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Thread: Cleaning tarps

  1. #1
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    Cleaning tarps

    How do you go about cleaning tarps? On a recent campout, the trees my wife and I were set up under decided to drip sap on our tarps. Now both have sticky spots all over the top. Should I just try to soak both tarps in a bucket with some detergent?

  2. #2
    PopcornFool's Avatar
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    Whatever secondary approach you take, your first step should be to remove as much of the sap as possible first. With fabric, the more the sap has hardened, usually the easier it is to scrape off. If you have a large enough freezer, try freezing the tarp overnight to harden the sap. Then while it's still cold, gently scrape off the sap with a dull flat tool like a car windshield ice scraper, a plastic putty knife, or a credit card. Be careful not to press too hard so that you don't inadvertently tear the fabric.

    Your second step is to use something to separate whatever remains from the tarp. I'm sure you've already found dozens of different suggestions, ranging from olive oil to WD40. Be careful though, because many of these home remedies may actually work to remove the remaining sap, but may also damage your tarp.

    For the final step, once you know the sap is all removed, you may want to wash your tarp with a technical wash specifically designed for waterproof fabrics. Nikwax is a popular brand. I recommend that you DO NOT do this in a washing machine. Best bet is probably your bathtub.

    There are several other threads here on the forum with related info. Here are just a few examples:

    https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ee-Sap-Removal
    https://hammockforums.net/forum/show...OVING-TREE-SAP
    https://hammockforums.net/forum/show...rp-(if-you-do)

    Good luck!
    ~ All I want is affordable, simple, ultralight luxury. That’s not asking too much is it?

  3. #3
    Member Of Wolf and Man's Avatar
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    Very useful info. I have sap on one of my tents and I’m thinking this info will apply as well.

  4. #4
    PopcornFool's Avatar
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    I'm sure it will, Wolf Man. I actually learned the "freeze it first" tip during my tent days under the North Carolina pines. It's been decades since I've lived in the Tar Heel State, so my recent experience is limited. At that time, my second step was Palmolive dish washing detergent. But I suspect others may have found better solutions since then, which is why I didn't volunteer a more definitive proposal for the second step.
    ~ All I want is affordable, simple, ultralight luxury. That’s not asking too much is it?

  5. #5
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    I have used Pine Sol to remove sap from other materials with ease so I would try that on a small spot on your tarp to test. After that follow Popcornfool's advice on cleaning. Good luck and let us know how you make out.
    Some days I can't tell whether I found a rope or lost a horse...

  6. #6
    Senior Member Bubba's Avatar
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    I’ve used GooGone on my tree straps with success but have not tried it on silnylon. It’s apparently safe for fabrics according to the manufacturer.
    Don't let life get in the way of living.

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