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Ron asked, “What will clean tree sap stains off vinyl boat seats (Pecan tree)?”
The stains left by nut trees, such as pecans or walnuts, are mostly tannin stains.¹ These stains can become very difficult to remove if not treated when fresh, so always treat these stains as soon as possible.²
You Will Need:
- Vegetable glycerin¹
- An enzyme-digester²
- Isopropyl alcohol¹
- Baking soda²
Steps to Remove the Stain:
- For old or dried stains, apply liquid vegetable glycerin to the stain to freshen it. This product can be found at pharmacies or vitamin stores. Allow the glycerin to soak for several minutes, then wipe away the glycerin.
- Spray the stain with an enzyme-digester that is safe for vinyl, such as Biokleen Amazing Cleaner or Nature’s Miracle. Enzyme digesters can be found in the pet aisle of most supermarkets. Allow the enzyme-digester to air dry. The enzyme-digester will eat the organic stain until it is removed. If using an enzyme digester, be sure to use it prior to trying any other cleaners so that it will be most effective.²
- Soak the stain with isopropyl alcohol, then blot away the stain. If the boat seats are colored, consider testing this on a small, hidden area first to check for any adverse reactions.
- If any stain remains, scrub the stain with baking soda on a damp sponge until removed.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Tannin stains can sometimes be removed with a mild laundry detergent solution.² However, only use this suggestion after you have tried the enzyme-digester, because the detergent will make the enzyme-digester less effective if it is used first.
- Do not use a soap to clean the stains. Soaps that are vegetable oil or animal based can set a tannin stain.³
Sources
- Removing Spots and Stains by Ibert & Eleanor Mellan
- Green Clean by Linda Mason Hunter & Mikki Halpin
- Green Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck
Would an enzyme-digester take off sap from a cottonwood tree? What is an enzyme digester and where can I get it?
Jay,
An enzyme digester is a type of cleaning product that contains beneficial bacteria that eat up organic stains. They are usually used as cleaning products for pet stains (urine, vomit, etc.) and can be found in the pet aisle of most supermarkets or at major pet stores. Some common brands are Kids ‘N’ Pets and Nature’s Miracle. However, they will only work while wet (once the liquid dries, the bacteria die), so if the sap is thick, it may take several applications and will require you to try scrubbing off the sap as well – using the digester to loosen the sap so it can be removed. Good luck!