How to Remove Banana Sap Stains

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Last Updated: November 30, 2024

Banana sap stains are one of the most notorious stains to remove from clothing. The sticky substance latches onto cloth and requires more intensive cleaning methods than most stains. Using some easy-to-find materials and a little patience, those living in tropical or subtropical area with banana trees can remove this nasty nuisance.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Cleaning with Borax

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1
Cover the stained area with Borax. Known as sodium borate, this cleaning chemical is a powerful asset when removing stains. Its alkaline qualities help to break down harsh residue including banana sap. Borax powder is readily available at most supermarkets and cleaning stores.^{[1]
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- Measure out 1 teaspoon (8.33 g) of Borax powder and sprinkle it on the sap-stained area. Add more Borax as needed.
Put the fabric underneath running hot water, whether in your bathtub or your sink. Allow the water to saturate the Borax-coated stain, forming a borax solution over the stain. It’s not necessary to get the entire article of clothing wet.

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3
Rub the stain. Turn off the water and get the piece of clothing to a dry area. Using a clean, dry rag, gently scrub until the stain begins to disappear. You may have to scrub vigorously multiple times to ensure the stain is adequately removed.
- If the stain still remains, add another 1 tsp (8.33 g) of Borax powder, but be careful not to oversaturate the area. This could stain it further. Add more hot water and scrub again, repeating until the stain is removed.
4
Leave the item to dry. After the stain is removed, put your piece of clothing on a hanger and allow it to dry. Make sure the borax powder is completely washed out of the fabric before drying so there’s no residue remaining on the fabric.
- After the fabric is dried, the stain should be completely removed, leaving no leftover Borax powder or banana sap.

Part 2

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Using Glycerin and Bleach

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1
Break down the starch with glycerin. Glycerin is created from making soap, and it can stem from animal or vegetable sources, either of which are useful for cleaning banana sap. It is an alcohol and a natural solvent, and its enzymes work brilliantly to remove the starch from sap, a crucial step in cleaning the stain.^{[2]
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- Drug stores and pharmacies should carry bottles of glycerin oil.
Create a mixture by adding 1 part glycerin oil and 1 part warm water, stirring it in a small cup or bowl until evenly mixed. Pour the solution over the stain until it fully covers it, but don’t oversaturate the stain as it will be more difficult to clean off.
3
Remove the color with bleach. Bleach is an effective tool to get rid of color leftover from a banana sap stain, however, you need to check for colorfastness first. This term refers to the ability for fabric to retain its color with regular washing and care. Check the care tag to see if it mentions colorfastness or specifies that it can’t be washed with other colors. If it needs to be washed separately, then bleach shouldn’t be used as the fabric does not retain its color easily. ^{[3]
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- Add 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of bleach with ¹⁄₄ cup (59 mL) of water. Mix well.
- Using a cotton swab, dab this mixture onto an inside seam of the fabric. Let the solution rest for one minute.
- Use a paper towel to dry the area, and look to see if any color was removed. If the color remains the same, then bleach can be safely used on the fabric.
After testing for colorfastness, create a diluted 1:6 bleach solution where you use one part bleach and six parts water. Pour enough bleach solution to cover the stain, but be very careful not to add too much. Let it sit for a couple minutes.
Using warm water, wash the stained area until the glycerin and bleach are removed. Use a clean, dry rag to remove any excess material. Put the fabric on a hanger at let it air dry until completely dry. Check to make sure the stain is removed. If not repeat the process over again until the stain has disappeared.

Part 3

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Removing Sap with Alcohol

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This method works well for lighter banana sap stains. Check for colorfastness before using rubbing alcohol or any harsh chemicals. Pour a little bit of rubbing alcohol onto a cotton swab until it is completely saturated. Dab the stained area with the swab, ensuring every section of the stain is covered with the rubbing alcohol.
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Wash the item with detergent. Put the stained fabric into the clothing immediately after applying the rubbing alcohol. Feel free to use your normal detergent. Don’t mix any other clothing into the wash as the rubbing alcohol could spread to other pieces of clothing. Wash it with cold water as warm water can sometimes set stains in the clothing. ^{[4]
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- Make sure you use an amount of detergent that’s appropriate to your piece of clothing so it doesn’t retain a detergent smell.
Put the piece of clothing in your dryer and put it on a full, complete cycle. Put a dryer sheet with your clothing to ensure it dries while retaining freshness.

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How do you remove sap from clothing?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Borax is a great solution to sap stains! First, apply 1 teaspoon of Borax onto the stain and then run it under warm water and rub the stain vigorously until the sap is removed. Finally, launder the item as normal.

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How do you remove stubborn stains?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Vinegar and baking soda are an awesome go-to when it comes to stubborn stains. First, saturate the stained area with vinegar, then rub a baking soda paste into the stain. You can then let the item soak in a bucket of water with a couple tablespoons of laundry detergent overnight. In the morning, you can rinse and wash the garment.

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How do you remove plant stains from clothes?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

First, soak your stained clothing items in cold water. You can then use an enzyme pre-wash stain remover, Borax, or a stain remover meant for removing grass stains. Let the product of choice soak into your stained areas for about a half hour before laundering them. Always make sure to check the stain before putting your clothing item into a dryer, as the heat can set the stain. If your stain isn't removed after coming out of the wash, attempt to treat the stain again.

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Read the fabric instructions on clothing items before using this method; some fabrics cannot tolerate hot water or, alternatively, the Borax might react poorly with the fabric.

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