Remove Pine Tar from Fabric
Pine tar or as some people called it \’pine sap\’ is a sticky substance that normally drips from the trunks and branches of pine trees. Just like candle wax, pine tar could soaks into the fibers of most fabrics and can be very difficult to remove. Washing a pine tar stained item will only set the stain further and possibly spread it to other clothing, making it worst. The pine tar can be removed as long you treat it before washing, here\’s how to do it.
You will need:
- Lint-free cloth
- Washing Detergent
- Rubbing Cloth
Steps:
- First, soak a lint-free cloth with rubbing alcohol and work it into the pine tar stain. The alcohol should soak through the other side of the stained fabric.
- Avoid using cloth lint because the fibers of the cloth will stick to the sap and make it harder to remove. The stain should begin to break down and soften within the time.
- Then, wash the clothes with warm water and detergent. If you are applying the rubbing alcohol and the stain are still there, continue with the washing step. Wash the pine tar stained cloth separately with other clothes. Do not put any other clothes in the washer with the stained item.
- After one wash cycle ended, check the stain again. If the stain is still there, you can repeat step 1 and step 2 until it is gone.
- If you are dealing with delicate fabrics such as silk, put some rubbing alcohol in a hidden part of the fabric to test it before applying it to the stain.
- You have to be careful when using rubbing alcohol as it may stain the fabric or ruin the dye. You can wash delicate fabrics by hand using lukewarm water instead of putting them into the washing machine.
Additional Reading:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5410716_remove-pine-tar-clothing.html
Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/headsqueeze/4643051616/
