Just invented a easy way to remove labels...
I'm using this technique right now and it works great! It takes about 5 to 20 seconds to remove each label, really thin paper labels take a little longer to get them off without tearing... 30 to 45 seconds.
I figured that glue becomes more pliable at warmer temperatures, but paper labels become less durable when wet. The Answer came instantaneously, fill the bottles with warm water instead of soaking them in warm water to remove the labels.
You will still need something to remove the adhesive left behind.
Ok, I've now done 72 bottles using this method, of which 4 bottles had labels that refused to peal off from heat alone... 1 from Germany with an ultra thin paper label, 1 that was a custom label from the winery for a wedding, and two low quality paper labels, from the same winery that did the Wedding label, all three labels were probably done on site using a different type of label... cheap paper "permanent" avery labels come to mind. Except for the one German Wine - All the commercial wine labels came off extremely easily.
For removing the adhesive...
Addendum to removing adhesive - The first 2 dozen bottles wiped right off, after I changed to a 2nd bottle type - that used different glue, the adhesive became much harder to scrub off, despite keeping the temperature of the soaking bucket higher than 140 (f) and several additions of saniclean, you might want to use an adhesive solvent instead.
Cheers,
Wrathwilde
- Heat a large pot of water to 160 (f)
- Use a funnel to fill the bottles 3/4 full of water (Do not get the labels Wet, this is why you need a funnel)
- Let the bottles sit for 5 minutes, this allows the bottles (and label adhesives) to come up to temperature.
- You may now peel the labels off rather easily.
I'm using this technique right now and it works great! It takes about 5 to 20 seconds to remove each label, really thin paper labels take a little longer to get them off without tearing... 30 to 45 seconds.
I figured that glue becomes more pliable at warmer temperatures, but paper labels become less durable when wet. The Answer came instantaneously, fill the bottles with warm water instead of soaking them in warm water to remove the labels.
You will still need something to remove the adhesive left behind.
Ok, I've now done 72 bottles using this method, of which 4 bottles had labels that refused to peal off from heat alone... 1 from Germany with an ultra thin paper label, 1 that was a custom label from the winery for a wedding, and two low quality paper labels, from the same winery that did the Wedding label, all three labels were probably done on site using a different type of label... cheap paper "permanent" avery labels come to mind. Except for the one German Wine - All the commercial wine labels came off extremely easily.
For removing the adhesive...
- 3oz of Saniclean per 2 gallons of hot water. Use a bucket tall enough that all the adhesive on the bottles will get soaked.
- Fill bottles with warm to hot water (to provide enough weight that the bottles sink)
- Place bottles in bucket to soak 1-2 minutes.
- Use a sponge soaked in the Saniclean solution from the bucket, the glue will wipe right off with almost no effort!!!
Addendum to removing adhesive - The first 2 dozen bottles wiped right off, after I changed to a 2nd bottle type - that used different glue, the adhesive became much harder to scrub off, despite keeping the temperature of the soaking bucket higher than 140 (f) and several additions of saniclean, you might want to use an adhesive solvent instead.
Cheers,
Wrathwilde
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