The Creek Line House

The No Sweat, Chemical-Free way to Remove Labels and Glue Residue from Your Jars

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The best way to remove labels from jars!  We’ll show you how to remove glue from glass without using harsh chemicals so your jars will be ready for a new life!

The best way to remove labels from jars! We'll show you how to remove glue from glass without using harsh chemicals so your jars will be ready for new life!
Jars are so popular right now aren’t they? I’m talking about standard Mason jars, of course, but also jars of all shapes and sizes. People are re-using them for crafts, storage, and pretty much anything you can imagine. Of course, the labels never come off clean and leave a little stubborn glue behind.  So before you can do any of these fun things, you need to figure out how to remove glue from glass jars.

I always save my jars, but never end up using them because I always dread having to get all the little pieces of labels and glue off of them, so they just sit in my cupboard. This last weekend though, I needed some for a little craft we were doing at Kennedy’s Halloween party, so I needed to suck it up and get the job done. Of course, you could just buy a pack of smooth mason jars, but it’s a little more satisfying to reuse old jars, isn’t it?

Inspiration: 3 Ways to Paint Mason Jars

I’ve read that a lot of people swear by using nail polish remover when they try to remove labels, but since I had quite a few jars to do, and since I’m really paranoid about inhaling chemicals for any length of time, I thought it would be a good opportunity to find a better way.

And I did! Yay!

How to Remove Glue From Glass

The best way to remove glue from glass jars!

I started with an assortment of different jars. (Side note: Is it totally weird for people from the US to see that one side of our labels is in French here in Canada? It seems like that would be weird if you weren’t used to it.)

Soak in soapy water.

First, I dropped them into a sink of hot soapy water to get them extra clean and to help remove the paper part of the labels.

Related: How to remove coffee and tea stains from mugs naturally

All the paper is gone. But the glue...

You can see that on some jars, this pretty much took off all of the label and glue. On others…not so much.

Magic mixture to remove glue from glass jars! Oil + Baking Soda

Here’s what finally did the trick for me: I made a paste of equal parts baking soda and oil. I used olive oil just because that’s what was sitting out on my counter. I’m sure any oil would do, though.

The paste was rubbed all over the jars and left it on for a few minutes. I think I went and folded half a load of laundry or something. You can see I wasn’t careful to keep the counter clean during this process… at all.

The Results!

Final step to remove glue from glass jars. Ready to clean up.

I took a clean cloth and started wiping the paste away, along with the glue underneath it. The oil softened the glue up and the baking soda added a little bit of abrasiveness. This was one of the tougher gluey jars and it just came right off.

Related: How to clean spray paint off of skin!

Green scrubby for toughest glues.

Because there are so many different types of glues on jars, it’s hard to find something that will work to remove labels on absolutely everything all the time. If you need a little extra oomph, don’t reach for a stronger chemical! Grab one of these little green scrubbies instead! Because it’s just olive oil and baking soda, you can feel free to use your regular everyday dish scrubby and just rinse it out afterwards.  You can see mine is very well-used around here.

Sparkling clean, glue-free jars.

Your Jars are Ready for a New Life

The result was this: perfectly clean jars, all ready for crafting! And I got to spend the rest of the afternoon not worrying about if I had poisoned myself and whether I should open a few more windows.

It’s pretty neat! Give it a try!  Now that you know how to remove glue from glass the safest and easiest way, you’ll have no problem prepping enough jars for all your amazing ideas.

The best way to remove labels from jars!  We'll show you how to remove glue from glass without using harsh chemicals so your jars will be ready for a new life!

The best way to remove labels from jars!  We'll show you how to remove glue from glass without using harsh chemicals so your jars will be ready for a new life!

If you like clever cleaning tips, tricks, and hacks like this, check out my book The Cleaning Ninja! It’s full of all-new cleaning and organizing tips from front to back and it’s available now wherever you like to buy your books!
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Courtenay Hartford
Author at The Creek Line House | Website | + posts

Courtenay Hartford is the author of creeklinehouse.com, a blog based on her adventures renovating a 120-year-old farmhouse in rural Ontario, Canada. On her blog, Courtenay shares interior design tips based on her own farmhouse and her work as founder and stylist of the interior photography firm Art & Spaces. She also writes about her farmhouse garden, plant-based recipes, family travel, and homekeeping best practices. Courtenay is the author of the book The Cleaning Ninja and has been featured in numerous magazines including Country Sampler Farmhouse Style, Better Homes and Gardens, Parents Magazine, Real Simple, and Our Homes.

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Comments

    • Sid says

      I have been using plain paraffin. I keep a little bottle at the wash up, and simply dip my finger into the bottle, and rub onto the glue. It will get all gooey, simply wash off with soapy pad.

      Reply

  2. Bethany says

    Wonderful! I have the same fears with harsh chemicals. I’m saving jars for wedding decor and needed to find a way to get those labels off. Thank you for sharing. I’m pinning it.

    Reply

      • Patti Teeters says

        Try writing it down on a small piece of paper and taping it inside a cabinet door. It’s always right there for you. You could use a cork board pin and tell everyone you know how to pin now! Ha Ha Good luck and God Bless.

