How To Remove Labels From Jars The Chemist Way (easy & Chemical Free!)

Are you a crafting fan like me? Do you love to recycle things too?
I always save used glass jars for crafting projects, particularly spray paint projects! Removing those labels can be such a pain though. I have a great chemist tip to share with you today that will help you remove your labels fast and easy!
I spent hours in a chemistry lab doing experiments which always involved labeling glass jars, then cleaning and removing labels. Commercial grade acetone was obviously the best way to go when it came to removing labels, but it was expensive and not always available.
So, this method saved me time and again!
Here is what you need to remove labels from jars:


Hot Water


Blue Dawn Soap


Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda)


Scrub Pad
After soaking in hot water, sometimes those pesky label residues still show up.
Visit my blog for the rest of the details, and be sure to follow along with me to see the neat project I have for these three jars.
Alexis @ Chemistry Cachet
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
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  1 question
  • Thea Thea on Feb 22, 2020

    Don’t tell anyone but I use spray insecticide such as Doom. it really works well and obviously I wear gloves. I’m not recommending it but it works very well. What would the science behind it be, if any?

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  • Stephanie Rountree Stephanie Rountree on Aug 13, 2015
    Another super easy way to remove labels is making a paste with coconut oil and baking soda. Smear it on the label and leave it for about an hour. The label will virtually slip off!
  • Rita Rita on May 31, 2020

    I use goo gone. Works every time.

    Be sure to put your jar on some old towels or paper towels before you spray because it’s oily and you don’t want it all over your counters. Doesn’t take a lot but works wonderfully. Spray, let sit a minute or two. Wipe with a paper towel. Sometimes if the glue is really thick you’ll have to spray it another time or two but it’ll be as clean as a whistle when you’re done. Then wash it with soap and water and you have a nice container.

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