Resin is a substance that can be very annoying. A drop is enough to find yourself scrubbing your skin for hours with soap and water trying to remove that sticky mass. Fortunately, there are several effective techniques to eliminate it and just use a few simple ingredients that you most likely already have at home. Read on to find out how to proceed.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use Hand Sanitizer
Step 1. Check the ingredient list on the label to find out if the disinfectant is alcohol based
Take the bottle of hand sanitizer and check the composition on the back of the label. Make sure it contains at least 60% ethanol, isopropyl or n-propyl alcohol.
Disinfectants with a different composition do not work because it is the alcohol that dissolves the resin
Step 2. Rub hand sanitizer to remove resin
Take the bottle and pour a small amount of product into the palms of your hands, then rub them vigorously against each other. If the backs of your hands are also smeared with resin, be sure to rub them back and forth.
- You can use this method even if you have resin on your body, for example on your feet or arms. Just be careful to avoid any cuts and sensitive areas of the body, as you may feel a burning sensation.
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizers dry your skin a lot, so be careful where it is chapped or sensitive.
Step 3. Clean garden tools with disinfectant if they are sticky from resin
If you have cut or pruned a tree and now your tools are soiled with resin, pour a couple of doses of disinfectant on a sheet of all-purpose paper and rub it on the stains.
Resin can damage garden tool blades. Also, be careful because if you don't clean the shears immediately, you may not be able to open them in the future
Method 2 of 3: Remove Resin with Commonly Used Products
Step 1. Use cooking oil or fat, such as seed oil, olive oil, or margarine
Smear some oil on your hands and rub it on the resin stains for 30-60 seconds. When finished, wash your hands with hot water and some dish soap to remove any remaining residue.
If there is a lot of resin, pour some baking soda on it and then rub it with oil to dissolve it
Step 2. Use peanut butter
The oils contained in peanut butter make it an excellent remedy for both removing a chewing gum from the hair and for removing the resin from the hands. Smear it where the skin is stained and then massage it. The resin will come off slowly and just wash your hands with hot water and soap to make them clean again.
If you don't have peanut butter, you can try using mayonnaise in the exact same way
Step 3. Use toothpaste
Spread a generous amount on the resin stains and then rub your hands gently. Thanks to the abrasive ingredients in the toothpaste you should be able to get rid of the resin within a couple of minutes. Rinse your hands with warm water and soap to get the job done.
Step 4. Try using disinfectant alcohol or nail polish remover on larger resin stains
Both tend to dry out the skin, but are incredibly effective. Pour some on a rag or sponge and scrub the skin gently. Give the product time to act before trying to peel the resin off the skin. Finally, wash your hands with soap and water.
If you are away from home, you can try to remove the resin with disposable disinfectant wipes
Step 5. Try using a few drops of WD40
Pour a small amount of degreaser on your hands and rub it into your skin like you do with liquid soap. After a few seconds the resin should begin to dissolve. Wash your hands immediately with warm water and soap.
Step 6. Prepare a cleaning solution to soak your hands in
Use warm water, salt, and honey to remove the resin without damaging the skin. Fill a large bowl about 2/3 full with hot water, add 2 tablespoons of salt and a little honey to soften the skin. Stir and then soak your hands for 3-5 minutes, rubbing them occasionally. Let them air dry and then wash them with soap and water to remove any remaining resin residue.
Step 7. If you are in the middle of a forest, rub some dirt on your hands
Do not wait for the resin to dry on the skin, try to eliminate it immediately. Keep scrubbing until the earth dries up and starts peeling off the skin. Once back home, wash your hands with soap and water to remove any remaining resin residue.
Method 3 of 3: Remove Resin from Clothes, Floors and Carpets
Step 1. Note that it is essential to test the cleaning solution on a small portion of the surface to be cleaned before proceeding
Do not spray or rub WD40 directly on stains. Make sure that the selected product, whatever it is, does not damage the fabric or the surface to be cleaned by testing it on an inconspicuous area. Pour a drop of product in a hidden spot and start rubbing. Allow 20 minutes to pass, then examine the surface to make sure it hasn't warped or discolored.
Step 2. Use isopropyl alcohol to remove resin from fabrics
Dip a cotton ball in isopropyl alcohol (possibly 90%) and rub it into the resin in circular motions. This method is suitable for removing resin from curtains, clothing and carpets. Try to remove all resin before washing the fabric with water, otherwise it may harden and the stain may become permanent.
Step 3. Try using mineral oil to remove resin from hard surfaces without risking damaging them
Mineral oil works fast, but needs to be rubbed into stains. With this method you can clean the car, floors and any other hard surface without risking damaging it.
Step 4. Use a spray insecticide
It is an anomalous remedy, but very effective. A couple of sprays of a powerful insecticide can be enough to remove the resin from fabrics, floors and the car roof. Apply the product on the surface to be cleaned, let it act for a few minutes then rub and remove it with a rag.
Advice
- If you have resin in your hair, you can try removing it with cooking oil or disinfectant alcohol. Hydrate them with conditioner to prevent knots from forming.
- Resin may seem like a harmless substance, but it can actually cause a lot of damage, especially if you touch your clothes or house surfaces with dirty hands.
- Try to intervene in a timely manner before the resin dries, to be able to remove it more easily.
