How to Get Tree Sap Off Skin and Hair

Getting tree sap on your skin or hair can affect it in different ways, depending on the composition of the sap. Some tree saps, such as pine sap, are sticky and difficult to remove. Other tree saps, such as birch sap, are rich in minerals and nutrients that can have positive health benefits (Source: Zaguła, 2017). 

It’s important to note that different people may react differently to different types of tree sap. If you experience any irritation or discomfort after coming into contact with tree sap of any sort, it’s best to remove the tree sap as soon as possible using our methods below.

What is Tree Sap?

Tree sap in its simplest form is basically tree blood. It is composed of two separate substances that are usually known as ‘sap’. These are xylem and phloem. Xylem is responsible for transporting water, minerals, and hormones from the bottom to the top of the tree, and each year the xylem dies off, and new ones are produced. 

Fun fact – the old xylem channels cause the rings of a tree when it is felled, which shows just how many years old a tree was before it was felled! Phloem is the sweet sugary stuff that we can come into contact with and transports the sugars created during photosynthesis which gets fed into trees during their growth period (Source: The Tree Center).

How to Get Tree Sap Off Skin

Whether you’ve been out pruning trees or your kids (or you!) have been climbing them, you’ll know just how annoying it is when tree sap gets on your skin! It is one of those sticky substances that you can feel like you spend hours scrubbing off with soap and water to no avail. 

Don’t let it ‘sap’ the fun out of your outdoor adventures. Here are some common products you may have lying around the house that might do the trick when you get in a sticky situation.

Hand Sanitizer or Alcohol

Step 1: Grab some hand sanitizer or alcohol

If you are using hand sanitizer, check that there is a minimum of 60% alcohol content. This is important because alcohol helps to dissolve the sap. Non-alcohol-based hand sanitizers will not work to remove sap.

Step 2: Apply generously across the affected areas 

Apply the hand sanitizer or alcohol to the affected areas. A small amount will do. 

Step 3: Wipe the hand sanitizer or alcohol away  

Using a paper towel or a clean cloth, gently wipe it away. Repeat as necessary. 

Cooking Oil and Sugar Scrub

Step 1: Gather your ingredients

Get some cooking oil, such as olive oil and sugar scrub, and mix equal parts to make a paste.

Step 2: Apply the paste

Apply the paste to the affected areas, rubbing it into your skin in circular motions for a few minutes.

Step 3: Rinse and repeat

Wash the area with soap and water to remove any leftover residue. Repeat the process where necessary.

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Check. Peanut butter is a great accompaniment for all things sticky. It has even been used to help remove gum from hair! It is therefore no surprise that it can help at removing tree sap from your hands. 

Step 1: Apply peanut butter liberally 

Apply the peanut butter onto the affected area, and massage it lightly into your skin.

Step 2: Wash it away

Wash the peanut butter away with soap and water. Repeat steps 1 and 2 where necessary. 

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise has many uses around the home, from cooking to removing water stains and in this case, removing tree sap from skin!. 

Step 1: Apply the product

A small amount of mayonnaise goes a long way. Apply a splodge of mayonnaise to the affected areas and rub it in using circular motions. 

Step 2: Rinse and repeat

Rinse the mayonnaise off, along with the tree sap, and repeat where necessary. 

Toothpaste

The abrasives and cleaning properties of toothpaste can help to break down sticky tree sap. 

Step 1: Apply the product 

Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste onto the affected areas.

Step 2: Rub it in

Rub the toothpaste into the sap gently with your fingers. Allow the toothpaste to sit on the sap for a couple of minutes.

Step 3: Wipe it away 

Wipe away the toothpaste and any remaining residue using a clean cloth or paper towel. 

Step 4: Wash 

Using warm soapy water, wash the affected area and dry it with a clean towel. Repeat steps 1 to 4 where necessary. 

Related: How to Clean the Bottom of Shoes

WD-40

While I don’t suggest buying WD-40 specifically for removing tree sap (as it is a petroleum-based product), it’s something that many people already own and use elsewhere in the home. If you happen to have some accessible to you, it can work a treat at removing tree sap from skin, particularly hardened pine tree sap. Please follow these instructions with caution as WD-40 can dry and irritate skin. 

Step 1: Apply the product

Squirt a small amount of WD-40 onto the affected areas. 