        Reply

      • Elaine says

        Sue McElroy, I am an old fogey, too, but I discovered that it’s easy to start a Pinterest account! Just go to http://www.pinterest.com/join/ and it will prompt you through the steps. It’s a really fun, cool way to save all kinds of stuff you see online! I’m a hoarder of things like recipes and articles on crafts … even though the odds of my making even a few of the things I’ve saved are slim to none! Good luck and have fun with this!

        Reply

        • Joyce Morgan says

          I do this too. It probably takes up a lot of space in my iPad but…I love going back and seeing what I have saved.

          Reply

      • Elaine says

        Sue McElroy, I almost forgot … the Pinterest site will ask you if you want to add their icon to your toolbar, which lets you just click on it anytime you see something you want to pin. It’s a red circle with a white “P” in it. This is one of the most useful things I’ve come across!

        Reply

      • Helen says

        If you look at the top of the article, usually on the picture itself, there is a Pinterest icon that will show up. Click it and select where you want to add the article/recipe. Hope this helped you.

        Reply

  3. Anonymous says

    This is awesome! I wish someone had told me this before our wedding last December- we had so many labels to remove from jars we were using for our candy centerpieces.
    As for the side note on the labels, I wouldn’t have noticed if you didn’t say something.

    Reply

  6. Jenny Piirto says

    awesome! I can always get the paper off, but the glue is another story! I’m pinning this to find when I need it, thanks!

    Reply

  7. Wendy says

    Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have been struggling with this lately and loved hearing how you got the glue off with safe “foodstuffs”. I can’t wait to try this on some great Mason jars waiting around with sticky glue on them.

    Reply

  8. Waco Bayless says

    Great idea and, much cheaper than ising Goo Gone. On another note, here in the US, our labels are printed in Spanish on one side.

    Reply

  10. speck says

    AND…. i put the green srubbers in a place in the yard to recycle for next spring…i use them instead of weed spray. add to top of dirt, under mulch, and no weeds…ever. and the bio-degrade on their own. nice touch for gardeners. holds more moisture in also. and strawberries dont get the ”dirt mold” on the fruit

    Reply

  13. javajulz says

    well, thank you Miss Genius! perfect timing for me since my husband just said the jar collection was going in the recycling next week if I didn’t do something with them. just saw another post where she spray painted all her jar tops so they looked like a set. perfect! sometimes I feel kinda un-smart. Good thing there’s pinterest and blogs!!

    Reply

  16. Beth Hoff says

    This is great. I just soaked about 40 jars overnight and grr couldn’t get half the glue off. So I am glad I found this helpful info.

    Reply

  17. Anonymous says

    I use a razor blade and they scrape right off. Just like the mechanic uses to change the stickers in your windshield for oil changes.
    You can buy “widgets” at walmart for about a dollar. Cute little plastic holder that holds a blade to help you grip it. very handy.

    Reply

  18. Gab says

    Presumably, this would work with just about any vegetable-based oil, right?

    Because I wouldn’t waste olive oil on jars, but I would gladly use the “vegetable” (read: soybean) oil that I still have a jug of and don’t want to eat. 🙂

    Reply

  19. Joan says

    What a great tip. I have a couple of jars sitting on my counter waiting for a treatment. BTW, I found your website via Pinterest and when I looked at your farm house photo, I thought “that place looks familiar”. It’s not that I know the house but I grew up in Port Lambton, on a farm and sure enough you’re a SW Ontario gal! Love the blog!

    Reply

  22. Anonymous says

    if you can find it, Eucalyptus oil gets the goop off with just a wipe… you can even add it to the warm water when soaking the jars and they’ll need even less attention afterwards.

    Reply

  23. Anonymous says

    Another way to get rid of labels and glue is to use a hairdryer. Blowing hot air on the jar quickly melts the glue and it is easily removed. No mess, no fuss.

    Reply

  30. Anonymous says

    Some of the glues do have different chemical makeup and are harder to get off. I use this all the time but one some glues it takes a little longer for this solution to work. I usually leave it on overnight. It does work great on glass but some of the jar lids are harder to get off the label but leaving it on overnight should release just about any glue on the metal lids.

    Reply

  31. Anonymous says

    In the spirit of economical I use oil that is going rancid instead of using good oil. You are just re-purposing the oil instead of throwing it out. It is not like you will be consuming it and you will be washing the container when the glue is removed anyway and non-toxic. It might not smell the best but still effective.

    Reply

    • Terry Clark says

      Trying sprinkling baking soda in lids and let sit overnight. Or spray with Odo-Ban. It will remove ANY smell. It’s made with eucalyptus oil. Then just wash as usual. Bought a gallon of this over twenty years ago and still have almost half gallon! You dilute it with water and a little goes a long way.

      Reply

  33. Robyn says

    What about removing adhesive (sticky) from metal ~ say from gold silverware?
    I tried Goop off – Googone, fumes are a no no for me ~ Help!

