Remove Tree Sap From A Camping Tent.

How to remove tree sap from a camping tent.

If you've done much camping you've probably found a drop or two of sap on your camping tent on occasion. You've probably also noticed that rain doesn't do much to wash it off. So what works?

Here are a few suggestions on how to remove tree sap from a camping tent...

First off, the sooner you address the stain the better your chance to remove it. It's much easier to remove a fresh stain rather than one that's been sitting around since last summer.

Since tents are made from different types of materials, it's hard to say if a certain substance will cause damage or not. So I'll start with substances that are the least likely to do damage, but remember to spot test a hidden non-critical area first. If your spot test turns out bad then obviously it's a good idea not to use that substance on your shelter again. That said, I've listed the how to remove tree sap from a camping tent ideas below in order of less to more aggressive.

Use a cloth or paper towel with a little butter, vegetable oil, or even peanut butter (anybody else getting hungry... ;-) and gently rub the spot for a minute or two. Immediately follow this with soap and water to remove the oil and any residual smell. You don't want any woodland creatures sniffing or chewing on your investment. Besides, it's a bit spooky being awakened at 3 a.m. by something sniffing your camping gear. ;-)

If the suggestion above didn't work, I've heard that OFF! or Cutter mosquito repellent works well. Put it on a paper towel or a clean cloth (keep it away from heat sources) first to minimize overspray. Although they're designed to be to used on your clothing, I'd still wash it off with soap and water to protect your tent as much as possible.

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More aggressive.

If that doesn't work you might try a little rubbing alcohol, careful it's flammable, or Goop hand cleaner. Be more careful if you decide to risk using these as they may oxidize or dry the fabric especially if you leave them on for very long. Again follow this with mild soap and a rinse.

Once everything is clean and dry, you may want to reapply any water repellent you may be using to help avoid leaks.

A quick note: I'd avoid using fingernail polish remover/acetone, paint thinner, or gasoline. Even though they might remove the tree sap, they could also cause damage or weaken petroleum based hiking equipment making it more likely to tear or break later.

I hope that this article on how to remove tree sap from a camping tent helped. You can find more camping tent tips on this page.