Step 2: Rub it in 

Rub the WD-40 onto your skin using circular motions to loosen the hardened sap.

Step 3: Wash away immediately 

Once you have removed as much sap as possible, wash your hands thoroughly using soap and water. 

Dirt

If you are still out in the wilderness and there is no opportunity to use any of the above methods, you can make the clean-up job easier by using dirt! Sounds ironic, doesn’t it? 

Step 1: Grab a little dirt

Rub a little soil immediately onto the affected area while it is fresh to prevent it from hardening and sticking too hard to your skin. This will make it easier to remove using soap and water when you have access to it. 

Step 2: Wash away with soap and water

When you have access to soap and water again, wash away the dirt and the tree sap should go along with it. 

Nail Polish Remover 

If you happen to have nail polish remover on hand (pun intended) you can use this to remove tree sap.

Step 1: Apply the product

Apply the nail polish remover onto the affected areas using a cotton ball. Be careful not to get it onto your nails if you’ve just painted them!

Step 2: Wash 

Wash away the tree sap and nail polish remover using soap and water. Repeat steps 1 and 2 where necessary. 

Related: The Natural Manicure – A Toxin Free No Polish Manicure

How to Get Sap Out of Hair

Getting tree sap out of hair can be particularly challenging. Here are some more methods that may help you get tree sap out of your hair. It’s important to note that these methods can be harsh on hair, so you may need to follow up with a deep conditioning treatment to restore the hair’s natural moisture and shine.

Alcohol

Step 1: Soak a cotton ball or pad in some rubbing alcohol 

Allow the cotton ball or pad to soak up the alcohol.

Step 2: Dab the cotton ball or pad into your hair 

Dab the alcohol gently onto the affected area, ensuring it becomes completely saturated. 

Step 3: Rub the tree sap out of your hair 

Using your fingers or a comb, gently work the sap out of the hair, agitating it slightly to get the tree sap out. 

Step 4: Wash hair 

Rinse the hair with warm water to remove the alcohol. Massage the affected areas using shampoo to help remove the sap and alcohol.

Step 5: Restore moisture 

After shampooing, apply conditioner to the hair to help restore its moisture. 

Cooking Oil

Step 1: Apply oil to the affected hair

Squeeze a generous amount of cooking oil, such as olive oil, into the hair, focusing on areas coated in tree sap.

Step 2: Work the oil into the hair

Work the oil into the hair and the sap using your fingers.

Step 3: Let it sit 

Cover the hair with a loose shower cap and let the oil sit for 15 to 20 minutes to help loosen the sap from the hair. 

Step 4: Wash hair 

Rinse the hair with warm water and massage some clarifying shampoo into the affected areas to help remove the sap and oil. 

Step 5: Restore moisture 

After shampooing, apply conditioner to the hair to help restore its moisture. 

Peanut Butter

As we mentioned before, peanut butter is an excellent companion to all things sticky and has even been used to remove gum from hair! It makes sense it can be used to remove tree sap from hair. 

Step 1: Apply peanut butter to the hair 

Get a tablespoon of peanut butter, and using your fingers, rub it into the affected areas. 

Step 2: Let it sit

Let the peanut butter sit on the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes to help loosen the sap. 

Step 3: Comb it out

Using a comb, brush the peanut butter through the affected areas to gently remove the sap and peanut butter from the hair.

RELATED: How to Clean a Comb and Hair Brush in Less Than 5 Minutes. 

Step 4: Wash hair 

Rinse the hair with warm water and massage some shampoo into the affected areas to help remove the sap and peanut butter. 

Step 5: Restore moisture 

After shampooing, apply conditioner to the hair to help restore its moisture. 

Mayonnaise

Step 1: Apply mayonnaise onto the hair

Squirt the mayonnaise onto the hair. A tablespoon of mayonnaise should be enough, but you may want to apply more. 

Step 2: Work the mayonnaise into the hair

Using your fingers, apply a tablespoon of mayonnaise onto the affected areas, ensuring it is evenly distributed.

Step 3: Let it Sit 

Cover the hair with a loose shower cap and let the mayonnaise sit for 15 to 20 minutes to help loosen the sap.

Step 4: Wash hair

Rinse the hair with warm water and shampoo the hair as usual, massaging the affected areas to remove any residual tree sap and mayonnaise.

Step 5: Restore moisture 

After shampooing, apply conditioner to the hair to help restore its moisture. 

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