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Questions Doubts and Requests => Questions? Technical Issues? The Survival Guide => Topic started by: Bonsai on February 27, 2011, 01:42:11 am

Title: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: Bonsai on February 27, 2011, 01:42:11 am
I am an avid recycler of jars, but find removing the labels a complete pain!  The old fashioned ones (some of us remember ;)  peeled off easily after soaking, but the new ones are glued to the glass with industrial something or other. I don't want to use methylated spirits if possible. has anyone got a neat trick??
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: Shiraz49 on February 27, 2011, 04:32:39 am
I have been told that Eucalytus oil takes labels off. I just soak them for a while and then use steel wool.  Makes a mess but gets the jars clean.
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: judydawn on February 27, 2011, 04:43:54 am
Apparently it is better to fill them with hot water without getting the label wet, leave for 10 minutes to soften the glue and then remove.  Sounds easy, has anyone tried this one.
Another one is to use a hair dryer to soften the glue. 
My dishwasher takes some labels completely off and others stay exactly as they went in  :D
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: achookwoman on February 27, 2011, 04:54:54 am
I use " Goo Remover".  smells awful,  hate to think what is in it,  but does a fab job.  I put the bottles in the dishwasher after wards.
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: andiesenji on February 27, 2011, 06:16:46 am
I use Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil. 

I used to use acetone, which works okay but it irritates my fingers (and melts gloves) but the Avon product, applied with a soaked cotton ball will remove all the gooey residue.  I do wet the label with hot water first. 

Last spring I sent an emergency shipment to a friend who was staying in Scotland for a few months and was being plagued by the midges.  This stuff will repel them and also mosquitoes.  I used to put it on my dogs when traveling through mosquito prone areas where heartworm is endemic.
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: judydawn on February 27, 2011, 06:21:23 am
 :D :D Wonder what Avon would think if they read that Andie. 
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: faffa_70 on February 27, 2011, 02:03:58 pm
LOL that is my Mum's all time favourite "cosmetic" for a women that I struggled with for years to get to use a moisturiser she does love this bath oil  ;D
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: andiesenji on February 27, 2011, 06:10:29 pm
:D :D Wonder what Avon would think if they read that Andie. 

Take a look at this site: Avon Skin-so-Soft alternate uses (http://livegreatonless.com/100-uses-for-avons-skin-so-soft/)

When my kids were small, it was an essential for # 17  ;D
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: judydawn on February 27, 2011, 11:54:33 pm
That list is amazing - thanks Andie.  I haven't been ordering much through Avon of late but I certainly am going to buy myself some of that oil now!
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: Nay-nay on February 28, 2011, 06:06:30 am
I always use Orange oil.  ;)
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: Katya on February 28, 2011, 08:41:53 am

Take a look at this site: Avon Skin-so-Soft alternate uses (http://livegreatonless.com/100-uses-for-avons-skin-so-soft/)

When my kids were small, it was an essential for # 17  ;D

Don't want to scare anyone but I got a virus warning when I acccessed this site.... :o :o
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: andiesenji on February 28, 2011, 05:41:37 pm

Take a look at this site: Avon Skin-so-Soft alternate uses (http://livegreatonless.com/100-uses-for-avons-skin-so-soft/)

When my kids were small, it was an essential for # 17  ;D

Don't want to scare anyone but I got a virus warning when I acccessed this site.... :o :o


I just ran it through V-Scan Pro and  Avira  (both are for high-risk businesses) and got no notice of any virus hits.
What browser are you using?
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: Katya on February 28, 2011, 07:54:34 pm
I use Firefox with AVG.   It's now not coming up with any warnings so I'm not sure what happened earlier.
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: andiesenji on February 28, 2011, 07:56:51 pm
I'm using Firefox on my IMac - I also tried it on my MacBook Pro with Safari, and also with Opera, no virus on any.
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: Twitterpated on February 28, 2011, 08:23:33 pm
I went to have a quick look at this last night but didn't have time to read it all. Just clicked on the link in the quote in Katya's post to finish reading it and I also got a virus warning. Strange that I didn't get one last night but now I have.
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: Bonsai on March 01, 2011, 12:40:52 pm
makes you wonder what's in the stuff- gentle on skin but melts liquid nails and asphalt!!!  :o
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: judydawn on March 01, 2011, 12:48:39 pm
Mmm, I thought the same Bonsai and when I get some, it won't be for my skin ;D
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: JulieO on March 01, 2011, 09:37:31 pm
I put some eucalyptus oil on a cotton ball and rub over the label.  It eventually rubs away leaving no scratch marks.  :)
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: Bonsai on March 02, 2011, 12:39:15 pm
I ordered some skin so soft today through a work colleague so will report back on its ability to clean everything, repel insects and make me look young again!   ;)
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: judydawn on March 02, 2011, 11:43:09 pm
So did I Bonsai, lucky it was on special in this month's catalogue  ;D ;D  They say it is their top seller - probably because of all the things it can do.  Must ask my Avon rep if she knows about that list.
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: andiesenji on March 03, 2011, 05:18:04 am
I use it in warm water to soak my feet.  I have diabetes and have to be careful with them.  I have no calluses and the skin on my feet and ankles is very smooth and unbroken. 
One of my doctors recommended a "foot cream" that costs several times the Avon S-s-S and in my opinion does not do as good a job.

