How to Remove Unsightly Labels from Plastic Containers

Most of us have become addicted to the convenience provided by recent innovations in plastic storage devices. Whether these be small bags for keeping the kid's sandwiches fresh or larger bags for storing leftovers in the freezer the convenience and flexibility offered by these unique storage devices are highly popular in our family.

Only recently or use of plastic storage units was expanded into include rigid plastic box containers that come in a wide variety of sizes and that can be sealed airtight by placing snug fitting lids on them. These rigid box containers offer the advantage of allowing the user to store more fragile foodstuffs, like leftover cupcakes, slices of birthday cake, etc. without worrying about the icing being crushed or left deposited on the side of a plastic storage bag.

Our family quickly adopted these rigid box containers and now use these exclusively to store virtually any leftover we may have. There is one larger container that is used to collect and store leftover vegetables to be used as future soup ingredients, another contains a previously opened package of sandwich meats, another a wedge of cheese and another one serving size of last night's beef stew.

We soon realized that these handy containers could be used throughout the house to help organize and store a wide variety of related, small items such as sewing threads, buttons, screws, nails, etc.

From the very first day of use the one feature of the rigid box containers that concerned us was the number of large and unsightly paper labels that were glued to the top and side of the boxes. While these were out of sight for boxes stored in the freezer others used to store miscellaneous items around the house were often on counter tops and shelves throughout the house.

We tried everything we of to remove these labels, but regardless of the method employed or the effort given ugly remnants of the labels remaining clinging to the tops and sides of the plastic box. It was if these labels were attached with Super Glue. Nothing seemed to work.

And then, one day quite by accident, we discovered the solution to the label removal problem.

My wife was using a new, larger container (12 inches X 10 inches) to temporarily store soiled silverware after dinner. Her plan was to soak the silverware in hot, soapy water prior to washing the evening's dishes. After adding a small amount of dishwashing liquid to the container she added leftover hot water from a tea kettle on the stove and allowed the dirty silverware to soak. After 15 minutes she removed and washed the silverware and poured the hot water and soap solution out of the container. It was then that she noticed that the once unmovable paper labels on the container were now curling up on all four edges. With a very gentle tug she easily removed the entire label in one piece.

What a breakthrough!

It appears that the very hot water inside the plastic container warms the walls of the container to a temperature sufficient to melt the glue holding the label.

Since that time we have routinely used this technique to remove the labels on all newly purchased plastic boxes. Our procedure is to remove the lid on all new boxes and then to fill the box with water heated in the microwave (or stovetop). We heat the water until it is just before reaching the boiling point and then add water to the box until the water level in the box is slightly higher than the label on the outside of the box. Then wait 15-20 minutes and peal off the label.

This technique works every time.

Try it...you'll like it.