Tree Sap Removal from Carpet

Holiday celebrations and indoor winter gatherings with family and friends are warm and beautiful, but they may leave you with not-so-beautiful spots on your carpet. Because many people bring firewood or Christmas trees into their homes, one common question we get this time of year is how to remove tree sap from carpet. Tree sap is challenging to remove, but with patience, time, effort, and a little rubbing alcohol, it’s possible. Here’s how:

1. Test an inconspicuous area first, because it is possible (although not likely) that rubbing alcohol may change the carpet color.
2. Remove any semi-solid material with a spoon.
3. Moisten a clean, white absorbent material, such as terrycloth, with rubbing alcohol.
4. Gently blot (don’t rub) the sap. The alcohol will change the consistency of the sap, making it easier to remove.
5. Use a dry section of the cloth to remove any loosened sap. You can also use your fingers to gently pick the tiny, dried pieces of sap from the carpet fibers.
6. Repeat this process until the sap is completely removed.
7. For especially stubborn sap spots, let the area dry, return to step 2, and repeat the process as often as necessary until the spot is removed.

Tree sap, or almost any spot, from bright-colored gooey candies and cranberry sauce to wine and gravy, can be removed from your carpet, if you attend to it quickly and properly. For more information about spot removal, refer to our free, downloadable Carpet and Textiles Care Guide. Of course, you are always welcome to contact us for a thorough post-holiday cleaning (including spot removal) of your carpets.

This is one of a series of articles written and published  on behalf of Stone and Tile PRO Partners.