February 2025

Water-based glue for jar labels

A simple and cost-effective solution for attaching labels to glass jars is to use a homemade water-based glue. This method is not only cheaper than tape but also much more affordable than stickers. Unlike stickers and tape, which often leave stubborn glue residues when you want to reuse the jars, water-based glue offers a cleaner alternative. Stickers, which use polymer-based adhesives, tend to bond more strongly with glass than with paper or tape. Over time, the polymer molecules rearrange, creating a strong bond with the glass. After about six months, removing the sticker can leave unwanted residue on the jar.

In contrast, water-based glue provides a much easier and residue-free way to adhere paper labels to glass. When it's time to remove the label, simply place the jar in a bowl of water and let it soak for about 30 minutes. Voila, the paper label will peel off easily not leaving any glue residue on the jar.

mason jar label, home made water-based glue

There are a number of formulations to make a water-based glue that adheres well to glass but the best and cheapest is a milk and wheat paste:

Mix a bit of ordinary white flower with milk to make a pancake like batter. Apply the paste with your finger to the back of your paper label and stick it to the jar. Wait until the wheat paste is dry and you will see that this glue is extremely strong. It's impossible to pull label off when it's dry but you just have to soak the label in water and everything comes off easily.
It's important that the label is actually in contact with the glue and the jar. That sounds obvious but it's more complicated in practice. As the water evaporates small air cavities could from. I place the jar on a soft pillow with the label facing down on the pillow while drying. The pillow fabric allows the water to evaporate and there is a constant slight pressure on the label keeping it in contact with the jar.
White school glue (polyvinyl acetate glue) does not work on glass or metal. It holds the label while it is still wet but the label falls off once it is dry. This slurry of white flower and milk is different. It makes a very strong glue for paper on glass or metal.

This is a great way to attach paper labels to your mason jars and remove them later without any residue on the jar. It's the milk that causes the glue to stick to glass or metal surfaces. The flour improves the binding with the paper. Please note that painted metal surfaces are not the same as metal surfaces and some paints have surprising water repelling properties.

wheat paste: a perfect paper on glass glue

wheat and milk paste: a perfect paper on glass glue