.