Last week I had some friends over for dinner. I had a ton of extra fruit that I wanted to send home with them. My disposable container supply was looking pretty bleak after my latest freezer meal escapade. So I started looking around my kitchen. I knew there must be something there I could use. Luckily, I found one last container in the back of my pantry.
But it didn’t stop me from thinking about my problem. I discovered how to remove ink labels from plastic containers and reuse them as storage containers. I didn’t even know it was possible and it is so easy to do! Now not only am I reusing my old yogurt containers for leftovers but I am also using my face cream containers to house my homemade lemon exfoliator! Here’s how you do it!
How to Remove Ink Labels from Plastic Containers.
Items you will need :
100% Acetone (Nail Polish Remover)
Cloth
One way to remove ink labels from plastic containers is to pour the acetone onto your cloth. Hold it there for about 10 seconds or until the ink starts to disappear and begin wiping off the ink. Keep wiping in the same direction all the way down so it removes the ink without smearing it on the container. If you have just had a manicure make sure you are wearing gloves because it will take your nail polish off just as fast as the ink on the container!
For more of the stubborn colored prints on the containers you will need to soak the cloth with the acetone. Wrap them around the container and set it in the sink for a couple minutes. Then unwrap the container and wipe the ink off. It should come off easily. If not, let it sit for a couple more minutes and try wiping it off again.
After you are done removing the ink from the container, wash it with hot, soapy water. This step is very important if you will be storing food in it. After it is dry store it until you find a new use for that old container!
Karen Sawyer says
March 27, 2019 at 12:23 pmI have a white Palmolive dish detergent plastic bottle and I’ve tried what you suggested and it doesn’t touch it! Any suggestions?
Alicia Lenard says
August 15, 2018 at 7:43 pmIn your picture you didn’t remove the lid print. You stated that You were just trying to show how it works. No! It’s because you know it’s harder to get the print off of the lids. Any suggestions on how to get it off more easily? The lids are horrible at removing the print.
Mary Jane C. Borowski says
March 10, 2018 at 5:49 pmI can’t get the printing (labels) off the Breyer’s. Gelato containers. Any ideas?
Bruce Butkis says
May 20, 2018 at 1:26 pmtry goo gone or go to your hardware store and see if they have any kind of other product made for removing adhesive from plastic the idea being that if it removes adhesive from plastic its safe and won’t damage the plastic and if it removes adhesive it should also work to remove the ink . goo gone will work but it can sometimes mar plastic you can also try a non scratching scrubby pad and a little elbow grease and hot soapy water or a touch of rubbing alcohol dow scrubbing bubbles I know works to get graffiti off of cars and non ports walls so that may work as well
Douglas coates says
January 14, 2018 at 11:05 amI have a medium /to small bag with a zip on top it is,I think made of cloth on the inside and a kind of plastic on out side ,
On the front and back is a screen printed logo ,used to be first aid bag ,can I remove the printing on the bag ,if so how.
PJ says
October 15, 2014 at 12:22 pmDoes this ruin the cloth? Can the cloth be washed normally? (And dried? I think some chemicals are not supposed to go in a regular clothes dryer.)
Happy.MoneySaver says
October 15, 2014 at 12:46 pmI use old cloths that are on their last leg for these type of projects in case it stains. 🙂
Marla says
July 18, 2014 at 10:39 pmI have been operating under the understanding that that type of plastic should not be reused. Am i wrong?
Nikolai says
February 10, 2016 at 10:16 amIt all depends on the recycling code on the container. If the number inside the symbol is 5 it’s safe. If it’s 7 it could potentially release BPA into the food stored in it.
shannan slifka says
July 1, 2014 at 12:23 pmawesome, I was saving Folg-s coffee bins and wanted to use them for planters and now I can without the labels. Thanks 🙂
Tiffany Meyer says
July 1, 2014 at 10:53 amDoes this work for the lids too? Just curious since your picture shows the lid still inked. Love this!!
Happy.MoneySaver says
July 1, 2014 at 10:56 amYes it works for lids too. I wanted to show what it was before so I left the lid still inked. It comes off like a charm!