How to Remove Pesky Jar Labels

You’ve got your empty salsa jar in one hand, your zero-waste dreams in the other – and then… the label doesn’t come off clean. You hang your head in defeat, maybe you even let out a small whimper of frustration. We’ve all been there.

Whether you’re gearing up to refill your laundry detergent or repurposing a Bonne Maman jam jar for your new to-go matcha cup, getting your jars clean and ready for action is an essential part of the low-waste lifestyle. 

Good news: I’ve got all the gooey, sticky details on how to get those jars squeaky clean and label-free. Let’s get into it.

Why Clean Your Jars Before Refilling?

Cleaning your jars before refilling them isn't just a good hygiene practice, it’s an important part of keeping your products fresh and uncontaminated. Any leftover food residue or old soap remnants can shorten the shelf life of your refills or cause unexpected reactions.

But cleaning doesn’t mean sterilizing your jars in a lab-grade autoclave. Most of the time, a good rinse with dish soap and a scrub-down with an eco-friendly sponge is enough. Still, some jars bring their own brand of drama with labels and odors that stick around longer than the villain in a B-horror movie who just. won't. die.

Before You Even Think About Peeling… Soak.

Here’s your golden rule: stop peeling and start soaking. It’s tempting to pick at the label while you wait for the water to boil or the sink to fill. But if you start peeling dry, you’ll only end up tearing the label into paper shreds and making the adhesive even harder to deal with later.

Instead, fill your sink or a large bowl with hot, soapy water. Submerge your jars for at least 20 minutes. This softens both the paper and the adhesive underneath, giving you a way better shot at peeling it off in one go.

Once your jars have soaked, it’s time to put that elbow grease to good use. Scrape off the paper label with a butter knife, old credit card, or bamboo pot scraper. (This tool is a total game changer and is totally plastic-free.) 

Okay, so the label is off, or mostly off, but the sticky adhesive still lingers. WHYY? It's okay, I have a natural recipe to remove that gunk. Keep reading!

How to Remove Labels & Sticky Residue Like a Pro

If there’s still sticky goop on your jar, mix up a paste of:

• 1 part baking soda
• 2 parts coconut oil (or olive, avocado, any plant oil)
• A few drops of lemon essential oil (optional, but it smells amazing and helps cut through the grease!)

This label residue-remover recipe is much safer and better for you and the planet than traditional "goo-be-gone" sprays and cleaners. Credit where credit it due, this recipe is based on one I originally saw @plantbasedbaby post about on TikTok!

1. Apply the paste to the sticky area
2. Let it sit for a few hours – or overnight if you're feeling patient
3. Come back, scrub it clean with soap and a bamboo dish brush or loofah sponge
4. Rinse with warm soapy water to finish the job.

This method works like a charm on glass jars, and it’s gentle enough for most plastics, too.

What If It STILL Won’t Come Off?

Listen: not every jar was meant to be Instagram-worthy. If you’ve followed all the steps above and your jar still looks like it just clawed its way out of a label fight… let it be.

Seriously. Your jar doesn’t have to be pretty to be refill-worthy.

If you’re reusing a marinara jar with label remnants, no one at Vessel is going to judge you. In fact, I’ll probably give you a high five for your commitment. The whole point of reusing is reclaiming what you already have – not trying to make it look brand new. Being scrappy is sexy!

You don’t need perfection to live a sustainable lifestyle. You just need to try to use what you have. That's waaaaay cooler in my book than buying the latest set of food storage containers that's trending. 

Bonus Tip: Dealing with Lingering Food Odors

Ever opened a clean-looking jar only to get blasted by the ghost of pasta sauce past? Same. Some strong-smelling foods (I’m looking at you, basil-garlic marinara) can leave their aromatic legacy behind, even after washing.

Here’s a little sun-powered magic: leave your clean jar and lid outside in direct sunlight for a couple of hours. The UV rays work like natural bleach and deodorizer, zapping away funky odors without harsh chemicals. Just don’t leave plastic lids out too long in extreme heat as they can warp.

Why Bother with All This?

Because reusing jars reduces waste, saves money, and keeps perfectly functional containers out of the landfill. Americans toss about 3.5 million tons of glass every year, and while glass is technically recyclable, a lot of it still ends up in the trash due to contamination or local recycling limitations.

By cleaning and refilling jars you already have, you’re saving resources and modeling a slower, more intentional lifestyle. It’s the kind of change that builds up over time—one refilled jar of dish soap at a time.

A Quick Word on Refill-Store Etiquette

If you're planning to bring your jars into Vessel for a refill, here’s what I recommend:

• Please clean them first – even if that means they still have a bit of label gunk.
  
• If the jar smells funky, try the sunlight trick before bringing it in. We want to make sure you love your soaps and refills, scent and all!
  
• Be sure that they have a lid! Even if you don’t mind transporting something without a lid, it can still be a spill-risk in store, and we want to avoid clean ups and wasting product. :) This is also why we always ask you to take the tare and total weight of your vessel with the lid on! 

And remember, if you’re not sure what container works best for a specific product, just ask. I’m happy to help you choose the right jar for your bulk shampoo, face cream, laundry soap, or whatever else you’re restocking.

TL;DR – Your Jar Is Enough. Label or No Label.

I'm not judging you for not having Pinterest-perfect pantries. I'm here for real, imperfect, low-waste living that makes a difference. Whether your jar is pristine or still rockin’ a half-torn label, what matters most is that you brought it in and you’re making the effort.

At Vessel, we’ll always celebrate your sustainability wins, messy labels and all. But I don’t blame you for wanting to remove the label either. A half torn label is a sensory nightmare, I get it. If that label's gotta go, I support that journey. If you can handle a torn, papery label, more power to ya. 

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