622048 Sat May 23 07:52:49 -0700 2009 15 41 Cookware 0 4708766 any tricks to removing labels on glass jars? i have empty jars that i want to use for storing spices but they have labels and hot water + soap doesn't get rid of the sticky glue or the paper as much as i would like. Sat May 23 07:52:49 -0700 2009 295462 superfinespot 1 4708772 I soak mine in hot soapy water then use goo gone. Gets rid of sticky stuff. A little rubbing but works. Sat May 23 07:56:49 -0700 2009 4708766 232829 kchurchill5 2 4708836 thanks. i guess goo gone can be found at a hardware store like home depot? Sat May 23 08:32:09 -0700 2009 4708772 295462 superfinespot 3 4708851 Check your supermarket, local Walmart, etc first. It's a pretty common product and it is useful for many things. Sat May 23 08:39:48 -0700 2009 4708836 61669 Quine 4 4709009 I use it for lots of things. Smells a bit but not bad and a little goes a long way. Walmart, home depot, walgreens, ace, even most grocery stores. Sat May 23 10:20:11 -0700 2009 4708851 232829 kchurchill5 1 4708894 Naphtha. Use in a well ventilated area away from flame. Sat May 23 09:06:30 -0700 2009 4708766 198087 David A. Goldfarb 1 4709145 Cooking oil often works on label residue. Cover it with a generous coating of oil (or spray with Pam), and let it rest a few minutes. It can usually be scraped off easily. Sat May 23 11:40:24 -0700 2009 4708766 221993 Channa 1 4709349 I try to remove as much of the label as possible without using water. A trick to "peeling" off an adhesive backed label is not to try to lift it off, but pull it off with the label face folding back against itself as you peel. If you get it off that way and any adhesive is sill stuck on the jar, using the sticky back on the label will often lift it off. If the paper begins to tear and split as you peel,stop and pry up the seperating part and get it caught up with the big piece. If this doesn't work, or if the label was wet before you started, get as much of the paper off as possible. Hot water helps, then rub it to "pill" it. Then use any brand of cheap hair spray in a pump bottle. It will cut through the gummy adhesive as well as anything I've ever used, and better than most. I keep a bottle of hairspray with my cleaning supplies. It will take ball point pen marks off upholstery, remove lipstick, remove gummy glue.... It's a miracle cleaner. Sat May 23 13:42:08 -0700 2009 4708766 112096 Caroline1 2 4709547 never tried gummy glue, but know the pen and lipstick. Very rarely have one other than a small little 3 oz one for weddings or formal events. I may just have to try it. Sat May 23 15:32:13 -0700 2009 4709349 232829 kchurchill5 1 4709645 Ammonia in warm water. Ice water. Failing that, xylene. (It's the active ingredient in goo gone.) Sat May 23 16:57:08 -0700 2009 4708766 170353 dscheidt 1 4710124 For some kinds of glue, filling the jar with -boiling- water will instantly heat up the glass and melt the glue and the label will peel right off. A run through the dishwasher will clean off any remaining residue. Or, if no dishwasher, that type of glue seems to dissolve in mineral spirits so a quick wipe with some on a rag will clean up any last sticky spots. I don't know how to tell if it's the heat-activated glue or not, but it's what I usually try first. You don't get the label wet at all; in fact, it's easier if the label is completely dry and hasn't been scraped at yet. Sat May 23 22:32:20 -0700 2009 4708766 25310 Chuckles the Clone 1 4715256 Any kind of oil...vegetable oil, olive oil, I've even read that peanut butter works. I usually spray on some vegetable oil, let it soak in, then scrub it off with a dobie/scouring pad. Goo Gone/Goof Off will also work but I'm leery about using that in/around things that will be used for food. Tue May 26 09:05:02 -0700 2009 4708766 69452 jzerocsk 2 4715746 goo gone and the like are either xylene based, or limonene based, depending on whether they're "citrus" based or not. there are additional ingredients (surfactants and the like), but none of them leave a residue that will survive washing. If you drink orange juice, you're consuming quite a bit of limonene already. Tue May 26 11:20:21 -0700 2009 4715256 170353 dscheidt 3 4715859 I'm sure you're right but the vegetable oil is usually right in the kitchen and doesn't smell like Zippo fuel. Tue May 26 11:54:46 -0700 2009 4715746 69452 jzerocsk 4 4716166 I wouldn't of use the good gone is the regular kitchen oil would of worked. I tried baby oil, soaking, tons of things. Goo Gone was my last resort and the only thing which worked, even then it was a bit of work. Tue May 26 13:20:55 -0700 2009 4715859 232829 kchurchill5 1 4720747 Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol will dissolve label glue. We use it at work to remove labels from laboratory glassware. It's also cheaper to buy that brand name adhesive removers. It also leaves no nasty chemical residue. Wed May 27 20:14:39 -0700 2009 4708766 22801 bkhuna