It happened when we were at Davy’s baseball game. I sat romantically under a tree; a pine tree. Yes, I love trees and sitting under them, especially with books and magazines, while watching a favorite boy play baseball.
However, I did not count the cost as I sat under the beautiful tree. After a while, I got up to stretch my legs, and alas, as I brushed myself off I discovered horrid little blobs of pine pitch on the seat of my all-time favorite jeans.
“Rich, can you notice anything?”
“Um. Yes.” He turned quickly away, back to the game. And he usually looks longer.
I tied my sweatshirt around my waist for the rest of the game.
When I got home, I slipped off my jeans and gazed regretfully at the damage. This would never, never do. Would it come out? I wondered.
I threw them into the washer posthaste. After they washed and dried, I looked: the pitch was still there. (gasp)
I determined to fix this cleaning dilemma ASAP. So, I did a little research (the internet is an amazing thing sometimes).
What I discovered: You absolutely CAN remove sticky pine pitch from fabric, using rubbing alcohol. I’m here to tell you, it’s true.
Using my fingernail, I first scratched as much of the pine pitch off my jeans as I could. Then, I took a paper towel, dipped it into the rubbing alcohol (contained within a handy fiesta creamer…..) and started scrubbing. Friends, I cannot describe my excitement when I realized it was coming completely off my favorite jeans.
I washed them and dried them and they were as good as new.
If you should ever have a pine pitch clothing disaster, do not fear. Just grab the nearest bottle of rubbing alcohol and rub away!
Of course, it is also wise to look before you sit, if at all possible, and stay out of pine trees. Like Grandma (that wisest lady) said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.
Happy Monday, from your humble, handy household expert. 
Good to be Home 
This made me laugh. You can still sit under pine trees. Just take along an old towel to sit on. Humble, handy househole expert. Hehe.
@ata_grandma – Yes, indeed! Another piece of wise advice, obviously from a grandmotherly sort. Glad to make you laugh. 🙂
Thanks for the tip! I grew up in a yard full of pine trees and no matter how much I got on me, my mom always returned my clothes clean and free of sap! Guess I just never really considered HOW she managed that. lol Now I know!Luckily (or not so luckily?), our house is surrounded by oaks and a huge, lovely hickory tree. Though pine trees shed all those billions of needles year round and aren’t as stable as oaks, they didn’t seem as big a chore as all these oaks and hickory!!! My husband DREADS autumn now, lol.
A post that makes me smile inside and out! Thanks!
Hmmm….sorta think I should get a pair of “lucky jeans”. Getting pine pitch off a car is a whole nuther story!!
@srheam – How did you get it off your car? I’m curious. 🙂
i had some on my hand the other day, and couldn’t for the life of me get it off.now i’ll know what to use.any good tips on GRASS stains??every single pair of ben’s pants has them.he wore shorts to church yesterday! 🙂
hi shanda…….only you would put the rubbing alcohol in a fiesta creamer (insert smile). it’s so YOU! oh, shanda, i’m so glad i know you and read your lovely blog!!
@purpleamethyst76 – My husband used goo-gone….I think. I know I didn’t want to “pick” it off, I was afraid I’d chip the paint off too. I try to park away from pine trees!! They are soooo messy.
You are so “Lucky!” 😉 Lucky is one of my favorite brands.What a Great tip!!! Thanks. Happy Monday to you.
This post made me chuckle several times…I love the way your write! 🙂 I remember that tip for next time…My husband already ruined a really nice fleece shirt last year covered in pine pitch!
@dougzwife – I’m glad you got it removed… There is nothing like ruining a favorite pair of jeans!! Your comment on rich usually looking a little longer made me smile:)
@dougzwife – sorry that was meant for shanda