How to Collect Pop Bottles
Pop bottle collecting allows you to get into the fresh air and nature while providing you will some healthy, old-fashioned exercise. Not only will you get a rush of adrenaline when you find old bottles, but you will also get a feeling of accomplishment by cleaning and restoring these old bottles to their once shiny glory.
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Things You'll Need
- Gloves
- Dish washing liquid
- Dish cloth
- Nonabrasive pad
- Soft-bristled brush
- Dish towel
- Mineral scale remover
Instructions
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Where To Find Pop Bottles
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Visit flea markets and yard sales. You might find some old bottles for under a dollar. Take a trip to an auction house. It may have old bottles for sale.
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Look around rivers, lakes and ponds to find old bottles. Walk slowly along the edge of the water while scanning back and forth in front of you.
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Dig for bottles. Many times bottles laying on the ground get covered by layers and layers of dirt over the years. Get permission before digging.
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Ask friends and family if they have any old bottles that they do not want. When a new "special collector's edition" comes out, people hoard them for a few years until they eventually become unwanted.
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Look for bottles when on vacation or visiting relatives. If near an ocean, scour the beach.
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Join pop bottle collection forums and message boards. Start up conversations with other pop bottle collectors from other countries and exchange pop bottles with them.
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Look around old, abandoned houses and buildings but do not trespass or dig without permission.
How To Clean Pop Bottles
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Fill the kitchen sink with warm water and mild dish washing liquid. Place the bottles one at a time into the water and allow water to enter the bottle. Allow them to soak for a few hours. Use a dishcloth to gently clean the inside and outside of the bottles. Rinse the bottles thoroughly and allow to air-dry.
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Use mineral scale removers (Lime-Away is one example) to clean away mineral deposits left behind. Sometimes, liquid is left inside a bottle, and when it evaporates it leaves behind mineral scale. Spray or pour the remover into the bottle and swish around. Allow to sit for a few hours or even overnight. Dump out the chemicals and thoroughly rinse the bottle. If needed, use a nonabrasive pad or soft-bristled brush for scrubbing.
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Have your bottles cleaned professionally. Sometimes, bottles develop a cloudiness or etching that cannot be removed by at-home methods. If this is the case, you can have your bottles cleaned by a glass cleaning professional. These professionals use a super-fine polishing compound and a tumbler to restore the bottle's once glossy surface. Depending on the severity of the stain and their rates, the typical price range is $10 to $50 per bottle.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear gloves when handling old bottles.
Do not use steel wool or synthetic scouring pads, as they may scratch the bottles.
Read all warnings and follow all directions when working with chemicals.
When handling glass bottles, be careful not to cut yourself.