    Reply

  34. Anna Wassenaar says

    Those glues they use are one of my biggest pet peeves! I’m gonna try this next time I want a naked jar!

    Now, what can we do about all those jars with odd shapes & corners that are impossible to get all the nut butter/jam/honey/ other sticky stuff out of?

    Reply

  36. Laura C says

    I’m so glad I found this. I’ve been scrubbing glue for hours and have many more to go to get ready for a wedding. This will make my life so much easier. Thank you thank you thank you.

    Reply

  37. Anonymous says

    I have used peanut butter. It worked on some, the last time I tried it, not so good. Must have been the jar or the glue being different. {Also, my husband was a TV tech, (1980’s) We reconditioned TV’s & sold them. If there was any kind of glue from a sticker on the screen, he used WD-40. (also, contact paper to cover scratched top & side. or shoe polish.. just a little note thrown in.)} Thanks, I love your great tips.

    Reply

  38. Anonymous says

    I’ve done this, but without the soda. Great idea! By the way, we have a lot of Spanish labeling here in Washington State, as I’m sure others do as well.

    Reply

  39. Anonymous says

    I’ve done this, but without the soda. Great idea! By the way, we have a lot of Spanish labeling here in Washington State, as I’m sure others do as well.

    Reply

    • LilyV says

      Heat the bottle for a couple of minutes ( hair dryer, microwave, oven etc.) then using essential oil – rose or eucalyptus etc. wipe off glue with a paper towel. Wash well with dish soap and warm water.

      Reply

  42. cherie clark says

    Great tip…I use WD-40 on jars that aren’t going to hold food. And the oil with salt but I bet baking soda will work better! I have also used two sponges one with baking soda on the jar topped with a sponge soaked in vinegar and that works for quite a few glues but not all.
    I tend to peel off the paper then microwave the jar untill the glue is softened it’s a quick fix when you need a jar and can’t soak overnight. I do put hot water in the jar before putting it in the microwave.

    Reply

  43. Anonymous says

    I use so many jars to store dehydrated food in so I’m constantly removing labels, and I will certainly try this method. I keep a dishpan handy for soaking in hot soapy water, but often have had to go to acetone for some things, so I want to try this instead. And no, a dual-language label isn’t weird to Americans at all. Our labels are all English/Spanish.

    Reply

    • June says

      I am from Canada and everything we buy is in French and English, and I mean everything. I love all the great tips for removing glue . I have been fighting glue all my life and it is great to know there is an easier way. Thanks all.

      Reply

  44. Anonymous says

    has anyone tried Eucalyptus oil? I have used it since forever & not only does it remove glue it’s also great for getting gum out of hair

    Reply

  45. Anonymous says

    Once the paper is off I use Sweet Almond Oil it is kinda expensive but it doesn’t take much just put a light coat on the jar where the sticker was and let it sit overnight and it comes off easily. The jar of Sweet Almond Oil was around $7.00 for a 4oz. jar but it has lasted me for years and I still have a half a jar left.

    Reply

  46. Donna says

    Wow. I must have invented the oil technique in my teens. As for the food…. Soak em overnight and save your old toothbrushes for those pesky little jobs

    Reply

  47. leslie wuest says

    U use boinling water and ladel it onto the jar. Using my pan scraper, I simply scrape of the paper and it comes off like magic. For the glue residue, I use creamy peanut butter. I rub a little on and use a paper towel to rub the residue off. Finally I wipe it down with rubbing alcohol. It literally takes 5 minutes (after the water boils)

    Reply

  48. Anonymous says

    Eucalyptus oil – keep a bottle in your cupboard. Fantastic for getting off sticky labels, soap scum in your shower etc and smells great. I use it for heaps of things around the house.

    Reply

  49. Sandi says

    Been using olive oil for years. I usually just rub in on the label, and let it sit for several hours to a day. It soaks through everything, and a lot of times the label will just slide right off.

    Reply

  50. Anonymous says

    There’s an even easier way….just heat the label with a blow dryer….the heat makes it easy to “peel” the label off! some stubborn labels take longer than others but it works…good for any glass surface like those annoying labels on picture frames!

    Reply

  53. Li says

    I’ll have to try this! And to answer your question about the languages on the labels, in Texas (where I’m from) there are quite a few labels that have one side in English and the other in Spanish. And even if it doesn’t have a whole label dedicated to Spanish, it will have directions and/or ingredients in Spanish. If it also has directions/ingredients in French then you know its the fancy stuff lol. I’m not sure how extensive the dual labels are but I imagine they show up in other border states, if nowhere else.

    Reply

  54. MissDinTexas says

    I did the same thing except at the end, instead of baking soda and oil I used a little spray of WD40 on my green scrubbie, comes off easy peasy.
    Thank you for sharing!!!
    “Happy Crafting”

    Reply

  56. Unknown says

    Thanks for the tip to remove the glue and labels from old food jars. I’m trying to reuse jars to store toys for my son. I’m wondering if anyone knows how to remove the smell or stains on the lids?

