How to Remove Pine Tree Tar from Clothes

Pine tree tar is a natural sealant used for fixing roofs and sealing wood. Because this substance is so sticky, you can find yourself covered in tar at the end of the working day. It's best to remove the tar from your clothing as soon as possible. Getting out pine tar before it has time to set increases the likelihood that you will prevent stains.

Things You'll Need

• Nail polish remover
• Rag
• Peanut butter
• Shampoo
• Bug repellent
• Washing machine
• Detergent
• Rubbing alcohol
• Dryer
• WD-40

Instructions

1. Remove any tar from your skin with a rag dipped in nail polish remover. Scrub the tar off your skin, then wash off the nail polish remover with a wet sponge and soap. Dry off the areas with a towel.

2. Get pine tar out of your hair by jumping in the shower and rubbing peanut butter on your hair. After you have removed the tar, follow up by shampooing your hair.

3. Spray your clothes with bug repellent to remove the tar stains. Use a white rag to dab at the stains and lift the tar. When you have removed as much of the tar as you can, throw the clothes into the washing machine.

4. Set the washing machine to warm and use 2 tsp. of detergent. Inspect the clothes for tar stains after the wash cycle is complete. If there are stains, apply rubbing alcohol and dab with a white towel. Rewash the garment.

5. Dry the clothing at a setting that is appropriate for the article of clothing. For instance, dry delicate fabric in a dryer at a delicate setting.

Tips & Warnings

• Break down any pine tar that gets on your car with WD-40 and a rag.

• Avoid using a colored towel when removing tar, because the dye from the fabric will spread on the clothing.

References

• Gardening Know How: How to Remove Tree Sap