Subscribe for updates

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

  • Home
  • COOKBOOK
  • Blog
  • ABOUT
↑
  • Home
  • Farm Life
    • Chickens
    • Gardening
    • Survival
  • Money Savin’
    • Best Deals On
    • Thrifty Tips
  • Recipes
    • Freezer Meals
    • From Scratch
    • Frugal Recipes
  • Oils
  • ABOUT
  • Contact
  • WORK WITH ME

Happy Money Saver

A thrifty blog with freezer meals and DIY recipes.

  • Recipes
    • Cookbook
    • Freezer Meals
    • Vintage
    • Family Favorites
  • Money Savin’
    • Gift Ideas
    • Best Deals On…
    • Thrifty Tips
    • Happy Thoughts
    • Black Friday
  • Farm Life
    • Chickens
    • Gardening
    • Survival
  • DIY
    • Around My Home
    • Health & Oils
    • Cleaning Recipes
    • Beauty Recipes
    • Get Some Essential Oils

Home » Money Savin' » Thrifty Tips » Thrifty Tip: Remove Ink Labels from Plastic Containers

Thrifty Tip: Remove Ink Labels from Plastic Containers

This post may contain affiliate links. See the disclosure policy for more information.
4.2K shares
  • FACEBOOK
  • YUMMLY
  • EMAIL THIS!

Don't throw your plastic containers away!  Here is an easy and fast way to remove ink labels from plastic containers!

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.

Remove ink from containers with just two itemsItems you will need :
100% Acetone (Nail Polish Remover)
Cloth

This is such an easy way to remove ink from your old containers and be able to reuse them again!

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!

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 around.  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.

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 around.  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!

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!

Pssssst...

Make sure to follow along with @HappyMoneySaver on Instagram, connect with me on Facebook and pin along with me on Pinterest!.

Want all the latest straight to your inbox? get the Happy Money Saver Newsletter straight to your inbox!

June 27, 2014
Money Savin', Thrifty Tips

Comments

  1. Laura says

    March 14, 2022

    Cleaning crème for smooth stove tops works great

    Reply
    • Laura says

      March 14, 2022

      Apply with a dish scrubby and work in circular motions.

      Reply
  2. Elaine Cluett says

    May 11, 2021

    Nope acetone well not remove ink labels from plastic buckets, nail polish pure acetone and a few more solvents nothing works

    Reply
    • Sally says

      November 25, 2022

      Right …. !!!!

      Reply
  3. Elaine Cluett says

    May 10, 2021

    I tried it with nail polish remover as well as acetone but nothing worked I want to use some plastic buckets for a project but I have to get the print off of them, can you tell me why neither well work .

    Reply
  4. trish says

    July 28, 2020

    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.

    Reply
    • Karrie says

      July 29, 2020

      I haven’t tried those, but I wonder if rubbing alcohol would work?

      Reply
  5. Josephine Wellins says

    January 27, 2020

    Been wishing I could do this for ages, it will enhance my charity stall make over no end.

    Reply
  6. Karen Sawyer says

    March 27, 2019

    I have a white Palmolive dish detergent plastic bottle and I’ve tried what you suggested and it doesn’t touch it! Any suggestions?

    Reply
  7. Alicia Lenard says

    August 15, 2018

    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.

    Reply
    • Gus says

      March 23, 2021

      On thd lid pour acetone to cover it completely then cover in plastic wrap for 30-60min. If should break down and dissolve it

      Reply
  8. Mary Jane C. Borowski says

    March 10, 2018

    I can’t get the printing (labels) off the Breyer’s. Gelato containers. Any ideas?

    Reply
    • Tracey says

      April 14, 2021

      They may be a label. I know the Talenti ones are.

      Reply
  9. Douglas coates says

    January 14, 2018

    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.

    Reply
  10. PJ says

    October 15, 2014

    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.)

    Reply
    • Happy.MoneySaver says

      October 15, 2014

      I use old cloths that are on their last leg for these type of projects in case it stains. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Marla says

    July 18, 2014

    I have been operating under the understanding that that type of plastic should not be reused. Am i wrong?

    Reply
    • Nikolai says

      February 10, 2016

      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.

      Reply
  12. shannan slifka says

    July 1, 2014

    awesome, I was saving Folg-s coffee bins and wanted to use them for planters and now I can without the labels. Thanks 🙂

    Reply
  13. Tiffany Meyer says

    July 1, 2014

    Does this work for the lids too? Just curious since your picture shows the lid still inked. Love this!!

    Reply
    • Happy.MoneySaver says

      July 1, 2014

      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!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Karrie

Hello & Welcome!

I'm Karrie. Come join me on my money savin' adventures but beware: you may find yourself wanting backyard chickens, making freezer meals and dancing along with me to 80's music.
About KarrieInstagramFacebook

Popular Recipes

Best EVER Homemade Carpet Cleaner Solution

15 Actually Easy Freezer Meals (Seriously!)

toilet with pou pourri spray

What’s that smell? – DIY Poo Fragrance Spray for the Bathroom

The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

The Thrifty Lazy Way to Clean your Glass Stovetop

Making 50 Freezer Meals in one Day

It’s Soup Season!

48 Healthy Freezer Meals

Creamy Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

crockpot freezer meals

20 Delicious Crockpot Freezer Meals

10 Fantastic Freezer Soups

Simple Chili With Smoked Sausage

Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe

search

by Topic

archives

About  |  Contact  |  Privacy Policy
Copyright ©2023, Happy Money Saver. All Rights Reserved.
Design by Pixel Me Designs