You can remove glue from plastic bottles with several home solutions, including acetone, rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, oil, and baking soda mix, or one unknown solution that doesn’t usually get mentioned yet is one of the most effective.
Removing glue from plastic bottles has two stages:
- Stage one: removing the label
- Stage two: removing any glue residue
For stage one, you will need:
- A clean rag
- Clean, warm water
- Liquid dish soap
For stage two, you will need:
- A clean rag
- A solution, such as rubbing alcohol, acetone (or acetone-based nail polish remover), white vinegar, oil, and baking soda
- Protective gloves
- Sponge (optional)
- Clean, warm water
- Liquid dish soap
When working with any adhesive removing solution, whether a commercial product or a home solution, you should prioritize protecting your skin by wearing protective gloves.
Commercial solutions and acetone, for example, can get your skin dry. Using gloves will prevent this. If you don’t have gloves or choose to work without them, clean your hands well once you are done with warm water and soap.
Also, apply moisturizing cream to keep your skin from drying and cracking.
Keep reading to discover how to effectively and easily remove glue from plastic bottles without scraping and scratching.
These methods will also help you remove glue from glass containers and bottles.
How To Remove The Label Or Sticker From Plastic Bottles
Stage one of the process is very simple.
Once you have a clean rag and warm soapy water ready, follow these steps:
- Dab the rag in warm soapy water
- Cover the label or sticker with this rag
- Apply some pressure and let it sit on it for about 10-15 minutes or until the label or sticker has softened.
- Use the rag to wipe off the softened label/ sticker
Once you have removed most of the label and sticker from the plastic bottle, you will see a patch of glue residue left on it.
The next stage will show you the steps to remove the adhesive from plastic bottles effectively.
Remove Glue Residue From Plastic Bottles
With the right solution, removing glue residue from plastic bottles can be done effectively and easily.
Prepare a solution you have at home:
- Acetone (or acetone-based nail polish remover)
- Rubbing alcohol
- White vinegar
If you are working with acetone especially, use protective gloves as they can cause the skin to dry out and even crack from more severe dryness.
Make sure you also have the following items:
- Clean rags or cotton balls (depending on the size of the glue)
- Warm water
- Liquid dish soap
Follow these steps to remove glue residue from your plastic bottle:
- Dab a cotton ball or a rag in acetone, rubbing alcohol, or white vinegar
- Place it over the glue, covering it fully
- Apply gentle pressure to it and let it soak
- You may need to soak the glue surface for at least 15-30 minutes – you may need to re-soak and re-apply with the solution a few times (especially because rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly)
- Soak the area until the glue softens and dissolves
- Use a clean rag with a rougher surface to rub off the glue
- Once all residue is removed, clean the surface with warm soapy water
Some sources recommend using a sponge with a higher level of abrasion on it to scrape off the glue residue.
We don’t recommend this (which is why we made it optional) because a sponge with a rough abrasion surface can scratch the bottle’s surface and leave those marks behind.
White vinegar is the gentlest approach, rubbing alcohol is a medium-strength approach, and acetone is the strongest approach to remove glue from plastic bottles.
You may start with the gentleness approach and move your way up as needed.
When working with stronger solutions, such as acetone or a commercial product, ventilate the room well if you are working inside.
Open up windows to improve airflow. You can also use a fan to help with this.
Remove Glue From Plastic Bottles With Oil And Baking Soda Solution
If you prefer to stay clear of acetone or rubbing alcohol, or if you don’t have them at hand, another effective solution for removing glue from plastic bottles is a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda.
You will need:
- 1 part oil
- 1 part baking soda
- Mixing bowl
- Cotton swabs
- Clean rag
You can use any oil, but coconut oil is one of the best for dissolving hardened and stubborn glue.
Follow these steps:
- Mix the baking soda and oil in a mixing bowl
- Use a cotton swab, cotton ball, or clean rag to spread the mixture over the glue area, covering it fully
- Let it sit on it and soak for a minimum of 30-45 minutes
- The stronger and more stubborn the glue stain, the longer you should leave this mixture on for it to have enough time to soften and dissolve the glue
- Use a clean rag to rub off the glue.
- If there is still glue residue that won’t come off, re-apply the mixture and let it soak for another 30-45 minutes (or more)
- Use a clean rag to scrub off the residue
- Repeat these steps until all residue is removed
- Use a clean rag, warm water, and liquid dish soap to clean the area
This method will also work to remove super glue from a quartz countertop.
One Unknown Yet Highly Effective Method To Remove Glue From Plastic Bottles And Containers
So let’s find out which is this unknown (perhaps even crazily unconventional) product that isn’t talked about yet.
It is one of the most effective solutions for removing glue from plastic bottles, containers, glass, and others.
Yep. We said it. You may have difficulty believing this product is a hand sanitizer. Plus, this is a proven method, not just a mere theory.
This is how to remove glue from plastic bottles (and containers, even the glass ones) with hand sanitizer:
- Pour a layer of hand sanitizer over the label, sticker, or glue residue
- Spread it out, so it covers it fully
- Leave it to soak for a few minutes (about five should be enough)
- Use a clean rag to scrub off the label, sticker, or glue residue
- Clean the surface with clean, warm, and soapy water at the end
Repeat the steps if the glue hasn’t come off in one go. But so far, we didn’t need to give this solution a repeat.
Generally, using hand sanitizer will help you peel off the label or sticker and remove all glue residue.
So with this solution, you get it all done in one stage.
Using hand sanitizers to remove glue from plastic bottles means you don’t need to pre-soak, scrub, or try multiple other products.
Check out my guide on the best glues for plastic for more tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to remove glue from plastic containers?
Our most recommended solution is hand sanitizer. But acetone, rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, oil, and baking soda solutions are also very effective.
How to remove glue from plastic containers and bottles without scrubbing and scratching?
Again, hand sanitizer is our favorite method to skip soaking and scrubbing and prevent scratching on our surfaces.
Which commercial product can help remove glue from plastic bottles?
If you are curious about looking up some commercial products that are effective in removing glue from plastic bottles and even other surfaces, some of the most popular ones are:
- Goo Gone
- WD-40
Both of these are highly effective solutions for removing glue and adhesive residues.
They should have instructions on how to use them. But generally, you would need to apply it directly onto the glue.
You will need to wait until the product sets; then, you can wipe the glue away with a clean damp cloth.
Conclusion
No need to despair if you have stubborn labels, stickers, and glue on your plastic bottles. There is more than one solution that can help you remove glue from your plastic bottles effectively, using one of the following solutions:
- Acetone
- Rubbing alcohol
- White vinegar
- Oil and baking soda mixture
And our favorite yet unknown to many, hand sanitizer.
Commercial products such as Goo Gone and WD-40 are also highly effective in achieving this result.
Use protective gloves when working with commercial products or rougher items like acetone. It is best to work in a well-ventilated room where airflow is improved, so you don’t inhale much of these products.
