How to Get Sap Out of Hair

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Getting tree sap in your hair can lead to a sticky, clumped mess! If you find you or someone you know in that situation, don't panic. Generally, the sap can be removed with something oily, such as vegetable oil, mayonnaise, or peanut butter. A de-greasing soap may help, as well, or if nothing else works, try alcohol, baking soda, or even nail polish remover. Apply the product to the hair and massage it in to remove the sap.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Choosing a Product

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  1. Try vegetable oil, mayonnaise, or peanut butter. Baby oil is an option, too, particularly for thicker saps that you have a harder time getting out. [1] You can also try pine oil.
    • Find pine oil at most natural food stores, as well as natural remedy stores.
  2. For instance, you can try a bit of dishwashing detergent since it cuts down on grease. Another option is mechanic's hand degreaser, which tends to be fairly mild, but is made to cut through grease. [2]
    • You can find mechanic's hand degreaser online or at auto parts stores.
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  3. Some of the pure bar soaps, such as Ivory, will cut through the sap, so try one out if that's all you have around your house. Try one without heavy perfumes and dyes. It's simple and effective.
    • Oil-heavy soaps, like a deep conditioning treatment, can also help you break apart sap.
  4. Rubbing alcohol helps remove a lot of sticky messes, so it's a good option to try here. If you're away from home, try hand sanitizer or alcohol-based hand wipes, which might also work. [3]
    • You can even use something like vodka or other high-proof alcohols if that's what you have.
  5. Pull that baking soda out of your kitchen cabinet. Baking soda should slowly dissolve the sap, and it won't harm the hair at all.
    • Baking soda is relatively gentle. You can even use it on your hair to remove a buildup of conditioner.
  6. If nothing else is working, an acetone-based nail polish remover may work. However, make sure that you do not get this into your eyes!
    • Acetone may dry out your hair. Plus, it's more dangerous to use around your eyes.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Applying the Product

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  1. Pour or use a spoon to add a quarter-sized dollop of the product to the washcloth or your hand. For instance, you can add a spoonful of mayonnaise, degreasing soap, oil, or peanut butter to the washcloth. [4]
    • For bar soap, rub the soap into the wet rag to make it sudsy before using the rag on your hair.
    • With products like alcohol or acetone, wet the rag with the alcohol or acetone rather than with water. [5]
    • For baking soda, sprinkle it on the damp rag or the hair.
    • You may need to heat peanut butter up with a hair dryer or put it in the microwave for a few seconds. It should be almost pourable.
  2. With the washcloth or your hands, gently rub the sap-covered area with whatever product you've chosen. Use your fingers to break up clumps and massage the product into your hair.
    • For some products, like baking soda, let it sit on the area for a few minutes after you rub it in. Pine sap may work better after sitting, too.
  3. Combing the area will help remove sap clumps, as well as ensure the product is evenly distributed. Use a straight-tooth comb and pull it gently through the area. [6]
    • If you hit a stubborn clump, don't try to yank the comb through, as you could yank out hair. Instead, massage more product into the area, and try to break up the clump with your fingers through the washcloth.
  4. If the sap isn't gone, add more product to the hair and massage it again. You can try different products to see if they work better on the particular sap that's causing you trouble.
    • Avoid mixing baking soda and acetone or baking soda and alcohol.
    • Repeat the process 2-3 times as needed to get all of the sap out.
  5. Use warm water to rinse out the area. It may be best to get in the shower or bathtub for this part so you can run a lot of water through the hair.
    • Use your fingers to feel for any leftover sap.
  6. Once the sap is gone, shampoo the hair to get rid of any leftover product. Use conditioner, too, as some of the products, such as alcohol, can be drying to the hair. [7]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    I recently got into an accident while hiking and got tree sap in my armpit hair. Will these same techniques work? It is a substantial clump.
    Nate848
    Community Answer
    Yes, they will. Be careful, though! Your armpits will be more sensitive than your head!
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  • Question
    Would olive oil work?
    OMAR GHAZY
    Community Answer
    Yes, make sure the sap is completely saturated with olive oil. Apply it for 15-20 minutes. Then, wash your hair with shampoo gently.
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    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • If you have a large dried-up clump in your hair, wrap a towel around it. Use pliers to crunch it into smaller pieces before adding oil or another product. [8]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://andreadekker.com/how-to-remove-sticky-tree-sap/
      2. ↑ https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/remove-sap-from-your-horses-hair-8633
      3. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-get-tree-sap-off-hands-36699697
      4. ↑ https://andreadekker.com/how-to-remove-sticky-tree-sap/
      5. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-get-tree-sap-off-hands-36699697
      6. ↑ https://andreadekker.com/how-to-remove-sticky-tree-sap/
      7. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-get-tree-sap-off-hands-36699697
      8. ↑ https://www.hairfinder.com/hair4/pine-sap.htm

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