Asked on Jan 09, 2017

How do you remove labels from prescription bottles?

Fran,B.
by Fran,B.
Any suggestions for removing RX lables from bottles? The lables circle the entire bottle. Would like to use them for spices, and cookie sprinkles I buy at a bulk food store.
  15 answers
  • Bombshell Bombshell on Jan 09, 2017

    I would soak them in hot water with soap and some vinegar for an hour or two. They should come right off.

  • Eduardo Hirata Eduardo Hirata on Jan 09, 2017

    You can first do what Bombshell just said, soak them on watter + soap (or detergent) and will come off, but in fragments . That works if you doing something else, just because 1, 2 hrs. X_X When I do that I usually use the back of a knife to scrap the smithereens.


    Another good way to remove the label is getting a lighter, warming up the label, JUST enough to not burn and just pull it off with a something like a pincher or a plier :)


    Also a hint: If there is some glue left, you can just apply WD40 on it and let sit for 5-10 min. Then just put deterget/soap and brush it away :D

  • William William on Jan 09, 2017

    I agree with soaking in hot water. Peel of the label and use WD40 to remove the residue and adhesive.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 09, 2017

    www.wikihow.com/Remove-Label-from-a-Plastic-Prescription-Bottle

  • Shui Shui on Jan 10, 2017

    I use rubbing alchohol

  • Ind16789191 Ind16789191 on Jan 17, 2017

    Get some Blackboard Chalk tape and place it over the labels- then you can change the contents labels easily. ONE THING I noticed nobody said***If you had medication in the bottles be sure that you wash and dry them thoroughly before using them for other things. You don't want any medicine residue on your sprinkles!!


  • Dr.8014962 Dr.8014962 on Jan 17, 2017

    I let warm water run over the bottles or sit in the water for a while. Any residue will com off with Goo Gone also.

  • Moi15727962 Moi15727962 on Jan 21, 2017

    Whenever I have that issue I place it inside of the microwave for 10-20 seconds.

  • Suellen Hintz Suellen Hintz on Jan 23, 2017

    I'd go the 'lazy' route. Buy labels that you can run thru your printer in a size that will completely cover the medication labels. If necessary, after printing a 'sprinkles' label you can cut the new label to an appropriate size before application to the rx bottle. This gives coverage, labels the contents, etc. please be aware that if there are young children in your household they could be attracted to 'real' medicine bottles because they think of sprinkles!

  • Terry Terry on Jan 26, 2017

    I just score the bottle with a fork...spray with WD40...let stand for a while and simply wipe the label off!

  • Julie Julie on Jan 27, 2017

    Try a litte Eucalyptus oil on a cloth and rub the label.If it is a coated label try a scraper to lift sides.Then pull as much as possible off,then rub with Eucalyptus oil.Good luck

  • Marti Marti on Jan 29, 2017

    A product called "Un-Glue" I use it on my DIY mixed media. Comes off in a couple of seconds. Walmart and Amazon sells it. Takes only a drop or two.

  • 3rd11739301 3rd11739301 on Jan 29, 2017

    We stick ours in the freezer

  • Irish Pack Irish Pack on Jan 30, 2017

    ever since I read about using a hair dryer, that's all I do now. before, I would use baking soda mixed with oil and brush on the labels, let them sit then take a scrubby to them. (hairdryer is less mess)

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jan 08, 2023

    Soak in soapy water or remove with goo gone or WD-40 or Surgical Spirit.