1. **Freeze Method**: Place the clothing item in a plastic bag and seal it. Put the bag in the freezer for a few hours or until the sap hardens. Once the sap is frozen, use a blunt object like a butter knife to gently scrape off as much of the hardened sap as possible. Be careful not to damage the fabric. You can also use a piece of duct tape to lift off the frozen sap.
2. **Rubbing Alcohol**: Dampen a clean cloth with rubbing alcohol and blot the sap stain. Rubbing alcohol can help break down the sap and loosen its grip on the fabric. Once you've treated the stain, wash the clothing item as usual.
3. **Lemon Juice**: Apply lemon juice directly to the sap stain and let it sit for a few minutes. The acidic nature of lemon juice can help dissolve the sap. After allowing the lemon juice to work its magic, launder the clothing item as usual.
4. **Oil-Based Products**: Apply an oil-based product like cooking oil, mayonnaise, or peanut butter to the sap stain. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to help loosen the sap. Then, gently rub the stained area with a clean cloth to lift off the sap. Launder the clothing item afterward.
5. **Commercial Stain Removers**: You can also try using a commercial stain remover or pre-treatment product specifically designed to tackle sticky residues like sap. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for best results.
6. **Hot Water Wash**: After treating the sap stain with your chosen method, launder the clothing item in the hottest water temperature recommended for the fabric. Check the care label on the garment for washing instructions.
It may take some trial and error to find the best method for removing sap from your clothes, depending on the fabric type and the severity of the stain. If the sap stain persists after attempting these methods, consider seeking professional dry cleaning services for stubborn stains or delicate fabrics.