How DO you remove jam jar labels? (From Smallholder)

How DO you remove jam jar labels?

8:40am Monday 16th April 2012 in Editor's Blog

Anthea Dore tells us her method is to “Scratch labels with a knife, soak overnight in water with a scoop of washing powder (bio is best!) Labels should come off with a scrub, (use a wine pot scourer). To get off the stubborn glue, use Brasso metal polish wadding. Wash clean in soapy water. Works for me!”

Mrs Hogg tells us “The resultant smear from taking off the label is easily removed with the brilliant and safe ‘sticky stuff remover’ available from branches of Lakeland and probably many other places too”

Sara Jones agrees “if you google sticky stuff remover you'll get loads of options but the one I think we used came from Betterware and we used to use it in the gift shop to remove the residue from our price labels which were a nightmare to get rid of. It was quite greasy and we used lots of loo roll as well to help wipe up the mess but it worked on the label residue - would imagine it would be the same for jam jar labels. Most of the jars I reuse have labels that come off quite easily - but then I go for supermarket own brands so they obviously don't use strong enough glue on their labels!

Liz Wright, Editor adds “ I have discovered that about certain supermarket brands myself – I usually soak and scrape but still find it smeary so will go for some “sticky stuff remover”. I always put the cleaned jars in the dishwasher as well which I find gets them very clean and sparkly. I sniff them too and never use ones that have a residue of previous contents – some chutneys just don’t go away!

Do you have a question or a solution to a reader's problem? email liz.wright@smallholder.co.uk and look out for more q and a's in our May issue of Smallholder featuring Bunty the ex batt on the cover - out now!