    Reply

    • amanda says

      Ive used bleach and dish soap on my spaghetti jars but never got the stian out.I’m going to try vinager and baking soda next

      Reply

  58. sarah says

    thank you! this is so great! i repurpose vitamin bottles for some spices because the dark tinted glass makes the spices keep their flavor better and the labels are such a little b to get rid of.

    Reply

  59. Danelle says

    Thank you! I just bought some new glasses and I can’t get the price tags off of the bottom. Going to try this right away. And my husband is Canadian and we lived there for 5 years, so the French labels–not weird. 🙂

    Reply

  60. Mari says

    I usually just use a hair dryer to “heat” the labels right off! If I encounter a really stubborn one I’ll give this a try!

    Reply

  61. Rebekah says

    I save those thin plastic containers from the grocery store that hold muffins, cupcakes, cookies, and even the cake ones! I use them to send treats to school with the kids. ( I would never get my good Tupperware back!) Do you think that this would work for getting the bakery stickers off as well?

    Reply

  62. JELLI says

    GENIUS! I’VE BEEN TRYING FOR AGES TO GET THE LABELS OFF MY STARBUCKS BOTTLES SO I COULD USE THEM AS DRINKING JARS, AND NOW i CAN FINALLY DO IT!! PINNED. THANKS SO MUCH.

    Reply

  63. Shannon says

    Thank you so much for posting this! My daughter has asthma and I don’t want to use any smelly chemicals on anything if I can avoid it.

    Reply

    • kddomingue says

      Try using a blow-dryer on a low setting. Warms up the glue under the label and they normally lift right off.

      Reply

  67. Carol Crawford-Jones says

    This worked! Finally. Goo Gone did NOT work nor did anything else. Who would have thought that baking soda and olive oil would be the solution for clearing up the glue residue. So glad I finally found this web site! Thanks SO much.

    Reply

  69. Elgin Grandma says

    Works perfectly at described! This one is getting taped to the inside of the cabinet door next to the sink…..!!! Not many things get taped to my inside cabinet doors, so this is a good one!!!

    Reply

  70. Lisa says

    Thank you for this tip! I am decorating old jars to make centrepieces for my wedding and was struggling to get the glue off – some glues were more difficult to get off than others but a good scrub with oil and baking soda and the jars are now squeaky clean 😀

    Reply

  74. maria says

    This is a great tip! I wouldve never thought about oil!! Another suggestion is to soak jars in warm soapy water and tgen use a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol.
    It works phenomenally! 🙂

    Reply

  75. Una says

    Great tips. Don’t know what everyone if worried about the language on labels if you lived in Europe and shop at Lidl the products have an average of 20 languages on them only problem I have is English is normally half way through. Keep up the tipping

    Reply

  78. Elizabeth Barone says

    This worked like a charm! I’ve been using old candle jars for binder clips and other office supplies at my desk. They look super pretty in my work area. The glue in the Yankee Candle jars washes out like nothing, but I’d been scrubbing at my Bath & Body Works candle jars for days. I tried soaking them in hot water and Dawn, soaking in rubbing alcohol, and even Murphy’s (I ran out of Goo Gone), to no avail. You just saved me from even more futile scrubbing! Thanks a bunch! 🙂

    Reply

  79. Janis says

    I had used dishwashing soap (Dawn) on some candle jar labels but it didn’t work on these other baker’s sugar jars I had. I tried your method and it worked right away! Thank you. (This is a dream come true for me: log on to the internet and find the answer to any question you may have!) 🙂

    Reply

  81. Jill says

    I can’t believe this works so well. I have a jar I was trying to remove the glue from for the past 3 weeks, soaking in soapy water between attempts to remove the glue. I was so tired of the bowl of water being on my benchtop so was determined to find a way that works today. Thank goodness I found this site.

    It is a lovely square jar and the glue covered 3 sides. I had tried baking soda and I had tried oil, but not together – this was like a miracle, just came straight off. I also used the leftovers to clean the glass in the oven door and it came up sparkling.

    Thanks for the tip

    Reply

    • Courtenay says

      Vinegar really is pretty much the best stuff, isn’t it? There’s a new use for it every day it seems! Thanks for sharing, Julia!

      Reply

  87. Gretchen says

    Great idea! Last time I used WD-40, and it stunk! Olive oil is a much friendlier – and probably equally effective – idea. Definitely going to give it a try, thanks!

    Reply

  89. Gynnie says

    I have so many jars and still has the sticker on them is really annoying that your remedy helped. Thanks. A happy Kiwi.

    Reply

    • Courtenay says

      Great news, Gynnie! Thanks for letting me know! I love hearing when things work out for people as well as they worked out for me!

      Reply

  90. Cara@redhousedrygoods says

    Thank you for posting this! I keep jars too, my husband thinks I’m crazy for it. They are just too handy to toss though! Can’t wait to try this tonight on some of them.

    Reply

  92. Amy P says

    My mother-in-law the other day showed me an easier way to remove sticker/glue. Fill the jars with hot water, put lids back on and let them sit for a 1/2 hour or so. Then just peel it right off, it’s was that easy.

