Best way to get labels off wine bottles:

Applying custom wine labels to your own wine is a popular option, many of you will choose to remove the labels from locally purchased wine, and customize them to your liking. Will replace with wine labels as needed. Although it may sound difficult, removing a label from a wine bottle is actually quite easy with a little patience and everyday household items.

A quick web search will reveal a variety of methods for removing wine labels, two of which we can describe as effective.

Craft projects are a great way to reuse wine corks and bottles. You may be storing empty bottles of your favorite wines, but need to remove the adhesive labels before reusing them. We got inspiration from a friend who refused to buy wine with a fancy label, declaring “I like wine, not labels.” To honor our friend, we’re going to do just that. Removing the label from a wine bottle is one of the first steps in starting a DIY wine craft project. Here’s an easy way to do it!

Why remove the label from the wine bottle?

Wine enthusiasts and scrapbookers may want to remove wine labels to store in a wine journal or scrapbook. Private label brewers remove the label for reuse purposes – they remove the commercial label from the bottle before sticking it to their liking. Finally, artisans and crafters often use wine bottles or wine labels for crafts such as wine bottle glassware (affiliate link), wine tile coasters (affiliate link), or framed wine label wall hangings. Or as desk art (affiliate link).

Reasons for getting labels off wine bottles

For enthusiasts and lovers, wine bottles hold unforgettable experiences and memories that they hold dear to their hearts. A bottle of wine can be a symbol of laughter and happiness over shared intimate conversations.

So, it’s no surprise that some people want to get labels from wine bottles to add to their collection or keep them in their scrapbooks, diaries, or journals.

On top of that, winemakers and artisans want to remove labels from wine bottles to add to their art collections. We’ve seen these art projects through framed wine labels, wine bottle glassware, wine bottle lights, desk art, and wine tile coasters. Additionally, private brewers remove labels from wine bottles for recycling or reuse.

Whatever the reason for labeling wine bottles, one thing is certain and steadfast. Wine labels are valid souvenirs. So, let’s go ahead and discover quick and easy ways to get labels off wine bottles.

Factors to Consider Before Removing Wine Bottle Labels

If you want to remove the label from a wine bottle, you must first place the bottle away from any potential damage. Unfortunately, after parties, wine bottles are often thrown in the trash, and getting that label can cause you a lot of trouble.

Second, consider the type of label on your wine bottles. Determining the types of labels before attempting to remove them will help you decide which removal method to use.

What should I consider before removing a wine bottle label?

First, remember to place the bottle you want to remove the label from! Often, a bottle of wine disappears from the table or party before anyone thinks to save the label. Once the bottle is gone, the only option left is to send a self-addressed, stamped envelope (via snail mail) to the winery or restaurant and ask if they have any additional labels for that vintage. Is. Explain that you didn’t keep your bottle and that you want your wine journal label.

Next, determine if you’re able to take the bottle home with you or if you’ll need to remove the label at the event. Not being able to take a bottle of wine home will significantly reduce your options for removing the wine label. Your only options after that are the lift-off method and the “please ask your server or someone if they can remove the label for you” approach!

Once you get the bottle home, you need to figure out the label and the associated adhesive. Determining what you want to keep — the label or the bottle — will dictate how you remove it.

How do I determine how to remove a label from a specific bottle?

What is the label made of? If the label is plastic (more like a sticker) it will be less permeable to water. If it’s plastic, removal often requires heat or physical means (like a razor) whether you’re trying to save the label or just the bottle.

If the label is paper, it is more accessible to liquids and may require a different method of removal depending on whether you are trying to save the label or the bottle.

Labels are affixed to wine and beer bottles using a variety of adhesive polymers. These include pressure-sensitive adhesives (like stickers) and water-based glues. Since many of us are not adhesive experts, we will examine the label using a visual assessment to assess the composition of the glue and select the label removal method with the highest chance of success.

To gauge the texture of the glue, take a razor or knife and lift one corner about ¼ inch. If the adhesive looks like traditional glue, a detergent, and water-based method can be considered. If the adhesive is more sticker-like in consistency, heat or physical means (shaving, peeling) will be your best bet.

Ways to remove wet labels

So, the label you want to remove from a wine bottle is likely to be a more traditional glue composition – these label types are usually more water-soluble.

The OxyClean Method

Based on our personal experience, as well as on most wine and craft beer forums, we have found that the most successful method is the OxiClean approach. We have used the OxiClean method on both paper/glue bottles as well as adhesive plastic labels. If you don’t have Oxclean in your home, try a household cleaning product like Ajax (affiliate link) recommended by Harry in our comments section.

