How to use Cricut Dissolvable Paper to make easy-to-remove expiration date labels for pantry and refrigerator food storage containers. You don’t even have to have a Cricut machine to use them!
When it comes to pantry and refrigerator organization, everyone wants to jump on the trend of using airtight storage containers to decant their food. But the concern of expiration dates, cooking times, and other info from the package is typically what holds you back from getting started. As a professional organizer, I can tell you that sometimes decanting food in the pantry isn’t necessary, but in some situations, it definitely is.
If decanting food in your kitchen is something you already do or have been wanting to try, I am so excited to show you the new Dissolvable Paper from Cricut. I have tested it out five times so far, and it exceeded my expectations every single time. Here’s exactly how the dissolvable paper works and where you can use it in your kitchen. Bonus: you don’t even need a Cricut machine!
What Is Cricut Dissolvable Paper?
Cricut Dissolvable Paper looks and feels like paper and has an adhesive backing. It’s thinner than regular paper and very easy to work with. Since it has an adhesive backing, it can be applied directly to any solid surface without the use of transfer tape. When you’re ready to remove it, it washes away with warm water and leaves no residue.
How To Make Labels With Cricut Dissolvable Paper
My favorite method I’ve tried with this material is making expiration date labels for my pantry food storage containers. I’ve tried a lot of different ways to add expiration dates to these containers (chalkboard labels, chalk pens, dry erase labels, Sharpies, all the things) and this is by far the easiest and fastest to remove.
First, cut a small rectangle of Cricut Dissolvable paper to fit your container. If you’re using them for expiration dates, I recommend putting them on the lower half of the back side of the container. It’s a place that isn’t seen, doesn’t get touched when picked up, and can’t get scraped off on the shelving.
Remove the backing to reveal the adhesive side of the dissolvable paper, then stick it on your container. Make sure you do this carefully the first time, because I found through experimentation that the labels don’t do well being peeled off and reapplied.
Write the expiration date on the label, and allow the ink to dry for about 30 seconds before touching it. Then you can put the container back in the pantry or refrigerator and go on with your day. It will just hang out on the container until it’s empty.
How To Remove The Labels
Now here’s the fun part! Once your container is empty and ready to be refilled with more food, that means there is a new expiration date. If you have kids, now is the time to bring them into the kitchen because they are going to love this magic trick!
Turn on the faucet to a warm temperature (I found that the temperature you’d bathe a baby with works best) and allow the water to heat up. Then hold the container under the running water. Depending on how large the label is and how long it’s been on the container will determine how quickly it dissolves.
The label literally self-destructs right in front of your eyes! Once it starts disappearing, it picks up the pace quickly and is gone with no residue at all. There’s no scraping, no soap, no nothing. The Cricut website says to scrub the area after running water over it, but I haven’t had to scrub it at all. I tested on glass, plastic, and bamboo and none of them required any work on my part. It came off on its own with just running water.
Do You Have To Have A Cricut Machine For Cricut Dissolvable Paper?
No, a Cricut machine allows you to cut label shapes and can write on the label for you, but it’s not required for use. Cricut Dissolvable Paper can be cut by hand with scissors and applied without any special tools or materials.
Do You Have To Use Cricut Pens With Cricut Dissolvable Paper?
No, you can use any type of pen or marker with Cricut Dissolvable Paper. I tested labels with the Cricut Fine Point Pen, a Sharpie marker, a gel pen, and even a standard cheap pen from the dollar store. They all worked well on the paper and all dissolved at the same rate of speed and effectiveness.
Can Cricut Dissolvable Paper Go In The Dishwasher?
Yes, as long as the container is dishwasher safe, you can put it in the appliance, and the label will be completely gone by the time the cycle is finished. There is no paper residue in the dishwasher filter because it completely dissolves. This is a great method for washing a lot of containers at once because you can skip the step of rinsing off the labels one by one in the sink.
What Size & Color Options Are Available For Cricut Dissolvable Paper?
Currently at the initial launch of the dissolvable paper, it is only available in white. It comes in a roll of two size options. The 13″ x 24″ size fits Cricut Explore 3 and Cricut Maker 3 machines, and the 5.5″ x 36″ size fits Cricut Joy. You don’t need a mat to use the paper with these machines because it’s a Smart Material.
*Note: the 13″ x 24″ does not fit in the original Maker, Explore Air 2, or original Explore machines. Since it’s a smart material, it’s a little wider. You can, however, cut the paper down by an inch on one side and use with a mat on your older Cricut machine, so don’t feel like it’s out of the question if you don’t have a newer machine.
Can A Cricut machine write on dissolvable paper?
Ok, here’s the truth. Yes, the machine can write on the dissolvable paper, but after three rounds of testing and getting the same results all three times, I would not recommend it. The machine doesn’t write letter by letter. Instead, it creates parts of each letter to go by line for efficiency. You can see in the photo above what the label looked like when the machine wrote it.
The dots on each letter were really blown out and spread a lot. It made the letters look really inconsistent, and I did not like that at all. I used the exact same Cricut pen to handwrite the words, and it didn’t spread like that on the points of the letters, so the problem was definitely the machine and not the pen.
Where To Buy
You can buy Cricut Dissolvable Paper online at Cricut’s website, on Amazon, or at your favorite large craft store. I haven’t seen it availabe in-store at Target or Walmart yet, but you can order online from there. I usually buy my Cricut materials from the Cricut website because as an Access Member I get a discount, but I also buy from Michael’s when they run Cricut sales.
More Ways To Use Cricut Dissolvable Paper
I cannot wait to experiment with this material more and see what else I can do with it. Here’s a list of things I’m going to try with it:
- Labeling leftovers in the refrigerator
- Labeling homemade jam in jars as a gift (so recipient can reuse the jar)
- Putting names on drinking glasses when hosting a party
- Labeling each food serving dish with any allergens it contains when hosting a party
- Putting my name on a container when attending a potluck
- Labeling seasonal craft storage containers (since I change what’s in them very often)
See The Magic In Action
I filmed a video of the label application and how it dissolves under water and posted on my Instagram page @lelaburris. You can watch the video above, then be sure to follow me for more organizing ideas. See you there!
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