How to Get Sap Out of Clothing (3 Easy Solutions)

If you’ve been around pine trees before, then you know that the sap is extremely sticky!

Your hands can feel sticky even after washing them several times, so finding sap on your clothing is not a happy discovery.

There are three simple solutions that will make it easy to get the sap out of your clothing and make it as good as new.

Tips Before You Start

  • Always test any of the recommended products on an inside seam to make sure that it doesn’t cause any discoloration to your clothing.
  • Let your clothing air dry after washing to make sure that the sap is completely out of your clothing.
How to get sap out of clothing!

1. Freezing

The easiest option for getting sap out of clothing is to freeze it.

The sap will harden, similar to how gum does in the freezer, and then you can scrape it off.

Follow these steps to get sap out by freezing it.

Step 1 – Put the clothing in a bag in the freezer. Make sure you fold the clothing so that the sap touches only the bag and not any other areas of the clothing.

Step 2 – Keep it in the freezer for at least two hours.

Step 3 – Take it out and use a plastic knife to scrape the sap off the clothing.

Step 4 – Wash as you normally would, but on the hottest setting possible for that piece of clothing (check the tag to see what that is).

Step 5 – Let it air dry after you pull it from the washer and check to make sure all the sap is gone after it is completely dry.

2. Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is a perfect solution for getting sticky things off of anything!

It helps to neutralize the situations so that you can scrape off the sap.

Follow these steps to get sap out using rubbing alcohol.

Step 1 – Use a paper towel and blot the area with the sap with rubbing alcohol. Do this several times and then use a spoon or butter knife to scrape off the sap.

Step 2 – Once you have the sap cleaned off, pre-treat your clothing by pouring a little bit of detergent directly on it. Let it sit for at least 5 minutes.

Step 3 – Wash as you normally would, but check the tag to see what is the hottest setting you can use.

Step 4 – Take the clothing out and let it air dry. Once it is totally dry, then check to make sure that the sap is completely gone.

3. Nail Polish Remover

Nail polish remover is efficient at getting paint off, but also anything really sticky like stickers and sap.

Follow these steps to get sap out using nail polish remover.

Step 1 – Use a paper towel or cotton ball and blot the sap with nail polish remover.

Step 2 – Once the area is thoroughly wet, let the nail polish remover sit on the area for several minutes.

Step 3 – Use a blunt object, such as a spoon or credit card, and scrape the sap off the clothing.

Step 4 – When the sap is completely off, wash it as you normally would on the hottest setting possible according to the care instructions on the tag.

Step 5 – Let your clothing air dry and check again when it is dry to make sure that the sap is completely gone.