Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Eating and Drinking => Cooking, Storing and Preserving => Topic started by: fishydicky on August 24, 2008, 12:44

Title: reusing jamjars
Post by: fishydicky on August 24, 2008, 12:44
hi everyone. I'm new around here. do any of you know a way of getting the sticky glue off jars before re using them? why can't manufacturers use glue that washes off anyway?
Title: reusing jamjars
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 24, 2008, 12:59
Hi there, and welcome!!!!   Once I've soaked the jamjars and taken off as much as I can of the label and sticky stuff, I sometimes just scrape the rest off or use nail varnish remover!!!!
Title: reusing jamjars
Post by: Skip on August 24, 2008, 13:05
Both tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil will take off that sticky glue.  If they are hard to get, good health food stores should carry it.

Also, I am never without Zoff as it takes everything off!  As far as I can tell it is an Australian invention but I believe it is available in the UK, although it may be marketed under another name.  The active ingredients are Dipropylene glycol methyl ether, C10-11 Isoparaffin, Aloe extract, Benzyl alcohol and BHA.  Look for it in pharmacies or specialty stores.  Here, I paid $12 for 250mL, so one bottle lasts a lifetime, virtually.
Title: reusing jamjars
Post by: lucywil on August 24, 2008, 14:24
Boots sell zoff in wipe form, like individually wrapped wet wipes, they are kept behind the pharmacy counter though, if the assistant doesn't know what you're talking about just tell her/him they are in the draw marked 'z'.
(not being nasty, i work for them and some staff are a little clueless)
Title: reusing jamjars
Post by: traceyr on August 24, 2008, 14:56
Try a dishwasher!!!  

I know it sounds daft, but every jar that we wash for recycling loses all labels and sticky substances!!

(Try to get as much paper of first as possible so it doesn't transfer onto other pots!)
Title: reusing jamjars
Post by: Novice but totally hooked on August 24, 2008, 17:11
Lakeland Plastics do some stuff called "Sticky Stuff Remover" which, the bottle says 'zaps gum, grease and wax' and can be used 'safely on china, glass, plastic, fabric, paintwork, even skin and hair'  (the latter means chewing gum from children's hair - LOL!)

I've used it - you only need a tiny amount - and found it pretty good.
Title: reusing jamjars
Post by: Ice on August 24, 2008, 17:16
I would have thought that white spirit would do the trick.  Then stick in the dishwasher to remove the smell.
Title: reusing jamjars
Post by: Novice but totally hooked on August 24, 2008, 18:04
NO - don't try white spirit.  It is horrendous from my experience.  It doesn't get rid of the sticky gunk and the smell lingers for ever.
Title: reusing jamjars
Post by: Sharon on August 24, 2008, 18:09
Why not just soak them in the water at the end of washing up like I do.
I have never had a dishwasher or use chemicals for anything.  I have yet to find a label that wont come off with a good soaking and maybe a follow up with a scouring pad.
Title: reusing jamjars
Post by: traceyr on August 24, 2008, 18:20
Another method (pre-dishwasher)......

Fill empty jar with boiling water, leave for a few minutes to loosen the glue then peel VERY cafully!  Mostof the glue should comeof with the label then scrub of any remnants AFTER emptying the jar.
Title: reusing jamjars
Post by: Poolfield2 on August 24, 2008, 23:23
I have also found that the stuff for removing silicone sealant gets rid of it but it honks of artificial orange. I buy the screwfix ownbrand one and use it for loads of jobs but hardly ever for actually removing silicone sealant :roll: