<p>There probably isn't a universal solution because different manufacturers attach the labels in different ways and with different adhesives.  If you are dealing with very old cans, there may be additional differences.</p>
<p>I would start with steam.  There's a good chance that it will release the glue holding the label to itself in a loop.  Unfortunately, steam will also soften the paper, so it will likely tear if you try to pull on it.  Just keep applying steam at the seam until the paper separates on its own.</p>
<p>Assuming the label is also glued to the can, the steam will likely also release that.  It will penetrate paper and it will warm the can, both of which will help, but the fastest release will happen if you can direct the steam into the seam between the label and can.  As the paper releases, let gravity pull the paper away, exposing more seam as you work your way around the can.</p>
<p>If the paper is glued to the can only at the seam where it is glued to itself, and if you can sacrifice the seam, you could just use a hobby knife to cut the label off on both sides of the seam.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-16T19:04:10.857Z
2021-10-16T19:04:10.857Z
fixer1234
<p>I always understood that soaking in water overnight did this. But I haven't tried it for a few years</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-21T13:27:33.067Z
If you don't need to preserve the label, this will work.  Even if the glue doesn't dissolve, the paper will turn to mush for easy removal.  In the case of this question, the objective is to salvage the label intact, so this isn't a good solution for that.
fixer1234
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-29T16:32:11.097Z
This might work if the glue dissolved during the soak and then the paper was allowed to dry before disturbing it. The paper will be very fragile while it is wet though.
rebusB
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-20T23:35:23.553Z
2021-10-20T23:35:23.553Z
ChrisWA
<p>Does anybody have any solutions/suggestions for removing a paper label, whole and undamaged, from a metal can?</p>
<p>About the only thing I can think of is heat to try to soften, if possible, the glue. (What is that adhesive, anyway?) I think any chemical would be out of the question, unless it's fairly &quot;volatile&quot; or evaporative, like acetone/nail polish remover. Is there something I may be missing?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-16T00:26:19.020Z
@Elmy, we do have [this question](https://crafts.stackexchange.com/questions/595/how-do-i-remove-labels-from-glass-jars-bottles), asking the exact some thing about bottles, but mentioning in addition that bottles are a "great base material for many crafts". Since cans can be used in similar ways, and the OP doesn't disclose their reason, I think we can assume good intentions.
Joachim
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-17T13:37:03.487Z
Hector, please chose **one** SE site for your question. Cross-posting the identical question is frowned upon on the SE network.
Stephie
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-17T17:29:24.703Z
@Stephie So that was what the OP was talking about in an answer I deleted - they weren't able to delete it since they are unregistered. Thanks for pointing it out :) Based on [this Q&A on Meta](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/4708/what-to-do-with-cross-site-duplicates), however, I'll keep it here as well.
Joachim
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-17T17:33:42.403Z
Duplicate question on Life-Hacks: https://lifehacks.stackexchange.com/q/25145/12132
Joachim
<adhesives><paper><preservation>
Solutions or suggestions for removing and preserving label from canned good?
Hector Boiardi
# Solutions or suggestions for removing and preserving label from canned good?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-10-15)

Does anybody have any solutions/suggestions for removing a paper label, whole and undamaged, from a metal can?

About the only thing I can think of is heat to try to soften, if possible, the glue. (What is that adhesive, anyway?) I think any chemical would be out of the question, unless it's fairly "volatile" or evaporative, like acetone/nail polish remover. Is there something I may be missing?

**Tags:** adhesives, paper, preservation

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: @Elmy, we do have [this question](https://crafts.stackexchange.com/questions/595/how-do-i-remove-labels-from-glass-jars-bottles), asking the exact some thing about bottles, but mentioning in addition that bottles are a "great base material for many crafts". Since cans can be used in similar ways, and the OP doesn't disclose their reason, I think we can assume good intentions.  
> **username_2**: username_0, please chose **one** SE site for your question. Cross-posting the identical question is frowned upon on the SE network.  
> **username_1**: @username_2 So that was what the OP was talking about in an answer I deleted - they weren't able to delete it since they are unregistered. Thanks for pointing it out :) Based on [this Q&A on Meta](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/4708/what-to-do-with-cross-site-duplicates), however, I'll keep it here as well.  
> **username_1**: Duplicate question on Life-Hacks: https://lifehacks.stackexchange.com/q/25145/12132  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2021-10-16. Score: 3

There probably isn't a universal solution because different manufacturers attach the labels in different ways and with different adhesives. If you are dealing with very old cans, there may be additional differences.

I would start with steam. There's a good chance that it will release the glue holding the label to itself in a loop. Unfortunately, steam will also soften the paper, so it will likely tear if you try to pull on it. Just keep applying steam at the seam until the paper separates on its own.

Assuming the label is also glued to the can, the steam will likely also release that. It will penetrate paper and it will warm the can, both of which will help, but the fastest release will happen if you can direct the steam into the seam between the label and can. As the paper releases, let gravity pull the paper away, exposing more seam as you work your way around the can.

If the paper is glued to the can only at the seam where it is glued to itself, and if you can sacrifice the seam, you could just use a hobby knife to cut the label off on both sides of the seam.


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### Answer by username_4 on 2021-10-20. Score: 1

I always understood that soaking in water overnight did this. But I haven't tried it for a few years

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: If you don't need to preserve the label, this will work.  Even if the glue doesn't dissolve, the paper will turn to mush for easy removal.  In the case of this question, the objective is to salvage the label intact, so this isn't a good solution for that.  
> **username_5**: This might work if the glue dissolved during the soak and then the paper was allowed to dry before disturbing it. The paper will be very fragile while it is wet though.  

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