How to Remove Labels from Glass Jars

Home Home & Living Cleaning & Organizing Cleaning Tips

Glass jars from pasta sauces, aromatics and preserves make free, durable containers for all around the house. Want to store dry ingredients? Simple! Pot a little plant? Of course! As versatile as they are cute, glass jars are the ultimate storage staple.

But in order to reuse them, it's necessary to remove their labels, which undercut both aesthetic appeal and sanitary standards. Sometimes, label adhesive can be particularly sticky though, which is why TikTok DIYer and food creator Nicole Keshishian Modic (@kalejunkie) is back with some label removal wizardry for us all to implement.

To get started, you’ll need a few basic pieces of kitchen equipment, as well as classic non-toxic cleaning staples you likely already have in your pantry.

According to Nicole, the above method should work on "99% of jars." However, some are treated with an intense glue mixture that still may not respond to the vinegar-soap mixture. For those pesky jars, try this special treatment.

Now that your collection of glass jars is rid of all that icky glue, let's talk about using them throughout your house. Beyond the storage hacks provided earlier, there are numerous other eco-friendly ways to make the most of your jars.

Consider taking them grocery shopping with you to purchase bulk ingredients without plastic. Or, make a simple but heartfelt gift for a friend without all that packing material. To fully embrace reusing the jars, also be sure to check out some classic Mason jar accessories, which can make them even more functional.

Remember: each repurposed jar isn't just a buck saved for you; it's also saving our oceans from dangerous plastics. So, keep calm and recycle on, Planeteers!