Labels on plastic bottles are instructive as well as decorative. But sometimes, you may want to remove them because they can be misleading if you want to repurpose the plastic bottles, for instance, holding other chemicals not initially contained in the bottle.
When you can’t remove the labels, you often throw away the bottles, littering the environment further. Well, I’m here to teach you how to remove labels from plastic bottles.
Read through the easy ways to remove labels from plastic bottles.
How to Remove Labels from Plastic Bottle with Water
Water comes in handy when you want to reuse that plastic bottle but hate the label around it. You can get the plastic label out and use the plastic bottle for other purposes by soaking.
The Supplies You Will Need
- A knife
- Any alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Room temperature water
- Large container
- Hot water
The Steps
For empty plastic bottles
Step 1: Peel off the labels with your hand as much as possible to remain with traces of label and sticky glue surface.
Step 2: Add hot water into a container. Do not fill the container with hot water; a couple of inches is enough.
Step 3: Fill the empty bottle with room temperature water and close and tighten the cap. Filling the empty bottle with room temperature water helps prevent the bottles from shrinking and warping that the hot water may cause.
Step 4: Place the bottle down in the container with hot water ensuring the sticky glue is submerged into the water.
Step 5: Let it soak for 10-15 minutes as the hot water works on the sticky label.
Step 6: Once the label has soaked enough, remove the bottle and scrape away the label glue while it is still wet.
You may be required to soak the plastic bottle a few times to remove the label glue. However, with patience and effort, it will eventually come off.
For New, with Unused Products, Still-Full Plastic Bottles
The Steps
Step 1: Peel off the label as much as you can using your hand to remain with few traces of the label and a sticky glue surface.
Step 2: Spread a few drops of hand sanitizer on the sticky glue. The alcohol in hand sanitizer breaks down the glue bonds making it easy to scrub or scrape away.
Step 3: Scrape away the sticky glue with a knife or scrub with an abrasive sponge. Avoid trying to cut under the glue, as you may accidentally cut the bottle.
Step 4: While scrubbing or scraping, add a few drops of hand sanitizer to remove all the sticky glue.
Step 5: Once clean, wipe away the hand sanitizer residues with a towel.
How to Remove Label from Plastic Bottles with Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol contains ingredients that easily dissolve the sticky glue, making it easy to remove. Using rubbing alcohol is inexpensive, easy, and simple to use.
The Supplies You Will Need
- Hot water
- Rubbing alcohol
- Craft felt
- Sponge
- Dish soap
- Towel
- Gloves
The Steps
Step 1: Fill the bottle with hot water. Ensure the water level is inches above the label.
Step 2: Let the bottle sit for a few minutes as the water weakens the label. You will notice the label swelling, especially areas with glue.
Step 3: Carefully peel off the label with your hand to remain with a sticky glue plastic surface.
Step 4: Add rubbing alcohol to a small piece of craft felt and rub it over the sticky glue.
Step 5: Rub in circular motions until all the sticky glue is gone. Add more rubbing alcohol if necessary.
Step 6: Once clean, wash the bottle with warm soapy water and a sponge.
Step 7: Rinse and allow it to air dry or dry it with a towel.
You can also use lighter fluid or cheap Vodka to remove labels from your plastic bottle if you don’t have some rubbing alcohol.
How to Remove Labels from Plastic Bottles with Nail Polish Remover (Acetone)
Acetone or nail polish remover is a strong solvent, so I recommend it on labels with strong adhesives. It has cleaning properties that easily softens the adhesive making it lose its grip on the plastic bottle.
Acetone/nail polish remove sometimes can melt plastic or remove its color. Ensure to spot test in an inconspicuous area before proceeding with the cleaning process.
The Supplies You Will Need
- Acetone/Nail polish remover
- Water
- Soap
- Sponge
- Cotton ball/Clean rag
- Towel
- Gloves
The Steps
Step 1: Grab a cotton ball or a clean rag and soak it with 100% acetone nail polish remover.
Step 2: Work it over the plastic bottle label in circular motions. Ensure the label is saturated with the solvent.
Step 3: Let the label soak for 10-15 minutes as the solvent weakens the label. Do not wait for too long because acetone may melt the plastic.
Step 4: Once the label has weakened, peel it off carefully, removing as much label as possible.
Step 5: Use a sponge dampened in nail polish remover to scrub off any adhesive left on the bottle.
Step 6: Once clean, wash with warm soapy water and a sponge to remove acetone and sticky glue residue.
