Ask Angie/Fabbers: Getting pine sap out of a skirt? - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie/Fabbers: Getting pine sap out of a skirt?

Ket

Veteran

We were at the park last week. While sitting there watching my son, I noticed a large drop of honey-looking liquid on my rayon jersey skirt. Went to dab it away only to discover it was pine sap.

I've been googling for ideas. The directions are to freeze it and scrape off as much hardened sap as possible. However, there isn't enough to scrape off, frozen or otherwise after I dabbed it off. It's just a small spot, like a drop of glue or honey that soaked into the fabric.

I know oil dissolves pine sap, but I don't want to try getting a secondary oil spot out of the fabric.

Thoughts? I'm likely just going to pre-treat with Dawn dishwashing detergent and try washing just the spot in warm water before laundering it and air drying as usual. But I want to know what you all think!

Thank you, my Fab friends!

General

18 replies

Latest reply was from Ket

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'd ask ChatGPT your question about the too small spot to freeze. See what they say.

Good luck. Let us know it goes!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oooooh, this is a really good question. To which, alas, I have no immediate answer. I hope someone does!

JAileen

Veteran

I got pine pitch on a jacket, had it dry cleaned, and it came out. That’s not to say that would work on your skirt.

Joyce B

Veteran

There is a Carbona stain devil number 7 that they say removes sap, motor oil, etc. I have not tried it on clothes but Carbona products have never disappointed me.
I have a good system for removing sap from cars, but thankfully that is not what you need.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.

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Jenni NZ

Veteran

No idea sorry Ket. I have never even heard of pine sap

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well, Jenni, in certain circles, many decades ago, pine sap was used by children (including my mother) as a kind of chewing gum.

It's the elixir of life flowing through the tree as it grows and drops of it can appear all year round but especially if the tree is growing actively or has just been pruned.

But it leaks in greater abundance from pine (and fir) trees, especially when they are stressed or damaged. Sap has antibacterial properties which protect the tree from further damage/ infection.

greycat6

Veteran

I have had success removing pine sap with acetone (finger nail polish remover). The fabric was not damaged. I’ve used this technique on denim, Lulu leggings, fabric cushions on outdoor furniture and tablecloths. We have a LOT of pine trees on our property!

bella

(website)

Veteran

Oh Joyce, I am interested in your tips for removing sap from cars. Our apartment complex has a lot of pine trees and the car sometimes needs to be parked under them.

Carol

(website)

Veteran

So...just my thoughts. If you are not too precious with the skirt, you can try boiling it in water several times, or at least pouring boiling water on the spot. I believe this melts the sap, which you could then rinse out in warm water. It might take several times.

nevermind, I just googled that exact method, and it said no!

Indigoprint

Veteran

A hand cleaner called Goop should work. I have used it before with success and safe for the fabric I had.

cherylm

Use hand sanitizer - the alcohol will loosen the sap. I use it to get sap off my dogs.

sarah

Veteran

Agree about trying hand sanitizer or just straight-up rubbing alcohol (the active ingredient in hand sanitizer). That's how I've removed pine sap from my windshield! Good luck.

Ket

Veteran

Oh, Fabbers! Thank you!!! I so appreciate your help.

Sounds like acetone, rubbing alcohol, Goop, and Carbona are all great options! I will give these a go, one by one, and see what works. I'll try to report back soon.

Sisi

Veteran

I once put a sheet of absorbing paper on the stain and then passed the hot iron on it. The heat melts the sap and the paper absorbs it.

Lisa

Veteran

I have no additional suggestions but good luck!

Cookie

Veteran

I’m in Maine right now visiting a friend and she just mentioned that there was a blob of pine sap on her windshield and that isopropyl alcohol would take it right off. I have no idea if that works on fabric, but for others who get it on their cars!

Kate

Veteran

I heartily second Carbona Stain Devils. I have the whole range of them—I'm a messy person—and like Joyce said, they've never failed me yet.

Ket

Veteran

Reporting back! So far, acetone based nail polish remover has worked!! I have to retreat it to get an into amount of residue out, but it's all coming out. So far, no damage to the fabric either!

Thank you all for your suggestions!

Kate, I'm keeping Carbona Stain Devils in mind for other stains