    Reply

  94. Pat Loring says

    Oil and baking soda sure did the trick!! Another suggestion is, take your dry glass jar and heat up the label and it peels off magically. Then use the oil (I used canola) and equal amount baking soda. I’m one happy crafter!! Thanks Canada!!!

    Reply

  95. Betty Cosgrove says

    This is a trick I learned many years ago that has always worked for me to remove the paper part of the label: Fill the clean jar with water up past the level of the label. Microwave it for a minute or two, depending on how hot your water was when you started and the size of the jar, you want it very hot. Remove it from the microwave, let it sit for a minute or two, and starting from one corner of the label, working very slowly, you can generally pull the label off because it warms the glue. This won’t work as well if the label has strips of glue running around it in several places, but normally works if the label is glued in one spot and then glued to itself . Often you will be left with the sticky residue and then you can use the Joyce’s remedy to remove it.

    Reply

  97. Eric says

    Peanut Butter works with no scrubbing.
    Simply apply, leave for 15 minutes or so
    and wash off. Truly Amazing results!

    Reply

  98. Charlie says

    I just used this on jars that have had the glue on them for months.
    Every time I tried a new solution to take the glue off.
    None worked.
    This is the only thing that worked!

    Thank you so much

    Reply

  99. McKt says

    Thanks so much for this! I have the candles I love, but they have labels I don’t. I haven’t wanted to coat them in a chemical or use something I would have to submerge in water to remove. This worked perfectly. I was able to rub off the super sticky glue (I’m guessing it was tougher because it needed to hold while the candle was lit), wipe it clean and display without bemoaning the ugly label.

    Reply

  101. Amy says

    Just fill the jar with water and microwave for a few minutes. The jar needs to be super hot. The label and glue will peal right off. On the toughest labels it may tear a bit or leave a residue. I wash that off with oil, soap and a magic eraser.

    Reply

  105. Janice says

    After soaking the jars to get most of the label off, I rub peanut butter on the glue areas, let it sit for a few minutes and scrub it off with the little green scrubbie. Any inexpensive peanut butter will work. It’s the abrasiveness paired with the oil that does the trick. Also useful to take labels and price tags off picture frames and mirrors.

    Reply

  106. Mallory says

    Unfortunately this did not work for me. I waited at least 5 minutes; maybe that wasn’t long enough. Resulted to wd-40 which worked great, but ew.

    Reply

  108. Elena says

    Sounds great I will definitely give it a try. Just a heads up. Be careful not to leave baking soda mixture on wooden counters or tables, it leaves a horrible stain!

    Reply

  109. mike says

    In reply to your comment about everything being in half French, a lot of our products and instructions are half in Spanish haha. So most of us probably would not think it is strange. Here in Las Vegas, Nevada half of the billboards and ads are also in Spanish because we are closer to Mexico than some of the other states.

    Reply

  110. Vicki says

    I used this to remove labels from metal buckets I am using for a Christmas project! Had already gone through several things with no luck when I read this! With in minutes the label and glue was gone! Thank you!

    Reply

  111. Regina Cosio says

    It worked! I really wanted to repurpose a special jar, but I was not having any luck removing the adhesive with my usual methods. I was preparing myself to either buy a chemical remover or let the jar go. A quick online search brought me to this fantastic solution. This will be extremely helpful for future crafting projects. Thank you!

    Reply

  114. Kim says

    Thanks Courtenay,
    This solution is amazing. I used it on a plastic spray bottle. I soaked my bottle in hot soapy water just for a few moments and the paper came right off. Then I mixed up the solution and spread it over the bottle. I did not have to wait and the glue came right off. I won’t use anything else from now on.

    Kim

    Reply

  115. Lucy Lockhart says

    I have a copper sink so I cannot put any chemicals in it. My friend’s mother always used margarine but found it not as effective. I soak the jars and plastic containers like you do, but I get rid of the glue and paper residue with peanut butter. I like the addition of baking soda, will try next time, as you said some jars are easier to clean than others. I bought some counter stools that I searched high and low for, then had to order. Finally they came, on one of those chair legs was a sticky and very long piece of glued side wrap. Trust me, I was in a panic. This was 11:00 at night. Hit the net and the advice was peanut butter. It worked! They looked brand new, as they should have….I love baking soda, so many uses.

    Reply

  116. Yami says

    This is awesome! You are my HERO!!! Thanks so much for this post. I just cleaned all the jars my mother was going to throw away and she couldn’t believe it herself! She is so happy now, thank you, thank you, thank you!!! <3 <3

    Reply

  118. Ron says

    I’ve also just used plain old steel wool scrubbers to take the glass off, it won’t scratch the glass and it takes the glue off, no sweat.

    Reply

    • Courtenay says

      Yes! I can’t believe I forgot to mention that because that was one of my favorite things about this method too! 🙂

      Reply

  120. Emily S says

    I started using nail polish remover to get the labels off my jars. Certainly not chemical-free, but it works really well. I’ll have to try this first and maybe switch to nail polish remover only for really stubborn parts.

