Bottling supplies

Posted by Rachel Rose on March 4, 2011 at 2:34am

I have been scrounging around for old preserving jars and it's still pretty easy to find old Agee jars. They are seldom with domes or screwbands though, but you can still buy them -- the Perfit brand ones fit Agee jars, and most supermarkets stock them. The Perfit website lists stockists. A friend suggested I make sure to only have one type of the Agee jars; the old (thicker) jars need a gold screwband, the newer ones the green one. I've ended up with both though but it is easy to tell them apart. But I have not ended up using them! Not since I realised how much fruit each of those jars takes -- way too much for a single person household to use -- and that you can re-use any glass jar with a metal lid for preserving. I have found local op shops, especially the hospice shops, to be a good source of both regular jars and the Agee ones. Granted it doesn't look as pretty as a rack or cupboard lined with Agee jars, but it's more practical.

 

But I seem to be always at the sink scrubbing jars. Does anyone have some tips for getting the labels off? I resort to soaking the stubborn ones in hot, soapy water overnight, but some still require lots of scrubbing to get the labels off. And invariably I'm left with the glue still adhering to the glass. I've tried getting that off with meths, but didn't find that to work. Any advice?

 

 

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Replies

  • Brenda Gilbert March 4, 2011 at 9:02am

    Hi Rachel,

    I find the easiest way to get labels off jars is by firstly soaking the jars in hot soapy water for about an hour to soften the labels, and then I get to work with a goldilocks pot scourer. 

    I have an old goldilocks which I use just for this purpose only as it does get bits of paper stuck in it.  Scrubbing with the goldilocks seems to remove all the paper and the glue, and for any persistent sticky glue, just add a bit more washing liquid directly on the jar, and scrub some more.  Doesn't take too much effort and I find it to be very effective....nice clean shiny glass jars for my jams, preserves and pickles....just like a bought one!  I hope it works for you too.  Brenda

  • Ngaire Wallace March 4, 2011 at 7:15am

    Hi Rachel

    I agree the labels are a pain to get off the jars.  I soak the jars in a bucket overnight with hot water.  I then use a small handled paring knife to scrape as much of the label off as possible.  Then use a little elbow grease, a goldilocks scrubber and jiff on the jar.  With a bit of elbow grease they seem to come up quite well.

  • Liane Gallagher March 4, 2011 at 6:10am
    There is magic oil called 'desolvit' - smells like oranges - that you can get from hardware places like Bunnings.  You spray it on - leave it a couple of minutes, and the sticky label comes off.  Sometimes it needs two applications - but it is great!!  I had the same problem until I discovered this stuff.  Give it a try.
  • Hester March 4, 2011 at 5:29am
    I go with the eucalyptus oil and then soapy water/ scourer method. I love jars that have labels that just slide off when immersed in hot soapy water. I wish all manufacturers used those.
    • Rachel Rose > Hester March 4, 2011 at 6:04am

      I know! There's a big difference in the glues used. I've noticed the Homebrand labels seem to be the worst :-(


      Thanks everyone for the suggestions! (I've just received a huge box of jars, all of which need cleaning ... I don't think I'll need any more ... ever!?)

  • Ruth OSullivan March 4, 2011 at 4:51am
    I soak the bottles/jars in hot soapy water to remove as much of the label as possible, then the glue comes off easily with eucalyptus oil, then it needs washing again with hot soapy water to remove the oil.  Eucalyptus oil is THE stuff to use to get stickers off furniture, chewing gum off things, etc,...its a staple in my cupboard!!
    • moggy > Ruth OSullivan March 4, 2011 at 5:21am
      i wonder if any oil at all would work, I suggested three types, you another type. I haven't tried it but would say salad oil have the same effect?
  • moggy March 4, 2011 at 4:26am
    to get labels off without much scrubbing, first take the top layer of the paper lable off, this usually comes off fairly easily, then apply CRC, WD40 or diesel, this will disolve the glue if you leave it for a couple of minutes, then wash again with soapy water to get rid of it. I have used this method for years.
  • Jools March 4, 2011 at 2:53am
    Yes use steel wool soap pads to get the glue off (what the hell is in that glue anyway!)
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