How to Remove Labels from Glass Jars in Minutes (with Zero Effort!)

You might find yourself in the same boat I’m in — the kind of boat where you love reusing jars, but hate taking the labels off. Of course, the compulsive picking of the label I (we?) do is a good way to end up with an opaque, very sticky vessel, and that’s not ideal if you want to reuse the jar. Luckily, there’s a simple solution!

Good news: There are several easy ways to remove labels from glass jars, or just the residue if you’ve already peeled the bulk of the label off. Below, learn about three simple methods for removing labels from glass, so you won’t have to keep staring at those stubborn glued-on bits forever.

• Baking soda or dish soap
• Tongs
• Pot or Dutch oven

1. Once you’ve picked off as much of the label as you can, fill a pot (I use my Dutch oven) 3/4 of the way with water and put it on the stove. Carefully put your glass jars into the pot. (You’ll probably need to tilt them to fill them up with water so that they sink!).
2. Turn the burner on high and sprinkle in either some baking soda or a squeeze of liquid dish soap, and swish it around with a utensil.
3. Let the jars simmer until the labels peel off on their own, or get in there with a pair of tongs and (carefully) encourage the labels to come off. 
4. Use the tongs to take each jar out, and let them cool on a dish towel. If they still have traces of the label or a sticky residue on the glass, rub those parts with baking soda — the glass should come clean in a matter of seconds.
5. Wash the jars well with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry with a clean cloth or towel.

• Oil (vegetable oil, margarine, butter, or essential oil)
• Plastic wrap
• Dish soap

1. Take the jar and smear the label with oil. (Don’t be afraid to use a lot and really get in there!). Anything oily will work, such as vegetable oil, margarine, butter, or essential oil.
2. Cover the oil-soaked label with plastic wrap and let it sit for 30 minutes.
3. Remove the plastic wrap and scrape away at the label until it comes off. (An old credit card works great!).
4. Wash the jar well with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry with a clean cloth or towel.

• White vinegar
• Paper towel
• Plastic wrap
• Dish soap

1. Fully soak a paper towel in vinegar.
2. Place the paper towel over the label on the jar and wrap it with plastic wrap. Let it sit for 10 minutes. 
3. Remove the plastic wrap and scrape away at the label until it comes off. (Again, an old credit card is your best friend.)
4. Wash the jar well with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry with a clean cloth or towel.

Note: White vinegar is a great household cleaner, and you likely already have it in your pantry! Plus, its acidity makes it great at breaking down sticky residue and glue.

Now, you can save on buying new jars for storage, drinking vessels, or table settings by simply reusing your empty pickle, olive, and salsa jars — without the pesky label or sticky residue. It’s good for the environment and your wallet. And it should only take you a few minutes!