In this post: Sharing my simple tips for removing print off glass bottles!
Between all of the colorful blooms that I’ve clipped from our yard, the beautiful lilies my husband gave me for our anniversary (17 years!), and my habit of picking up a bouquet or two along with the groceries, our house is seriously starting to look and smell like a flower shop. I’ve got a ton of large vases along with pitchers, mason jars, ginger jars, etc. but the only smaller vases I could dig up are some ugly little guys I’ve had forever. After I little more scrounging, I figured out a simple freebie flower vase solution:
I had to look no further than our liquor cabinet. I had recently picked up a few decanters from estate sales and thrift shops and so I scoped out our prettiest liquor bottles, emptied them into the decanters, and went to town turning these suckers into pretty little vases. (If you don’t drink, I’ve seen some beautiful glass vinegar and apple cider containers that would work too!)
Getting off the labels was pretty straightforward – a little soak in warm water and they all slid off easily (and a little lighter fluid works great for any residual sticky stuff). But I also wanted to get off the lettering on the bottles. After trying a bunch of different solutions, the one that worked best for removing the lettering was the easiest – a one hour soak in apple cider vinegar:
After soaking the bottles, all of the white lettering wiped off incredibly easily:
The bottle below had white lettering outlined in a dark color and while the white easily wiped off, the outline of the lettering remained. It doesn’t bother me (I actually think it gives the vase some character) but if you want a totally clear vase, go with a bottle that has all-white lettering.
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I’ve already put all of three of my vases to work – one on the butcher block area next to our kitchen coffee station:
Another on my little “vase holder” (aka ugly toothbrush holder) in our powder room:
And the third is on the ottoman in our living room – this is the little guy that I love best (aren’t those angel wings sweet?):
So now you’ve got no excuse for not clipping a few of those pretty flowers in your yard and enjoying them in your home!
I’ll be checking back in tomorrow for a quick post to share some of my favorite blogger projects of the month and to give you all the scoop on a summer house tour that I’m part of next week! See you then!
Barbara says
Apple Cider vinegar worked like a charm! Thanks!
Bonnie Barnes says
I’ve have used the vinegar trick on old, printed label bottles for some time. It works great! But I’ve found on newer bottles (pop, juice), it doesn’t work, not even after leaving them to soak for a couple days…. Have you experienced this too? Have you found some other trick to use on newer bottles?
Kris Jarrett says
I’ve had a few bottles where it doesn’t work and unfortunately haven’t been able to find a solution 🙁
Jim says
Some newer paints may be better formulated than of old, and some may actually be fused on with a kiln.
Trayce says
I know I’m tardy to the party on this article but I must say thank you for this. I have been trying to figure this out for months. I just happened to find a pin to this post and I’m thrilled! I tried this last night and it worked like magic. I have several containers soaking at home now and I can’t wait to get home and check them out. You’re the best!
Helen Butler says
I saw this but was out of apple cider vinegar. Tried distilled white vinegar instead on some really stubborn logos. Voilá! Soaked about 5-7 minutes and it wiped right off.
Amy Hoffenberg says
Did all of the colors come off when you used the regular Distilled Vinegar? I have a bunch of bottles with print on them & I’ve been removing labels from bottles donated to me for my wine bottle décor sets.
Pie says
Question!? When you soaked the whole area were you able to wipe of some parts and leave others (by your choosing?) or if you soak it all will it all wipe away?
I have a pretty bottle that I’d like to leave the pattern but wipe away the label content printed in the back.
Thanks so much!
Pie
Kris Jarrett says
Honestly I’m not sure because I wanted all of the lettering off so I wiped over the whole surface of the bottles. I would think you could keep some of it on there but I haven’t tried!
Jim says
You might try covering the design you want to keep with some sort of waterproof tape, like a box packaging tape. (Not the type with fiberglass threads) Just make sure to leave no gap for the vinegar to seep into. Make sure the tape won’t actually remove the bits you want to keep. Test some on what you DO want to remove first!
Ranya says
Thank you so much!! I’ve been trying to get the writing off some bourbon bottles for two days now. Tried every method I could find. Finally did one more search and came across this. The apple Cider Vinegar worked perfectly!! Thanks for saving my centerpieces!
Kris Jarrett says
I’m so glad it worked well for you!!
Patricia says
SO funny! I am using the same exact “vases.” thanks for the tip
Kris Jarrett says
Ha! That is funny! Glad you found the post helpful!
Ronda says
Thank you for sharing this beautiful bottle idea. I have been hoarding liquor bottles for some time but haven’t taken the next step to remove the labels and stick in the blooms from my yard .
Anonymous says
Wow, the cider vinegar is dissolving the paint!
Natural, economical, and quick!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this great tip!!
Monica says
Hello! I just want to say that you gave me wonderfull idea for my empty bottles, they are so cute i could never rid of them haha! Just tell me one thing, please, what is the name of flowers in the last pics with angel wings bottle? 🙂
Anonymous says
I think it’s tiger lily.
Denise says
It’s a Stargazer Lily (my favorite flower, very fragrant.)
Karen says
Pretty sure it is the lily Stargazer
Maria says
I ordered some personalized wine glasses for a baptism but the date printed on them is wrong. Do you think your tip could help me remove it off?
Please get back to me asap.
Thank you Maria
Kris Jarrett says
Unfortunately I’m not sure Maria – I guess it depends upon whether the date is etched on the glass or put on in some other way. Good luck!
Paula@SweetPea says
I had no idea that vinegar would remove lettering. What a great tip!
I’m new here (found you by way of a comment you left on Christy’s blog) and am having a good time visiting.
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks so much Paula – so glad that you stopped by for a visit 🙂
angelica@mydearirene says
Thanks for the great tip! I used to throw away the bottles that had lettering – never again 🙂
Marigene says
Thanks for the tip! Love the shape of the liquor bottles.
debra @ 5th and state says
happy anniversary kris!
i need to get to the liquor store post haste, these are darling
debra
Lisa @ Shine Your Light says
I love the one with the angel wings too! I didn’t know that trick about apple cider vinegar and I am a HUGE fan of repurposing jars and bottles, so thank you for that clever idea!! Vinegar is just the most useful thing around isn’t it? Your flowers look so pretty all over your house. Happy anniversary by the way!!!!! We just had our 18th this month, it’s crazy. Feels like just yesterday that we tied the knot.
cassie @ primitive & proper says
these are awesome! love the one with the wings!