    Also have you found anything to help with the strong smelling lids? We’ve tried so many things, but I feel like the most helpful thing has been to light some newspaper, throw it in the jar and close the lid quickly. I usually leave it for like a day and then wash the jar again. It makes it smell a little smokey, but it beats putting homemade dried apples in a spaghetti-smelling jar.

    I’d love to find something that just makes it smell like a plain old jar again! 🙂

    eemmllee.wordpress.com

    Reply

    • Courtenay says

      Hi Emily! You’re so clever with your idea for burning the newspaper! I usually like to use a baking soda paste applied directly on to the lid and left for a few hours, and then I wash it away with some vinegar and water, but I think your idea sounds so much for fun and definitely worth a try!

      Reply

  121. Jane says

    “I’ve read that a lot of people swear by using nail polish remover, but since I had quite a few jars to do, and since I’m really paranoid about inhaling chemicals for any length of time, I thought it would be a good opportunity to find a better way.”
    Well, theoretically soap, baking soda and even water are chemical substances. They are just classified in Organic and Inorganic chemicals. What’s important to to know – you should not be afraid of organic ones. 🙂
    Anyways, thanks for the tips!

    Reply

    • Elizabeth says

      THANK YOU! I came to the comment section to mention this. Baking soda is Sodium Bicarbonate (NaCHO3), and olive oil is oleochemicals acid [CH3(CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)7COOH].

      I guarantee the gal above puts dihydrogen monoxide in her copper sink several times a week. Not all chemicals are scary.

      Reply

  122. Tom v says

    Fantastic! great tip, thanks for that. They refer to this as a ‘life hack’ now. I never thought I’d get excited about removing glue from a jar. The oil and baking soda worked right away. I would have just recycled the jar or put a label on the exposed glue. As much as i can, I’m avoiding plastics in my life.

    Reply

    • Courtenay says

      I’m so glad you liked this one, Tom! Good for you for saving your glass jars to replace plastic items! 🙂

      Reply

  123. Vinod says

    Please use kerosene or petrol or Alcohol they all work as solvent for glue. dab with Cotten on label. wait a while.
    The glue will be soften. Remove sticker smoothly . Wipe the remaining glue with the help of soaked Cotten in above solvent. Now wash with simple soap water.

    Reply

  124. Sandy Lamkin says

    Oh my; thank you, thank you, thank you!! This tip is just fantastic! I found it on Pinterest. I just love finding things that make life a little easier. I am pinning this and printing it to keep in my Handy Hint notebook. Have a glorious day.

    Reply

    • Courtenay says

      Yay! I love finding little things like this too, but I love it even MORE when I share these ideas and they actually end up being helpful to other people! So glad you liked this one, Sandy!

      Reply

  125. Jessie says

    I just used this method to remove sticky residue on glass salt and pepper shakers. I’m amazed! I left the paste on about an hour or so and barely had to scrub at all. Thanks so much for the great tip!

    Reply

  126. Andrea says

    This is AMAZING! My son and I have been working on a coconut oil jar for a week, but to no avail. Today I slathered on the paste and let it sit while I cleaned the kitchen. Wiped off with. Paper towel!! Thanks for sharing this cleaning hack!

    Reply

  127. Amy says

    Not sure if someone posted this, butt if you fill the jar with super hot water. ( I just fill it with water and microwave it for a few minutes) then you can use an oven mitt to hold it still while you peel the label right off. So quick and easy.

    Reply

  128. Shirley says

    Hi, I have been using this baking soda/oil method for years! I keep all glass jars that come through my home, as well as many cans from veggies, fruits, sauces, coffee, whatever! I keep a butter tub under my sink filled with this mixture so I always have it on hand. I find that when I have a thick real tough glue on some things that if I leave the glass, jar, can or whatever sit over night it is much easier to get off. I use a hot wet cloth or scrubbie pad if needed. I do a lot of thrift shopping and remove all of my tags this way as well. It has made my life so much easier! With the glass items, I also put them in the dishwasher too after the glue is gone to make them sparkling clean!

    Reply

  129. gianmar says

    Guys…try this…just put the olive oil on the glue and leave it there for 4/6 days…u will amazed on how easily the glue will dissolve..:-) 🙂

    Reply

  130. gianmar says

    Guys…just olive oil leave it there for 4/6 days and VOILA’— it will easily dissolve the glue!!!

    Reply

  131. Jen says

    I have also had good luck with essential oils. After washing and removing most of the paper, I then put a couple drops on the glass bottle with resudue. Let sit a minute and scrubbed. EO’s ate right through the left over sticky stuff. I know that EOs eat through petrochemicals. Could be that the sticky glue is made of that. ????

    Reply

    • Courtenay says

      Love those essential oils! I keep finding new uses for them all the time! Thanks so much for sharing, Jen!

      Reply

  132. RedAstro4 says

    This is so awesome, u must have esp bc I was just looking for something like this. Instead for the nail polish remover, I heard & have used only zippo lighter fluid previously. Thkx so much for this nontoxic recipe! ♡♡

    Reply

  133. Constance says

    I use vegetable oil, and what’s more…. I save the mix in a little jar on my counter & reuse it! Whatever I scrape off the jars, goes back into the “master jar” till I need it again. Been using the same oil/soda mix for about 3 months now.

