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!
I use vinegar on mine. Have you ever tried to removed the labels on the blue Maxwell House? They look like they are painted on but if you look close, they are a label…like heat transferred? I am working on organizing the garage and the whole town has brought me containers….i painted all the tin can coffee containers but I don’t want to paint the plastic ones for the garage….thinking of the acetone idea if the vinegar doesn’t work. Just curious if you have tried to remove them.
I haven’t tried those, but I wonder if rubbing alcohol would work?
Been wishing I could do this for ages, it will enhance my charity stall make over no end.
I have a white Palmolive dish detergent plastic bottle and I’ve tried what you suggested and it doesn’t touch it! Any suggestions?
In 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.
I can’t get the printing (labels) off the Breyer’s. Gelato containers. Any ideas?
I 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.
Does 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.)
I use old cloths that are on their last leg for these type of projects in case it stains. 🙂
I have been operating under the understanding that that type of plastic should not be reused. Am i wrong?
It 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.
awesome, I was saving Folg-s coffee bins and wanted to use them for planters and now I can without the labels. Thanks 🙂
Does this work for the lids too? Just curious since your picture shows the lid still inked. Love this!!
Yes 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!