How to Remove Tree Sap from Glass Windows

Tree sap is impossible to remove from glass windows with water and paper towels. Even window cleaner will only smear it around – if it budges at all. I recently had to remove tree sap from two of the big glass windows at my vacation home, and I found a few products that worked incredibly well. Try one of these ways to remove tree sap from your window glass, and make easy work of a difficult job.

Precautionary Statement

Use caution when trying to remove tree sap from glass windows with rubbing alcohol and nail polish remover. They can damage the surrounding paint, stain and varnish. As an added measure of protection, firmly line windows with painter’s tape, and avoid over soaking the toweling while staying away from the edges.

Try Rubbing Alcohol

When looking for ways to remove tree sap from glass windows, try rubbing alcohol first. When I had to find a way to remove a large amount of tree sap from my windows, rubbing alcohol quickly dissolved it. I went over it with clean paper towels that were saturated in rubbing alcohol. To remove the last of the smears, I went over them again. The windows were crystal clear, and I did not have to scrape or scrub.

Use Nail Polish Remover

If you do not have rubbing alcohol on hand, use nail polish remover. The acetone will break down the tree sap and make it easy to remove. Apply it to paper towels, and go over the glass windows to remove most of the sap. Use clean paper towels and additional nail polish remover to remove the rest. Wash the windows as usual for a sparkling clean finish.

Buy Goo Gone Cleaner

Goo Gone is a product that will also work to remove tree sap from glass. It is an oily product with a lemony scent, and it breaks down sticky adhesive and other tacking substances. Apply it according to product label directions, and wipe away the tree sap with paper towels. Follow up with your usual window cleaner. It might take an extra application of window cleaner to completely get rid of the Goo Gone, but the glass windows will be free from sap and grime.

Source: Personal and Professional Cleaning Experience