Bottles (Color and Labels)

[downhill_biker]

Question #1

I was recently given a bunch of bottles. I have heard that brown bottles are better because they let in less light and I was wondering if there is any truth to this? I decided to throw out everything besides brown bottles for this reason, and because I think brown bottles are most attractive, since I have so many now.

Question #2

What is the best way to remove labels? I soaked them, pealed the label, then soaked some more and scrubbed off the glue. It seemed to work pretty well for the most part.

Here are some pics of my label removing process. Made for a long night of scrubbing...

Cat was pretty curious as to what all the noise was...

 

[avidhomebrewer]

#1 - I have clear and brown bottles, with the overwhelming majority being brown. Yes, the funk does enter into the equation with non-brown bottles, assuming you leave them exposed to light.

#2 - I soak mine in the sink with bleach water for 24 hours, scrape with a knife, and all is well. Cleans the sink and makes the swmbo happy, at least for the short term.

 

[Fantastical]

#1 - I have clear and brown bottles, with the overwhelming majority being brown. Yes, the funk does enter into the equation with non-brown bottles, assuming you leave them exposed to light.

#2 - I soak mine in the sink with bleach water for 24 hours, scrape with a knife, and all is well. Cleans the sink and makes the swmbo happy, at least for the short term.

Same thing here. Bleech and water soaking. I actually use an SOS pad though but I will try the knife next time.

 

[worstbrewing]

I've been using baking soda (it's a strong base) soaked in warm water and the labels (including the glue) literally float right off to the top of the water in typically 30 minutes or so. Some of the more stubborn ones I just add more baking soda and soak longer. Admittedly, I got this tip from someone on here a while back, but my girlfriend (a chemist) also kept saying it would probably work... oh science!

 

[logan3825]

1-Brown bottles let in the least light but you will probably be keeping your homebrew in a box after bottling and in the fridge after that so how much does it really matter? It isn't like they will be sitting out on a shelf for weeks somewhere.

2-Oxiclean is the preferred method for many brewers. I soak until the labels easily peel off(5-10 minutes depending on the brewery) then soak for another 15 minutes or until the glue just wipes off. New Glarus bottles are my favorite and they usually come filled with delicious beer. If the bottles are dirty on the inside I chuck them. Washing bottles is in my opinion the most tedious and boring part of homebrewing. Well, other than watching wort boil or water heat up.

 

[HItransplant]

I've been using baking soda (it's a strong base) soaked in warm water and the labels (including the glue) literally float right off to the top of the water in typically 30 minutes or so. Some of the more stubborn ones I just add more baking soda and soak longer. Admittedly, I got this tip from someone on here a while back, but my girlfriend (a chemist) also kept saying it would probably work... oh science!

agree.. this method works awesome. I just fill up a trash can half way with water, add half a box of soda, start putting in bottles. You can just take a sponge and the labels and glue comes right off. Its actually kinda therapeutic.

oh, and go with brown bottles.. why would you even have clear ones? (anything that comes in a clear bottle isnt worth paying money for as far as Im concerned).

edit: oh, and watch out for twisties, nothing like taking the time to clean a bottle and then put it straight into the recycle bin.

 

[elproducto]

Seriously, soak with Oxyclean. Get the no-name Walmart brand. A couple of days soaked in that, and the labels fall off.. no scrubbing needed/.

 

[downhill_biker]

I will try the baking soda, since I have a ton of that for my aquariums...and see how it works. If it isn't good I will try the oxyclean. Thanks for the tips guys. Since I have so many brown bottles I will probably just stick with those. I do plan on leaving them on the shelf in the basement so blocking a little light might be a good thing. Besides, I have plenty of the bottles.

 

[BellTap]

I soak them in hot water with oxy clean. After about 10 minutes, the labels fall right off, then a light scrub with a green 3m pad takes the glue right off.