How to Clean Oak Sap Off Vinyl Decking

Oh, isn't it lovely to have a yard full of tall, stately oak trees? Until you end up with a deck covered in their sap. Oak sap can leave a sticky mess on your vinyl decking that could have you wondering how you're ever going to get rid of it. Luckily, it is not especially difficult to do as long as you use the appropriate supplies and have a little bit of patience.

Things You'll Need

• 2-gallon bucket Large spoon or dowel Cotton rags Soft-bristled scrub brush Dilutable kitchen cleaner Citrus cleaner (optional) Razor blade (optional)

Instructions

1. Fill your bucket halfway with lukewarm water. Add half a cup of dilutable kitchen cleaner and stir the mixture with a spoon or dowel. Dip your rag into the solution and wring it out thoroughly. Then scrub the sap on the deck boards, using an up-and-down motion.

2. Check your progress as you scrub to see if the sap is coming off. If there are stubborn spots that don't seem to budge, switch from the rag to a soft-bristled scrub brush. If all of the sap comes off at this point, skip to Step 4. If not, try the solutions in Step 3.

3. Pour 1/2 tsp. of citrus cleaner, such as Goo Gone or Orange Clean, directly onto the decking in the trouble spots. Then scrub it with the brush as before. If this still doesn't work, let the cleaner set for 15 minutes, wet your brush and then try scrubbing it again. Note that the cleaner could fade the coloring of the vinyl, so try it in an inconspicuous area of the deck first.

4. Rinse the deck thoroughly with lukewarm water. (Use the garden hose or fill and refill the bucket.) Then let it air dry.

5. Check for sap at least once a week during the spring and summer. It is much easier to remove if it hasn't been sitting for an extended period of time.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have any sap that just will not come off, even after you try the techniques in Step 3, scrape it off with a razor blade. Just be aware that this will probably scratch the vinyl underneath and you will have to repaint it. Always use biodegradable cleaners, since everything you rinse off will wind up in your yard.

• Never try to heat up the oak sap to melt it and wipe it off. This technique will get rid of the sap, but it could also melt your deck. Don't try to pick the sap off with your fingernails. It won't work, and it's bad for your nails.