The only problem is that my basenji wants to lick my feet afterward. ;D
If I wrap them well in a towel, he keeps digging at it to get at my feet - and I am extremely ticklish. 
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: judydawn on March 03, 2011, 10:59:50 am
Will try that tip Andie, my feet are terrible.  Walked past a hair salon today and they had a sign out for a $40 1 hour pedicure so I went in to see if they could do me later but they were booked out and I haven't got time now for well over a week.  Maybe I won't need it after I try your tip but I do fancy someone massaging my feet and me just sitting back relaxing.
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: Rara1 on March 03, 2011, 01:29:54 pm
At work and home we use orange power made by planet ark.
It has orange oil in it.
You can purchase this at Coles in their cleaning aisle.
It can't be used on acrylics as the acrylic goes cloudy.
Rara
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: ThermomixBlogger on March 05, 2011, 08:59:12 pm
When I managed a book warehouse we had to remove all the US stickers from books before applying the Canadian ones. For that we used "Olbas Oil" which is a healing oild from Germany which is... I believe... Eucalyptus based also.

Now I use beauty product called "Gardener's Dream Cream" which is full of healthy oils such as Lavender and Eucalyptus.

But for stubborn stickers on bottles and big stickers on windows of cars etc, best is MAYONNAISE. Slap it on and leave it for a while. When you come back it comes of beautifully. -- Not kidding.. it's one of the little tricks of life that impresses others every time I use it. I've won many bets with the mayonnaise trick. People just don't believe it until they see it for themselves. My kids will certainly remember this one long after I am gone...

 ;)
ps - I think I've only ever done this (at other people's homes) with store-bought mayonnaise from the jar. And anyway, my home-made mayonnaise is much to tasty and special, I wouldn't waste it by smearing it on a bottle!
 ;)
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: faffa_70 on March 05, 2011, 10:33:12 pm
LOL Helene makes you wonder what is in store bought mayo then too  :o :o :o
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: JulieO on March 05, 2011, 11:37:35 pm
Will have to try this, thanks for the tip.  ;D
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: Ninny on March 06, 2011, 04:03:29 am
My FIL wets the jar then wraps it in cling wrap for a while. I haven't tried it yet but he says it works!
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: ThermomixBlogger on March 14, 2011, 03:31:27 pm
My FIL wets the jar then wraps it in cling wrap for a while. I haven't tried it yet but he says it works!

yes, yes, I seem to remember  :o the very first time I read about using mayonnaise (years ago ...) it said to apply the mayo and THEN wrap in plastic cling... I think we can now get rid of any labels and stickers "by committee". We can use orange oil, covered in mayo, Skin So Soft, and cling wrap. Those stubborn stickers don't stand a chance against a bunch of determined Thermomix cooks!

 ;)
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: Bonsai on March 15, 2011, 12:37:21 pm
I've realised that putting the jars in the dishwasher to clean them actually seems to bake on the glue more than if I soak them in the sink - more elbow grease but seems to work better.
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: cath999 on May 28, 2011, 02:36:34 am
Soak in hot soapy water first to get the paper bit off.

