Plant Label Cleaning

[Garvey]

Its that time of year again. I'm cleaning old plant labels ready for new sowings. It's quiet a tough job scrubbing the old pencil etchings off the plastic labels - doing my nut! Does anyone have a top tip to make this chore a little easier??

[rustylady]

Use a brillo pad

[roitelet]

A spot of white spirit on a cloth usually shifts pencil easily. Don't use them any more instead I use chopped up Creme Fraiche pots and throw them away when I have finished with them. Saves loads of time

[Alison]

I use one of those sponges that you can buy from DIY type shops which can remove marks off paintwork etc, think they're called magic something or other, just wash the labels and while they're still wet, rub the writing gently and you're done. That way I can avoid waste which I abhor.

[bearded bloke]

Wd40 or similar & rub with a cloth,also removes "permanent" marker pen from most hard surfaces

[Potstubsdustbins]

I use the same method as Alison, only difference being I can steal SWMBO's magic whotsit.


Potty

[Two_Sheds]

Does anyone have a top tip to make this chore a little easier??

I do them little & often, not all together.
Every time one has finished its job, I clean it in the washing up, rub off the pencil with a white eraser, and store with its friends in a cup

[Garvey]

These are all brilliant words of wisdom - thank you team. Love the rubber idea - simple.
What I have noticed this afternoon is that some of the labels have a roughed up side. Its pencil on this surface that's an absolutely nightmare to remove. The smooth sided labels are much easier. Cleaning them in batches is a very sensible idea. Looking at hundreds of old plant labels is not a motivating start to the new season :-)

[Potstubsdustbins]

The rough side is the correct side to write on, if you use the smooth side your writing will wash off in the rain.

Colin

[Madasafish]

I use Vim of CIF cream.. With rubber gloves and a cloth and a drink.

Within 30 mins all done. Look out of window and watch the birds otherwise bored..

Some of mine are at least 15 years old - cheapskate is my middle name.

[Bren In Pots]

I use a piece of wet an dry paper out of Mr Pots shed.

[WendyC]

I have a labeller so just peel the labels off at the end of the season.

[Bigmallly]

As I use a permanent marker on my labels, nail varnish remover takes it off in one wipe.

[Kirk]

Buy a new pack, only £1 for 50, and they give you a new pencil to make a mess on the new ones.
Must cost as much in materials to clean the old ones.

[VirginVegGrower]

I use Vim of CIF cream.. With rubber gloves and a cloth and a drink.

Within 30 mins all done. Look out of window and watch the birds otherwise bored..

Some of mine are at least 15 years old - cheapskate is my middle name.

I was about to say Astonish from the pound shop - same principle as Cif/Jif.
But the best idea I've ever seen is chalk pen on the plant pot a la Zazen. So this year I've pinched that idea