Here’s an effective OxiClean label removal method we found on a craft beer forum:

1. Fill the sink (or bucket) with one gallon of water and ¼ cup of Oxylene.
2. Submerge the wine bottle in the liquid.
3. Wait thirty minutes (you might as well enjoy a glass of wine during this time!) Depending on the adhesive, you may return to find your wine label floating in the sink.
4. Take a utility knife and gently lift it at the edge of the label. If the label isn’t easy to peel off after a thirty-minute soak, it won’t come off using this method without significant elbow grease. You can even resign yourself to drying the bottle and trying the dry method.
5. Run the utility knife under the label at an oblique angle. Resist the urge to use your fingers to help speed the process, as using fingers can cause wrinkles in the finished product.
6. Place the wet label on a piece of waxed paper so the wet adhesive doesn’t stick to your counter.
7. Once your label is dry, use an acid-free glue stick to apply your label to your wine journal, custom coaster, or photo frame. Check out this article to make your own wine label coasters.

Other household cleaners to use to remove wine labels

Ammonia

Not OxiClean? No problem. Household ammonia (affiliate link) is another product, combined with water, that can help dissolve adhesives. Instead of using ¼ cup of OxiClean, replace it with ¼ cup of ammonia. The ammonia method is, in our experience, slightly less effective than the oxyclean method.

Baking Soda

(For full bottles of wine)

An article in Popular Mechanics tested several label removal methods and determined that the following were the most effective. Best of all, this method can be performed on an entire bottle of wine without affecting the quality of the wine.

You will need: a sink or bucket, baking soda, a rag, and a towel (optional: steel wool)

Soak the labeled side of the wine bottle in room temperature water with 5-10 tablespoons of baking soda for 30 minutes.

Remove the bottle from the water, and clean the label with a rag. If any label still remains, use nails or steel wool to remove the remainder.

Once the bottle is clean, wipe it with a towel and allow it to dry completely, and come to room temperature before applying your new label.

Hot water

(For empty wine bottles)

This method is useful when reusing empty wine bottles. We have found this method to be particularly effective for labels purchased from us.

You will need: gloves, hot water from a tap or kettle, and a towel (optional: steel wool)

Wearing gloves, fill the bottle with very hot water. Hot water from the tap can work, but if the tap isn’t hot enough you may need a kettle to heat your water. Warning: If using a kettle to heat your water, first soak the bottle in hot tap water to prevent sudden temperature changes from breaking the glass.

Let the entire bottle sit for 10 minutes and then try to peel off the label with your fingers or steel wool.

Dry label removal method

Label lift method

This method is for those who want to keep the label in a wine journal or attach it to cardstock for a keepsake.

Our favorite label lift is the Onephile Label Lift. We’ve found that this label lifter works well when following the instructions – we’ve yet to come across a label that rips or tears through the process.

To apply label lift, simply place it over the label, rub it with the back of a spoon or other hard object for 1-2 minutes, then peel off the label.

Before labeling the wine journal or book, you can trim the edges.

These label lifts come in packages of 10 or 50. To take advantage of this, we recommend that you take your technique off with a wine or beer label that you don’t want to keep, or practice removing the back label first (which most people don’t collect).

This lift label package also fits neatly inside a notebook or wine journal for easy transport.

One downside is that the wine label now appears laminated. If that’s not the look you’re going for, try the oven method.

Heat (oven) method

So, you don’t like the idea of ​​your wine label looking laminated after you remove it. Perhaps you’d like to make a wine label trivet or mount the wine label to cardstock for framing. Or maybe you’ll finally collect them to make a collage for your wine cellar (lucky you!) Try the summer method! For this, you will need some oven mitts (affiliate link).

First, make sure there is no alcohol inside the bottle. Also, make sure that the foil cap or cover of the wax bottle is removed so that there is no odor when heating the bottle.

Place the wine bottle on a cookie sheet (or in a baking dish so it won’t roll around in a dry oven) at 350 degrees F for 5 minutes. Remove the bottle from the oven and check the label’s readiness for removal by examining the back label. Slide a razor or knife under the label and start peeling slowly from one corner. Do not apply force or push the label with your fingers as this will cause the label to shrink during removal. If not labeled, give it another 5 minutes in the oven. If the label doesn’t come off after 15 minutes, you’ll need to use another method (like the OxiClean method) because the adhesive needs to dissolve to come off cleanly.

The soap method

Liquid soap

This technique on how to remove wine bottle labels is straightforward because it uses readily available materials. However, it is not as effective as the baking soda method.

You should use a container, so there is minimal space for the wine bottle to increase efficiency. If the label is too exposed to soap, it will be quicker to remove.

What will you need?