Spray liberally with WD40 (yes!) leave for about 10mins

The glue will just melt off

Wash jar

Ready to use!
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: judydawn on May 28, 2011, 02:41:52 am
Hi Cath999, welcome to the forum with your first posting.  Interesting thread this one - by some method or other we are going to remove those pesty labels  ;D ;D
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: thermoheaven on May 29, 2011, 07:33:47 am
This is what i used to get my stick labels off with:

http://www.pascoes.com.au/products.php?which=117&level=6

and of course when the bottle i had was empty, they discontinued it, but I'm glad to see that they've brought it back. I haven't bought a bottle yet, but I will the next chance I get.

cath, I'm keeping your suggestion of the WD40 in mind if I can't get hold of the oomph.
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: johnro on May 30, 2011, 01:13:07 pm
Eucalyptus oil gets the nod is this household and has done so for years.  :)  :)
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: Debbiebillg on May 30, 2011, 01:24:41 pm
Speaking of eucalyptus oil, we used it today to remove chewing gum from my 2 1/2 yo's hair. Hmmmmm it does have lots of uses doesn't it LOL.  He got hold of some chewing gum from his older brother and what do you know it ended up in his hair !  hmmmmm Kids will be kids !!!
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: jkmt on July 18, 2011, 05:09:43 am
Some great ideas for me to try here. Just to add to the collection, I give the jars a rub with metho to get off any residue after pulling off the labels.
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: Cuilidh on July 18, 2011, 06:14:33 am
I finally got hold of some Skin So Soft a couple of weeks ago and have only used it twice - so far the success rate is precisely 50 / 50!!!  I probably won't persevere as I find the smell way too strong for me, however I may hold my nose and try one or two of its 'other' uses and see what happens.
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: Bonsai on July 18, 2011, 01:25:52 pm
Have to agree about the smell of skin so soft (strongly antiseptic ...) - although others may like it. I haven't had much success with using it to remove gummy labels either (or some of the other things some claim it can do). Mind you, I haven't tried to get asphalt out of a horses tail yet  ;)
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: judydawn on July 18, 2011, 01:57:33 pm
  :D :D :D :D   I bought some but still haven't found the time to try it on anything yet.
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: andiesenji on July 18, 2011, 09:27:51 pm
Sorry you are not having much success with the SsS.

I'm still using the Skin so Soft after forty years.  I do soak the labels in water first.

It will not work with plastic labels but paper labels are a snap and after the plastic labels are peeled off, it cleans the sticky residue nicely.

At this time of the year when we have lots of bugs, I soak a small cloth with it and brush it around the edges of the outside doorways.
Flies, bees and hornets (yellow jackets here) give it a wide berth and at night it keeps moths away. 

We don't have a mosquito problem up here in the desert but it does repel them and for friends who live near the beach it also discourages sand fleas - an annoying problem along California beaches. 

A few  years ago my daughter and her family lived in Scotland (outside Inverness) for six months and whenever they went into the country they were plagued with midges.  I sent her some of the SsS and it kept the midges at bay and made their outings more enjoyable. 
They have allergies to most insect repellants. 
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: Cuilidh on July 18, 2011, 09:33:09 pm
Andie, following your comments / encouragement I'll persevere.  Still winter here, but if SSS keeps midges at bay in the Scottish Highlands (and I have had personal up-close contact with those wee #@%^&s) it should keep mosquitos at bay here in Australia.
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: Merrilyn on July 19, 2011, 02:20:03 pm
Andie, like you, I have been using Skin So Soft for the past 40 years.  Love, love, love the stuff.  A capful in the bath is my favourite indulgence.

I use it for cleaning my glass shower screen doors.  Keeps them clean for weeks.  Also spray our outdoor dining area in the summer to keep the flying insects at bay.

Also keep some in a spray bottle to use on my Chinese Crested Hairless dogs.  It's the only thing that keeps their skin soft and smooth and itch free.  Unfortunately due to the limited gene pool in Australia, a lot of these dogs develop itchy skin.  My 17 year old male  never suffered from this problem, but my 2 current dogs, both 5 years old are super itchy.  SSS works a treat and it's so much better than constantly having them at the vet for cortisone tablets.
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: Twitterpated on July 20, 2011, 08:42:23 am
I know what you mean about being a the vet constantly for cortisone tablets. Unfortunately for our dog it's not the skin that's the problem but a food allergy.
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: andiesenji on July 20, 2011, 04:50:26 pm
Basenjis don't have food allergies all that much but as they groom themselves like a cat, one is limited to the things that can be applied to them to repel bugs.
I wipe the head and neck area with a dilute solution of SsS where they can't reach with their tongues and that seems to keep the flying bugs that like to go for the eyes and ears away.  I use Frontline Plus once a month during the spring, summer and fall.  But it does not deter the gnats and deer flies that like to bite the ears and seem to swarm around the nose and eyes. 
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: Twitterpated on July 20, 2011, 09:25:21 pm
We had the same problems with hunting dogs and used to smear their ears with thick layers of petroleum jelly so they couldn't get to the skin.
Title: Re: cleaning labels off jars
Post by: makes_you_go_hmm on July 31, 2011, 02:48:30 pm
Lemon essence works well as a label remover!