After drying, the sap will stick to the fibers of the fabric and become a stubborn stain. The sap is easier to remove when handled right away, but you don't need to throw away the stained clothes. Alcohol, stain-removing products, and detergents are all effective ingredients for removing latex stains. As long as you don't make the stain stick stronger by drying it, your clothes will look clean again.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Treating Stains with Alcohol
Step 1. Freeze the sap for a few minutes in the freezer
You should only do this if there are lumps of sap on the clothes. The sap doesn't come off easily if it's not frozen. Place the garment in the freezer or place a plastic bag filled with ice over the affected area. After a few minutes, the sap will harden.
Step 2. Scrape the sap using a knife
Use a dull butter knife so you don't cut your fingers or damage your clothes. Hold the knife in a horizontal position (following the surface of the garment) and scrape off any gum that sticks. Be careful when you use a knife. The frozen sap will feel rough and break easily so you don't have to press or move the knife too hard.
Step 3. Pour the alcohol on the towel
Dampen an unused patchwork, hand towel, or cotton swab with rubbing alcohol. You can get isopropyl alcohol from a pharmacy or supermarket. If that's not available, you can use a hand sanitizer gel or an alcohol-based hairspray.
For clothes made of leather, use saddle soap (soap specifically for leather products). A small amount of peanut butter can also be used to clean leather clothes without damaging them
Step 4. Gently rub the alcohol on the stain
Dab a dampened towel over the stain. If you poured alcohol directly on the stain, you can scrub it with your fingers or an old toothbrush.
Step 5. Repeat the cleaning process as needed
Usually the alcohol will destroy the sap stain immediately. For large stains, you will need to use more alcohol. Reuse the patchwork or re-add the alcohol directly to the stain. Rub the affected area with the sap until the stain disappears.
Step 6. Wash the clothes
Clean clothes as usual. You can put it in the washing machine and use regular detergent. To be more effective, use the hottest water that is safest for clothing. To find out the temperature limit for the water that needs to be used, check the clothing label or get recommendations from the internet by typing in the type of fabric to be washed.
Method 2 of 3: Using Bleach and Bleach Products
Step 1. Treat the stain from the start using a stain remover product
Most stain removal products can destroy latex stains. You can also use liquid laundry detergent. Pour the product on a patchwork or cotton swab. After that, coat it (thinly only) on the part you want to clean.
Step 2. Wet the stain for 20 minutes
Smooth the product onto the stain using your fingers or a toothbrush if you prefer. Dry the clothes in the open for about 20 minutes. By letting it sit, the product can release a dry sap which is very difficult to remove by washing alone.
Step 3. Wash clothes at the highest temperature that is safest for clothes
The water temperature required will depend on the type of fabric being washed. Most clothes can be washed in warm water which is usually quite effective at removing sap stains. Fabrics that are easily damaged or dark in color need to be washed in cold water. You can wash clothes in a washing machine or manually (by hand).
Step 4. Wash clothes using bleach to remove stubborn stains
Laundry detergent is usually effective enough to remove latex stains. For added effect, you can use bleach. Chlorine bleach products are safe for use on white cotton or cotton-polyester blends. For other types of clothing, you will need an all-tone bleach product (eg Vanish) or oxygen bleach. Read the information label to make sure the product will not damage clothing.
Step 5. Repeat the cleaning until all the sap is removed
Don't put clothes that are still dirty in the dryer, even if you really want to. Once it dries, the stain will become much more difficult to remove, especially if you dry it on a hot temperature. Rewash the clothes or try using isopropyl alcohol. You may need to repeat the wash 2-3 times until all the sap is removed, but at least your favorite clothes can be saved.
Method 3 of 3: Cleaning Clothes with Powdered Detergent
Step 1. Mix equal amounts of powdered detergent with water
Take a small container and fill it with a small amount of powdered laundry detergent (without bleach). You don't need a lot of detergent; just as needed to be applied to the sap stain. Add a teaspoon of detergent and mix it with a balanced amount of water. Mix the two ingredients together to form a paste.
Step 2. Apply the paste on the stain
Pour and spread the paste over the area you want to clean. You can apply it quickly with a spoon or something else like a sponge or patchwork.
Step 3. Let the paste sit on the stain for 30 minutes
Let the paste sit to break up the stain particles. Since it doesn't contain bleach, the paste won't damage the fabric.
Step 4. Sprinkle unfoamed ammonia on the stain
Foamless ammonia is a colorless clear ammonia product that is usually sold in stores. Pour a few drops of ammonia on stubborn stains. This step is optional and can be followed for stains that remain after you wash your clothes.
Step 5. Wash the clothes with warm water
Put the clothes in the washing machine. Run a wash cycle and add your regular laundry detergent. Warm water is usually safe for most types of clothing, but if the fabric has better resistance, increase the temperature of the water. Now your clothes are sap-free, at least until you're leaning against a tree trunk that has sap on it.
