Tree sap is one of the most difficult-to-remove materials in the world. Just a drop of it feels like it took you an hour of scrubbing with soap and water to try to get rid of the stickiness. In fact, in your home, you have all the tools you need to remove sap right now, and it's very easy to do if you know how.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using Ingredients at Home
Step 1. Use cooking oil, such as vegetable oil, olive oil, canola oil, or margarine to remove it
Gently rub a small amount of oil over your hands on the affected area for 30-60 seconds. When you're done, wash your hands with warm water and a little hand soap to remove any remaining sap.
For some areas that are difficult to remove, apply a small amount of baking soda directly to the sap and grease it with oil to remove it
Step 2. Spread a spoonful of peanut butter on your hands
Peanut butter has the same function as removing chewing gum from your hair, because the oils in peanut butter also work to remove the sap from your hands. Apply it on the affected area and gently massage it into your skin. The process will begin by pulling the sap from your hands, and then the remaining sap will disappear after washing your hands with soap and hot water.
Have you run out of peanut butter? Try using mayonnaise in the same way
Step 3. Use toothpaste
Rub the affected skin with the sap with toothpaste and rub gently. The scrubber in the toothpaste will remove the sap in 1-2 minutes. Wash off your toothpaste with hot water and soap to finish.
Step 4. Try rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover on the larger stain
Both of these liquids may dry out your skin, but they are very effective. Pour a few drops on a rag or sponge and use it to gently scrub the sap. Give it a little time to soak in before trying to remove it from your skin, and be sure to wash your hands with soap and water when you're done.
Alcohol rub, used in first aid kits or as a disinfectant, is a good solution
Step 5. Try using a small amount of "WD40" liquid
Use a small amount of stain remover in your hands and use it to "wash" your hands as you would with liquid soap. Rub the sap for some time which will eventually remove the sap. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and warm water “right away” when you're done.
Step 6. Use warm water, salt, honey for a naturally softening cleanse
Take a large bowl and fill 2/3 with warm water. Add 2 tablespoons of salt and a little honey and mix everything together. Soak your hands in it for 3-5 minutes, rubbing occasionally. Dry naturally and wash your hands with soap and water to remove any residual sap.
Step 7. If you are in the woods, rub the soil on the sap-affected hand
When you just got the sap on and the stain is still wet, rub a little dirt on your hands. Wait for it to dry, until the stain is crusty, but the soil hasn't set too hard on your skin, then you can use soap and water to remove the sap.
Method 2 of 2: Removing Sap from Floors, Carpets and Clothing
Step 1. Always start the cleaning solution on only a small part of the surface you are cleaning
Do not spray a lot of "WD40" on the material and try to remove the sap. Make sure that whatever material you use, it will not destroy your clothes or the surface of the floor or carpet. Test the effect of the substance in an inconspicuous place first. Put this cleanser on the surface and rub it. Let stand 20 minutes and then check again to make sure the surface is not discolored or warped.
Step 2. Use isopropyl alcohol to remove the sap from the material
Using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol (at 90%, if possible), rub the sap stain in a circular motion to remove it from the material. This can be done on clothes, carpets and curtains. Try to remove the sap first before washing and drying your clothes, as doing so can cause the sap to harden and the stain to not be removed.
Step 3. Try using mineral oil to safely remove sap on hard surfaces
Mineral oil will remove the sap from cars, floors and other hard surfaces to which the sap is attached. This fine, oil-based cleanser should be rubbed into the sap, but the sap can be removed quickly.
Step 4. Use insect repellent
It may sound strange, but just a little bit of insect repellent can reduce sap on a variety of surfaces, floors and roofs. Spray the surface with bug spray and let it sit for a few minutes and try to remove it by rubbing it.
Tips
- The sap doesn't seem dangerous, but it can be a problem if you let it stick to your hands, especially if your hands rub against clothes or the house.
- The sooner you act after the sap is exposed, while the sap is still wet, the easier the stain will be to remove.
