Hi Friends!! Have you ever tried to remove labels off of glass bottles? Perhaps you found the cutest wine bottle in the whole wide world, that would totally make the cutest vase ever, only to be discouraged because you can’t get the dang label off? Sound familiar? Maybe you have been there too. I always have the best intentions in repurposing things, and then tend to give up halfway through when it becomes more of a struggle rather than a thrifty rescue. Well, one day this past summer we had family over for a BBQ, and my brother-in-law brought beer that came in the cutest little brown bottles I had ever seen! As I was taking out the recycles the next day, I saw them in the bin, and thought to myself, these are just too cute to throw away. So I rescued them from my recycle bin, and was determined to repurpose them as vases. The only problem, there was a bright blue label on them. I searched high and low, and researched multiple ways that claimed to be the best at removing labels off of bottles, only to find me still having to scrape off sticky residue in the end.
Until, I stumbled upon this method! It seriously is the easiest way to remove labels from bottles so that you no longer have to struggle, scrape or pick away at those pesky labels. The best part is, you probably already have all the ingredients needed for this super easy DIY! No more scraping again. Here is all you need!
Baking Soda, Dish Soap, Warm water, bottle of choice!
- Fill sink or large bowl with hot water
- Add 1/4 c of baking soda, and 1/4 cup of dawn dish soap to hot water. Stir just enough to ensure the baking soda isn’t clumped together.
- Add emptied bottles and submerge completely.
Soak 20-30 minutes, remove and rinse off. *If any residue is still left, soak bottle a little longer.*
Most of the time I remove the bottles from the warm soapy water, the labels have already fallen completely off. I found that the closer I hit the 30 minute mark, there was for sure nothing left. Sometimes if I took them out closer to the 20 minute mark, I might have to slightly peel off, but usually the label AND glue just slip right off. No more scraping, or getting the goo gone out, it’s magic!
I used these cute little recycled beer bottles in this years Thanksgiving tablescape I shared yesterday.
I love them, because they totally resemble the vintage amber bottles that everyone is decorating with these days, except I didn’t have to go hunt for them, they were in my grocery store, and I got 6 for around $10! Win Win! 
Now I’m kind regretting all those bottles I gave up on when I couldn’t get the labels off! HA, well never again with this fail proof DIY!
Thanks for the tip Bre, it must be the added baking soda. I was going to suggest Goo gone, so funny you mentioned that! That stuff is just so greasy, I don’t much like using it. I’ll definitely try this. Those ARE cute little amber bottles by the way, who knew beer bottles could be so cute! Have a good evening. Shelia
I used to swear by goo gone, but not anymore, lol! And I always hated how greasy it was too 🙂 Now I always look at beer bottles twice, thinking would that make a good vase, lol 🙂
Thanks for the tip, just yesterday I was soaking plates to get labels off and I really had to work to get them off! Will use your tip next time!
You are so welcome!! I swear it’s a miracle worker 😉
This is similar to the post Marci from tidbits gave for cleaning a burnt pan. Hot soapy water and a little baking soda, bring to almost a boil and the burnt stuff literally separates off the pan. Genius!!!
Ohhh good to know!!! I didn’t know that, but will def. use in the future 🙂