1. Liquid soap
2. Water
3. Small container or bucket

Instructions

1. Fill your empty wine bottle with water.
2. Pour a small amount of liquid soap into a small container or bucket and fill it with water.
3. Place the wine bottle in the container.
4. Soak for 1-2 days.

Label Lift method

Label lift is a plastic sheet with an adhesive on it. It overlays the existing label and attaches to its surface. This method is ideal if you want to remove wine labels to keep in your collection, journal or scrapbook.

Since label lifters are purchased in packages of 10 or 50 pieces, you can first practice removing beer labels or other wine labels you don’t want to keep.

What will you need?

1. Label lift
2. spoon

Instructions

1. Place the label lifter on the wine label.
2. Rub with the back of a spoon for 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Peel off the label.

Steaming Method

Steaming is another practical way to remove wine bottle labels. But sometimes, you need to increase the steaming time to get better results.

What will you need?

1. pot
2. Water

Instructions

1. Add water to the pot, then bring it to a boil.
2. Place the wine bottle over boiling water for 10-15 minutes. The steam will soften the label and remove the glue.
3. Use your hands to carefully remove the wine label.

Cool and steam

If you don’t want to use boiling water, you can try the cold and steam method. This is less effective than other techniques, so if it doesn’t work for you, try another one instead.

What will you need?

1. Fraser
2. Steamy, humid room
3. the knife

Instructions

1. Place the bottle of wine in the freezer for about 25 minutes.
2. After cooling, place the bottle in a humid room for about half an hour.
3. After the label has sweated, try to carefully peel it off with your hands or a knife.

Hair dryer hair blower Method

If you don’t have an oven or other means of heating the wine label, you can use a hair dryer. You just need to make sure your hair dryer emits hot air because if it’s not too hot, it won’t work.

What will you need?

1. hair dryer
2. Razor

Instructions

1. Run your hair dryer on the wine label for 5 minutes.
2. Try removing the wine label with a razor.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do you get the label off the wine bottle without damaging it?

You can remove labels from wine bottles without damaging them by using the above methods of heating or soaking. However, peel the labels off slowly and carefully to avoid tearing and tearing. A sharp utility knife and razor blade should be available where necessary.

• How do you remove wine labels with vinegar?

Removing wine labels with vinegar only works to remove the persistent adhesive from the wine bottle but does not preserve the label.

After the label is effectively removed, you can rub some vinegar on the bottle to remove any residue, including the adhesive and paper, from the bottle.

Related Read: White Wine Vinegar Uses: Benefits, Cooking, Cleaning

• How do you remove stubborn sticky labels?

Some stubborn sticky labels won’t come off the bottle. Thus, you may need to take a photo of the wine label and add that photo to your collection.

• How to decide which wine label removal method to use for a particular bottle?

To decide how to remove a wine bottle label, you must first identify how it was attached to the bottle. This can be done either by sticker or glue. You can use a razor blade or your fingernail to lift the corner of the label slightly.

If the brand has used glue as the adhesive for the wine label, you can use any of the wet methods. However, if the adhesive is like a sticker, you should use physical means or dry techniques.

• How do you remove a wine label without damaging it?

You can perform all of the methods described above to remove wine labels without damaging them. Remember not to use your finger hastily or use force when removing the label as this can cause wrinkles.

When using dry methods such as baking soda or a hot oven, use a razor or knife carefully after soaking the label.

• How do you preserve wine bottle labels?

To preserve wine bottle labels, carefully open your wine bottle using a corkscrew or electric wine opener to prevent it from spilling onto the label.

After removing the label from the bottle, you can keep it in your wine journal or scrapbook. You also have the option to frame it.

Things to consider when removing wine labels

Whatever method you choose to remove your wine labels, remember that none of them are foolproof. Before rolling up your sleeve, it’s best to take a photo of the label, so at least, you have a digital visual of the label in case things go wrong. When it comes to removing labels, you can try dry or wet methods. Either way, take your time to minimize the risk of label confusion. When deciding which method to use, consider what material the label is made of. If it has more of a plastic/sticker feel, it may be best to physically remove it with a razor blade. If it’s paper, it’s more permeable to liquid, and soaking may be the way to go.

The bottom line

Labeling wine bottles can seem difficult and complicated. But it’s fun to reward after learning the tricks and saving the wine bottle label.

The techniques we provide in this article are not 100% foolproof, but all of these methods are tried and tested over time. So, if you want that wine label for your memorial or memorial, try these wine hacks we’ve made for you, and good luck!

Result

Learning how to remove wine bottle labels gives you the opportunity to add them to your wine journal, scrapbook, or wine label collection. You can also frame and display them inside your home for all your guests to see and admire.