How to Collect Pop Bottles

Where To Find Pop Bottles

• 1

  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.

• 2

  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.

• 3

  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.

• 4

  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.

• 5

  Look for bottles when on vacation or visiting relatives. If near an ocean, scour the beach.

• 6

  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.

• 7

  Look around old, abandoned houses and buildings but do not trespass or dig without permission.

How To Clean Pop Bottles

• 8

  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.

• 9

  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.

• 10

  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.