    Reply

  134. Shaakirah Patel says

    Worked so well thanks so much!!!! For years been struggling to get glue off jars definitely best way yet

    Reply

  135. Anonymous Chemistry/Biology student @ U of Arizona says

    While this is a nice tip, I just wanted folks to know that acetone/nail polish remover is not harmful to you if you don’t sniff copious amounts of it. Our bodies (and other living things) produce small amounts of acetone naturally anyway. So don’t fear acetone/paint thinner… just don’t have a glass of it each night with dinner either.

    Reply

    • Courtenay says

      Ha! 🙂 Thanks so much for the info! I appreciate you giving me one less thing to worry so much about!

      Reply

    • Joyce says

      Soaking for the paper, razor scraper for the glue, and lemon essential oil on a bit of paper towel for the slight residue left after scraping. Goes faster than it sounds ????.
      Then I might give it a quick soapy wash. The lemon smells great unless you’re a cat,lol.

      Reply

      • Joyce says

        HaHa! I didn’t even notice that I was replying to “cat” until after I posted. My kitty quite dislikes the smell of lemon????.

        Reply

  137. Danette says

    Thank you sooooo much! This worked like a charm on some tin cans I am using for a craft project. I saw other blogs say to use Goo be Gone but I wasn’t really wanting to head out to the store on a busy Saturday afternoon and super happy to not have to pay any money.

    Reply

    • Courtenay says

      Yay! I’m so glad! It’s nice to keep your cupboards from getting too cluttered up with yet another bottle of some random cleaner too, isn’t it?

      Reply

  138. SHERYL JECMEN says

    I USE ALCOHOL PREP PADS CAUSE I ALREADY HAVE THEM AROUND MY HOUSE,DUE TO MY HUSBAND BEING A DIABETIC. IT WORKS QUITE WELL THEN I WASH THEM IN THE DISHWASHER TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE CLEAN AND STERILE AND NO HARMFUL CHEMICALS ARE LEFT BEHIND. HOWEVER ALCOHOL IS USED ON OUR BODIES ALL THE TIME.

    Reply

  139. Connie Randall says

    I want to donate my empty plastic prescription bottles to a group who sends them to Africa. I wonder if this method would be safe for them, as there is still the frustrating issue of taking off the glue from each one. I might try it.

    Reply

  142. Sean says

    I was skeptical but this method worked so well!! I have 2 glass spice jars with really sticky labels that I wanted to use for homemade chili flakes. I was just going to cover up the labels because I didn’t want to use chemicals, but decided to try this.

    I left the paste on for about 10 minutes and the residue washed completely off without any effort. Now I have 2 brand new looking spice jars ready to use. Thank you!!

    Reply

  144. Anna says

    I tried! I cleaned 25 baby food jars using your method and it worked! I just left mine over night covered in your paste and it came right off when i got up in the am. Thank you!

    Reply

  145. Derek says

    This is great! It’s really surprising how easily olive oil + baking soda took some stubborn glue off a beer bottle I was cleaning. Zero elbow grease required.

    Reply

  146. Anonymous says

    This worked great, thank you.

    FYI I didn’t have baking soda so I used salt instead, which also served as a sufficient abrasive.

    Reply

  147. Linda says

    Hi ,I’ve recently been saving jars for Christmas candle decorations and was wondering how I was going to remove the stubborn glue .Then hey! Up pops your email. Thanks,I’m going to give it go this weekend????

    Reply

  148. Tisa says

    Hey thanks, this really works, put it on the glue, had a cup of coffee,went to see what was happening and the glue just came off in my hands. WOW!!!

    Reply

  149. Jenny says

    Lemon Essential Oil, just a few drops on a paper towel, will get it off in one quick step. You’re sweating way more with this method than you ever would with Lemon e.o.

    Reply

  151. Pekka says

    Whaat? I tried to get the glue off a jar for like half an hour scrubbing it with soap, cillit bang and whatnot but then I googled this and I happened to have cold pressed coconut oil on my desk. Dabbed a little bit of that on the jar and the glue came right off lol :: p Thanks a lot : )

    Reply

  152. A C says

    Don’t know how you feel about this but isopropyl alcohol works perfectly as well. The alcohol evaporates completely and isn’t what I would consider harsh or particularly harmful. I am all for green but don’t have a problem with it. Also removes “permanent” marker.

    Reply

    • Courtenay says

      I use rubbing alcohol for all kinds of things too! It’s pretty amazing stuff and I love how quickly it evaporates away!

      Reply

  153. Ivetta says

    I do basically the same thing. Wash and get the paper off in hot soapy water. Then just dab really well with any type of oil (olive, canola, vegetable – whatever you have handy) and let it set several hours or overnight. Then it will usually mostly wipe right off. If there’s a spot or 2 left, dab again and can use a plastic scraper to finish.

