http://www.care2.com/greenliving/getting-those-labels-off.html
Getting Those Labels Off
Adapted from 'The Neighborhood Forager, by Robert K. Henderson.
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. Unlike glass containers, plastic ones can’t be de-labelled by soaking in hot water. Scrubbing scratches up the plastic, and even then it only removes the paper. Tacky glue remains to stick to hands and attract dirt.
But removing labels from plastic containers is deceptively easy once you know how. For success every time, without scratched containers or residual glue, follow this simple procedure:
1. Apply a thick coat of cooking oil to the label in question.
2. Allow it to soak in, undisturbed, for 24 hours.
3. 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.)
4. 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.
5. Wipe off the oil and dissolved glue, then wash the container in hot, soapy water. No trace of label or glue will remain.
Note from Annie: 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.
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The Neighborhood Forager
There is an extraordinary edible bounty right outside your back door, even if you live in suburbia or a city. This book guides you there!buy nowrelated stories
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add your comment »I store non-edibles in plastics because I've heard the same thing as Mik Mik, that somehow our foods pick up harmful gases or something. It makes sense if you think about the whole scare w/infant bottles. Plus I've had a chemist tell me never to drink anything alcoholic out of plastic for the same reason. I'm just trying to be safe, so I store crafts & such in plastics, and edibles in glass or metal as much as possible. I've also heard it uses more electricity in your fridge if it's in plastic because it doesn't get as cold. My cat also gets serious allergies, and one of the things I was told was to quit feeding & watering him in plastics. I stopped & noticed an improvement right off. Makes you wonder about us, and we're bigger so it would probably be subtler. I try to only use plastics for foods if I'm taking it somewhere, but the key word's "try". With things they way they are in this lifetime, I think it's also next to impossible to totally avoid. Also, for anyone making their own beauty creams etc., do note that natural creams & such often mold right away in plastics that are reused. The first time's fine, but what a waste! You might want to try to make them in glass or metal, which can be sterilized between uses.
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Plastic is no good for any food!
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I've tried using the oil that I cook with, usually canola oil. While it will help to soften paper somewhat, it's never really been all that effective with removing labels. Usually, I will just let the label wear off. Since I use a dishwasher for my dishes (I'm not able to be on my feet long enough to hand wash), eventually, with enough cycles, the label will eventually come off.
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I have found many labels come off dry, leaving a strip of glue. It is cheaper to just remove the glue (using any of the methods described). Remember that cooking oil, hot water, etc. all consume resources and money -- these methods are not free, economically or environmentally.
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A hairdryer works brilliantly as well. Blast the label with the hairdryer and peel off. Residual stickiness can be lifted off by using the other sticky parts of the label or by using oil as above.
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Thank you Annie !!!! I wasnt a member of this site in june when this article was posted but I've been reading all of them. This is something I have been trying to do with my cosmetic jars so I can store homemade cream in them but they always have residual glue on them. Thank you ...I'll definitely try this :)
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Undo works great for removing labels too.
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incredible! i just complained - again - about unremovable (irremovable?) labels and today, voila! thanks :)
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I use d-limonene for removing labels, I have yet to find anything that can't be removed with this ingredient. It leaves the finish like brand new.
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Thank You !!!!! I tried everything before comming across this site. I took some corn oil and rubbed it across the glue and then washed with hot soapy water and waaalaaa it was off.. You saved our guessing jar for the book fair.
Thanks Teralynn
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