Things You'll Need
Mayonnaise
Cotton swab
Damp cloth
Sponge
Paper towels
Dish soap
Old toothbrush
Large bowl or bucket
1 cup distilled white vinegar
Pine resin is the sticky sap found just beneath the bark of the tree. A natural adhesive, pine resin firmly attaches itself to almost any surface and can be quite a challenge to remove. This is particularly true on sensitive surfaces, such as hardwood floors, as some of the most effective cleaning agents can damage the natural fibers of the wood. Fortunately, you can use common household items such as dish soap and vinegar to safely remove pine resin from a hardwood floor.
Step 1
Dip the end of a cotton swab into a small dish of real mayonnaise. Spread the mayo evenly over an out-of-the-way area of floor. Wait 10 minutes and wipe the area clean with a damp cloth. Rinse any remaining solvent away with a sponge soaked in warm, soapy water and then pat the floor dry with a paper towel. If no color change is apparent, the product is safe to use on your floor.
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Step 2
Spread a liberal coating of mayonnaise over the pine resin. Wait 15 to 30 minutes and then wipe the resin away with a damp cloth. Repeat the treatment if necessary.
Step 3
Squirt dish soap that has been manufactured specifically to cut grease over the resin and scrub gently with an old toothbrush until the deposit comes loose. Rinse any soap away with a damp sponge.
Step 4
Pour 2 qt. of warm water into a large bowl or bucket. Add 1 cup of distilled white vinegar and 1 tbsp. of mild liquid dish soap. Stir well, until all of the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Sponge the solution evenly over the area and scrub gently to remove any oil or sticky residue left behind by the cleaning process. Rinse with clear water and pat the floor dry with a soft towel.
Tip
When applied to pine pitch, oils and fats soften the hard resin bonds, making the sap easier to remove. If you don't have mayonnaise on hand, you can substitute other oil based products such as creamy peanut butter, olive oil, vegetable oil, bacon fat or lard. In general, small spills, can be effectively removed with solid, oil based products such as peanut butter, while larger deposits are easier to treat with liquids, such as vegetable oil. Test any remedy in a small, inconspicuous area prior to making a general application to the floor.