    Reply

  155. Maude says

    I found an easy way also to get the labels of and most come off in one piece ……I first put the jars in hot soapy water let sit for about 10 minutes …then I take the jar and fill it with hot water the hotter the better …let that sit for about 5 minutes and the label just peels right off …and there’s not any glue left on the jars .at all ……..you way looks like a good idea also….

    Reply

  156. V Valencia says

    Thank you for sharing this. I am definitely going to try this. I am helping with centerpieces for a shower. They want to use wine bottles…my first thought was, Ugh! labels!

    Reply

  157. Kim says

    I just want to say thank you. Thank you thank you thank you for posting this. I literally tried EVERYTHING to get the glue residue off and nothing was working! I saw your post and said… I tried everything else why not. Paste went on – glue came off. THANK YOU!

    Reply

  158. Jacks991 says

    This is amazing. What a good tip! I had white kitchen benches with stickers all over them. Nothing worked, not even expensive “adhesive remover”. This worked like a charm. Stickers gone! Thank you!

    Reply

  160. Sue*Maizie says

    Awesome!! Tried to get Mason jars cleaned for my daughters wedding and nothing worked except when I tried this suggestion!! Fabulous ~ thank you so much!!

    Reply

  161. Vickie says

    I have found that adding a dryer sheet or OxiClean to hot soaking water will usually make the labels come off while soaking or very easily peel right off. Most have no residue or if just a little the dryer sheet takes it right off. And every once in a while there is one that seems to have space age glue that gets trashed so will try your suggestion! Thanks

    Reply

      • Jessica says

        I did end up trying it. It doesn’t go on very easily. You have to dab it on instead of rubbing. But it worked great!!!! Left it on for like 5 mins. And it rubbed right off with just my fingers. I did soak them in really hot water with a little dawn. Fabric softener and also a dryer sheet. I think I might had went over board. Lol but hey. It worked perfectly.

        Reply

  165. Heather V says

    This totally works! Didn’t even have to use elbow grease!! I used canola oil. No mess and no chemical stink.

    Reply

    • Courtenay says

      Yay! Thanks for letting me know, Heather! It’s always so exciting for me when one of my little tips works for someone else too!

      Reply

  167. Cyta Q says

    There is another way to remove the persistent sticky glue without wasting any oil at all:
    1) Pour water up to the level of sticky glued label. Leave the jar open
    2) Microwave the jar to 3 minutes
    3) Remove the jar carefully from microwave using thick rag
    4) Use one of those alcohol-germ wipes – link free and alcohol to remove sticky glue
    5) Because the jar temperature is hot, the alcohol wipe makes very clean in one slow swipe – top to bottom
    Voila it is done without any effort at all.

    Reply

  169. Marcella says

    I also put hot water in the jar and put it in a large bowl or cup or whatever too and that helps…was just doing that now before I sat down with a tea for a break…..m

    Reply

  170. Larissa says

    Tea tree oil also works super well! So awesome there are so many chemical-free ways to remove glue from jars. I’m always doing this because I reuse my jars when I go to the bulk food store 🙂

    Reply

  171. Earth And Main says

    That worked incredibly well. I used to do the old just stuff them in the dishwasher and then scrub like hell when they came out. For some jars it worked, but then the labels would either collect in the bottom of the dishwasher, or they would re-stick themselves during the drying cycle. I’ve started buying a lot more bulk items and storing them in jars because a) it’s cheaper and b) it’s better for the environment. So, thanks for the tip.

    Reply

  173. Sue Williames says

    My mother always put water in the jar, heated in the microwave and the glue melted so label and glue came off with very little scrubbing. You can also just fill jar with hot water and let stand a bit. Again glue melts from the heat of the water.

    Reply

    • Courtenay says

      Interesting! I’m definitely going to try that! I’ve always found that there are usually stubborn bits of of glue leftover that need some extra work after hot water, but maybe the “zapping” of the microwave breaks it down or something. Hmm, very interesting. Thanks so much for sharing, Sue!

      Reply

  174. Molly C says

    This was amazing! The kombucha glass jars I tried this on have been very stubborn on step #1…soak and remove paper residue. But the oil and baking powder worked like a charm. Thank you so much!

    Reply

  175. Dolores says

    Thank you Thank you Thank You! I had a really nice Mason jar that had Vegan Alfredo sauce in it that my son had purchssed but forgot about. The sauce was no good anymore but the jar was perfect. I used this method to get the label off and now I have a beautiful jar for my overnight oats! The jar even has measurements of 1/4 1/2 and 3/4 cups on it. WONDERFUL!

    Reply

  176. Linda says

    Once the label is peeled off, as you suggest, and you’re left with the sticky bits. All you need is a cloth and eucalyptus oil. Takes sticky label residue off anything.

    Reply

  177. Jennifer says

    Why wait overnight (I’m not very patient and hate having stuff sitting around). I’m tellin’ ya’ Lemon Essential Oil will get it off in minutes. I removed an industrial appliance lock in less than 30 minutes with about 10 or 15 drops of Lemon Essential Oil.

    Reply

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