How to Remove Printed Labels From Plastic – Easy Solutions

So, you have found a nice plastic bottle. But the label is too stubborn to come off? There are some easy solutions – how to remove printed labels from plastics.

Nowadays most printed labels are waterproof and you cannot easily take them out of a plastic bottle. Still, some of the labels are made with usual papers and easily come off. 

So, if you want to get rid of the annoying printed labels then you can follow different methods for different types of labels. I have tried to allocate some of the easy solutions as per the materials used on the labels and if you use the exact method for the exact types of label and glue, then it will easily come off!

And you will get a nice shining plastic bottle without any problem.

Types of papers used for bottle labels:

Following is the type of printed labels for plastic bottles that are often used:

1. Paper
2. Paper with lamination
3. Vinyl
4. Polyester
5. Polypropylene

When it comes to paper, they are vulnerable to water. But the same does not go for Vinyl, Polyester, and Polypropylene labels. 

Still, they do have one common material to be used in plastic bottles – glue. 

Types of adhesives used for bottle labels:

Here are some special adhesives that are often used for bottle labeling or any other types of plastic labeling:

1. Temperature-specific adhesives – You can use high temperature to remove them
2. Removable adhesives – They can be easily removed, even without damaging the label
3. Permanent adhesives – These adhesives are tough to remove and you cannot remove them without damaging the label

So, if you have got an idea about the label and glue types then you can easily choose from the following procedures which one is best for you:

1. Water

Removing the labels from plastic with water is as easy as it sounds. And it is certainly the best way among all the ways how to remove printed labels from plastic. 

You need to submerge the plastic item in a tub full of water. You can also use a bucket.

If the labels are made out of paper, whatever the adhesive type is, you can use this method. As plastic is totally waterproof, it will not harm the material of the bottle or the accessories. 

But depending on the glue type, you may need from half an hour to a whole night to make the labels easy to remove. 

For glue like permanent adhesives, try to dilute the water a little bit with soap or detergent powder. It will certainly do the trick.

You can even remove printed labels from the glass jars with this method. This may be the oldest trick to remove printed labels from a surface.

Glass or plastic – whatever the surface is, use soap-soaked sponge to remove the last bits of adhesive from that surface.

2. Alcohol based solutions

But for waterproof labels, it is tough to use. It will also take a lot of time to do it. If you want to save time and get an advantage on the waterproof printed labels, then the next trick to How to Remove Printed Labels from Plastic – is to use alcohol-based solutions.

Alcohol is glue thinner and paint thinner. As strong the alcohol is – as easily the label comes off.

Not only on printed labels, but you can also use it to remove stains from your mobile phones and permanent marker marks from the whiteboard.

Remove printed labels from plastic with ease with alcohol:

For this, you will need some ingredients:

1. Alcohol-based solution: Paint thinner/industrial spirit/surgical spirit/nail polish remover/rubbing alcohol/vodka
2. Cotton buds
3. Soaked sponge

Now, put the alcohol-based solution with the cotton buds in every corner of the label everywhere. Let it stay like this for a little bit. It can be 15-30 minutes depending on the strength of the alcohol-based solution. If it is rubbing alcohol, it will take longer than paint thinner or nail polish remover.

If you are thinking about what should be done next, then it is easy. The label will automatically come off!

Yes, because the alcohol makes the adhesive diluted in itself and makes it lighter and thinner. As a result, it lets the label go and you can peel it off without any problem.

But there may be adhesive residue. That is why you need to use the soaked sponge to remove the rest.

This is one of the most effective ways among how to remove printed labels from plastic without any problem. 

Whether the adhesive is hard or the label is waterproof, you can easily use this method to remove it.

3. Vinegar

Vinegar is one of the most essential kitchen products we all have in our homes. It is often used for cooking. Still, it has some other applications.

You can use vinegar, especially white vinegar to clean up your kitchen, and even purify the house. 

And yes, it can certainly be used for removing printed labels from plastic or glass products. And it will certainly not harm the main product.

Vinegar is distilled through many processes. As a result, although it is not alcohol, it can remove the label effectively with its acidity.

For this, You need – 

1. Gloves
2. Heated vinegar
3. Big container you can put a lid on
4. Soaked sponge 

First, heat the vinegar and fill the container. 

Second, put the product in the container and put the lead on. Keep it like this for thirty minutes.

Third, remove the lid and bring out the product. At this point, the label should already have been removed. 

Now, remove the extra adhesive with a soaked sponge.

Always use gloves to keep yourself safe. 

4. Heater

You can certainly use some kind of heating equipment to melt the glue and remove the label. But as each type of plastic has its own specific melting temperature, you must use such equipment which will not melt the plastic, just the adhesive. 

For this, the safest choice is to use a hair dryer. 

Put the label under heat for 15 minutes. If the label is not easy to let go then keep it cool for 1-2 minutes and put it under the dryer again for 15 minutes.

Try this till the adhesive is totally melted.

At this point, remove the label and clean the remaining adhesive with a soaked sponge.

But be extra careful if the plastic quality is low.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you get a printed label off plastic?

You can remove a printed label off plastic in four ways – 

1. Water
2. Alcohol based solutions
3. Vinegar
4. Heater

Depending on the label and adhesive type, you can use any of these methods to easily remove the labels.

      2.    How do you get printed labels off?

You can use water, nail polish remover or acetone, rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, and a hairdryer to remove the printed labels of the plastic products. All of them are easy solutions – how to remove printed labels from plastic.

      3.    Can you clean plastic with isopropyl alcohol?

You can use isopropyl alcohol to clean plastic but it may harm the surface if the alcohol is too high and has too much power. You can use it by diluting it with water. This is a good option.

Conclusion

This is very important to keep in mind that not all the ways will give you similar results when it comes to easy solutions – how to remove printed labels from plastic. You have to find the best option for the specific type of label and surface. Then it will become easy for you.

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