Xmas tree dripped sap onto carpet...HELP!!

troll35

Hope someone has some suggestions. Our Xmas tree has been dripping a small amount of sap from the end of one of the branches. This has left a small area of carpet very sticky. I've tried stardrops and another commercial carpet cleaner but it hasn't removed it. As time goes on I would imagine the patch will get more noticeable as 'muck' sticks to it and turns it black:eek: The carpet is an 80:20 wool mix in a pale green. I don't know if it's safe to use other solvents on the sap and I'm reluctant to experiment because once the tree is down the area will be very visible (no chance of covering it with furniture).

All suggestions gratefully received...thanks

stamford

troll35 wrote: »

All suggestions gratefully received...thanks

Get prepared for next Christmas and save money buy an artificial tree in the sales

Jayar

Try the advice here
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_remove_tree_sap_from_a_carpet
good luck!

jennyjelly

Eucalyptus oil might work, as it gets tar off carpets perfectly. I'd try it on a hidden patch first though, it has never harmed my carpets but better safe than sorry. Hope you sort it!

troll35

Thanks jayar that looks good. Would you say that surgical spirits is similar to denatured alcohol because I've got a bottle of that in the cupboard.
If that doesn't work I'll go and buy some eucalyptus oil.....used all that I had on my pillows when I had a stonking cold just before Christmas

....I knew there would be one ....you got in there quick Stamford...no flies on you today!!;)

jonesMUFCforever

stamford wrote: »

Get prepared for next Christmas and save money buy an artificial tree in the sales

What a moronic bit of advice there.

noonesperfect

Hope this helps:-

To remove pine resin from carpeting, use a white towel to sponge a few drops of non-flammable, dry cleaning fluid into the stain. Continue to blot the stain until the towel no longer can pick up sap residue. If the dry cleaning fluid doesn't work, try amylacetate, using the same removal method. An alternative to these two products is a solution of one-fourth teaspoon of mild dishwashing detergent and one cup of lukewarm water. Using a white cloth, apply a small amount of this solution to the stain and blot. Rinse by blotting with cold water until the detergent residue is completely removed; then, blot with a dry towel to dry the area.
Never use a laundry detergent to try to remove the resin because the product might contain optical brighteners-bleaching agents that could damage the color.
If your home stain removal techniques don't work, it might be necessary to consult a professional carpet cleaner.

troll35

Thought I'd let you know that surgical spirits worked really well. It got the sap off the carpet without affecting the colour.

Thanks again everyone

Jayar

Yay, thanks for letting us know the great outcome.

Olliebeak

Congratulations, troll35 - another remedy tried and tested.