Step 7: Rinse with clean water and wipe with a clean towel. There you have your plain plastic bottle.
How to Remove Label from Plastic Bottles Using Oil (Olive, Canola or Vegetable Oil)
Oil is a basic need in our homes as we use them daily. However, apart from the normal use, these oils have cleaning properties that most DIYers have applied, such as removing labels from plastic bottles.
The Supplies You Will Need
- Water
- Oil (Olive, Canola or Vegetable Oil)
- Sponge
- Towel
- Craft felt
- Soap
- Gloves
The Steps
Step 1: Fill the bottle with hot water. Make sure the water is inches above the label.
Step 2: Let it sit for a few minutes as the label weakens.
Step 3: Carefully peel off the label. It easily peels off, so you won’t need to apply pressure to remove it.
Step 4: Add some oil on a small piece of craft felt and rub it over the sticky glue that remains after peeling off the label.
Step 5: Continue rubbing firmly in circular motions until all the sticky glue is removed. If necessary, add some oil and allow it to soak for a few minutes before rubbing again.
Step 6: Once clean, wash with warm soapy water and a sponge to remove oil and sticky glue traces.
Step 7: Rinse with clean water and dry with a towel.
How to Remove Labels from Plastic Bottles with Baking Soda and Oil
A mixture of baking soda and oil will also do the trick as they contain ingredients that act as adhesive removers. You can use olive, canola or vegetable oil.
The Supplies You Will Need
- Towel
- Oil
- Baking soda
- Water
- Soap
- Clean rag
- Gloves
The Steps
Step 1: Pour some hot water into the bottle and allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes.
Step 2: Peel off the label carefully. If the label is not coming off easily, allow it to sit for a couple of minutes before trying to peel off again. After peeling, you will see some sticky residues.
Step 3: Mix equal parts of oil and baking soda to form a thick paste.
Step 4: Apply it on the sticky residues and scrub with your hands or clean rag to remove the adhesive.
Step 5: If the adhesive is not lifting off easily, add more paste and allow it to sit for a few minutes before scrubbing again.
Step 6: Once clean, pour out the hot water and wash the surface with warm soapy water and a sponge to remove oil and adhesive residues.
Step 7: Rinse and wipe dry with a clean towel.
How to Remove Labels from Plastic Bottles with Label Removal Products
For tough label sticky residues, resort to label removal products such as Turtle Wax Label & Sticker Remover or Goo Gone Sticker Lifter.
The Supplies You Will Need
- Label removers such as Turtle Wax Label & Sticker Remover or Goo Gone Sticker Lifter
- Water
- Paper towel
- Clean rag
- Soap
- Gloves
The Steps
Step 1: Begin with peeling off the label as much as possible.
Step 2: Pour some label remover on a clean rag and rub it on the sticky residues. Ensure to cover the sticky residues completely.
Step 3: Let the remover sit for 10-15 minutes to weaken the sticky residues.
Step 4: Rub with a paper towel in circular motions to remove all the softened sticky residues.
Step 5: Rinse with clean water and soap.
Step 6: Allow it to dry
You can also apply the label remover over the label and allow it to sit for 15 minutes before peeling off the label. Remember to wash with water and soap before repurposing the plastic bottle.
Being Safe When Removing Plastic Labels from Plastic Bottles
Use acetone/nail polish remover carefully to avoid melting the plastic.
Wear your gloves when using strong solvents such as acetone or rubbing alcohol
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get sticky labels off plastic?
Use rubbing alcohol. Dampen a paper towel or clean rag with rubbing alcohol and rub the sticky residue until it removes. Rinse with warm water and allow to dry. You can also use Vodka as an alternative.
What is the best adhesive remover?
- 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner.
- Elmer’s Sticky Out Adhesive Remover.
- Goo Gone Original Liquid Surface Safe Adhesive Remover.
- Un-du Original Formula Remover.
- Uni Solve Adhesive Remover Wipes
How do you remove labels from glass bottles?
Step 1: Mix citric acid and hot water in a non-metallic bowl. The ratio should be 1:2.
Step 2: Add enough flour and stir until it forms a thick paste.
Step 3: Apply on the label and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
Step 4: Once the pasted has hardened, scrape it off. It will come off with the label.
Step 5: Rinse the glass and repurpose it.
Bottom Line
So, I hope you have learned how to remove labels from plastic bottles. Removing labels from plastic bottles is simple, inexpensive and easy.
Also, this alternative helps in keeping the environment clean as it helps you repurpose plastic bottles.
Any method worth noting? Share in the comment section.