From pasta sauces to jams to pickles and beyond, it seems like there’s a never-ending supply of glass bottles in the pantry and fridge. Although my family recycles, it often feels wasteful to dispose of perfectly good containers when they’re empty. Thankfully, there are numerous creative ways to repurpose old glass jars at home. The main challenge is removing the glue residue and labels, which tend to shred and stick when peeled off. Many online tips suggest using heat, such as pouring boiling water into the jar or using a hair dryer over the sticker. I wanted to try something different, and one website suggested an alternative – use cold instead of heat.
Two methods were recommended online: placing a jar in the freezer for a few hours with the lid off, or soaking it in ice water to remove the glue and label. These methods seemed straightforward and didn’t involve the risk of burning my fingers. I decided to try them both. If successful, I could create a DIY flower vase or a kitchen storage container. Discover the results of my sticker and glue-removal experiment.
Preparing to freeze my jars
To start, I selected two glass containers from my recycling bin — a pickle jar and a smaller plum sauce bottle. I wanted to test both label and glue-removal methods and liked the idea of having two different-sized vessels for future projects. It seemed almost too easy to clean labels off glass jars using only water, but I began with the ice bath preparation. I found a glass bread pan that perfectly fit the sauce bottle and gathered two cups of ice from my ice machine.
Next, I prepared for the freezer experiment. I cleared a space for the pickle jar on the top shelf of my standing deep freeze. I have a standard fridge-freezer combo in my kitchen, but I wanted to prevent one of my kids from accidentally knocking over the jar while retrieving a frozen treat. Using the basement deep freeze felt safer. With the preparations complete, it was time to begin.
The de-labelling and glue removal process
The beauty of this experiment lies in the simplicity of the steps. The freezer method was straightforward. I removed the lid, placed the pickle jar inside, and closed the door. Meanwhile, I worked on the ice bath. This involved pouring two cups of ice into the glass bread pan, setting the plum sauce bottle inside, and adding water around it. Once mostly submerged, I placed it in the fridge and waited for the magic to happen.
I left both jars in the cold overnight and eagerly checked on them in the morning. To my surprise and delight, the ice bath bottle posed no issues. The label and most of the glue came off in one peel, and any remaining glue scraped away easily. The pickle jar was a different story. I attempted to remove the paper and glue while the glass was still frosted, to no avail. Bits and pieces peeled off, but nothing substantial, and the adhesive stayed clumped to the glass. I let it warm slightly, hoping the condensation would help, but I faced the same issue. If you’re seeking a clever hack to remove stickers from your glass decor items, the only ice method I’d use again is the water, though I have some thoughts to share on that.
Should you give these glue removal tricks a try?
In the battle of ice vs. sticker glue, ice was tied against the labels 1-to-1. The freezer method was a complete failure and not something I’d attempt again. Not only does it take up space and risk a glass jar falling onto the floor, but it simply doesn’t work. As for the ice bath, I have my reservations. My overall thought is: Was it the ice or the water that did the work? Considering all those hot water sticker removal tricks on social media, I’m not convinced. Could lukewarm water have achieved the same result?
Between these two methods, I would consider trying the ice bath again, perhaps without the cold to test my theory. Whether it worked due to the low temperatures or the moisture, it was effective. So, if you’re looking for ways to eliminate those pesky labels and residual glue from glass containers, give it a try. I’m off to transform a glass jar into an artsy decorative vase… and recycle my unfortunate pickle jar.
