How to Remove Sticky Plant Residue from Your Hands

Hands can remain sticky long after coming in contact with plant sap, even if you repeatedly wash them with soap. However, you can quickly have your hands sap-free by selecting one of the steps below.

• Butter
• Oil, such as baby oil or cooking oil
• Baking soda
• Rubbing alcohol

1. Get a heaping spoonful of butter and rub it over your hands as you would lotion. Wipe off the butter with a paper towel and wash your hands as usual.¹ Margarine can also work in place of butter.²
2. Coat your hands with oil, such as baby oil or cooking oil, and allow the oil to soak for several minutes.³ Wipe off the excess oil and wash your hands with dish soap.
3. Moisten your hands with water, then scrub with baking soda. Rinse and repeat until all the sap is removed.⁴
4. Soak a cloth with rubbing alcohol. The alcohol will dissolve the plant resin.⁵ Use the cloth to scrub your hands until the sticky residue is removed.

• If you don’t have any butter or oil, peanut butter might work.³
• One site user recommends rubbing ice over the sticky residue. (Thanks for sharing!)

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