Back in the late 60's when the tar balls would float up on the beach we would remove the oil from our feet with "suntan oil".
Just a quick squirt and rub of the "oil" on the feet will take it off.
Not suntan lotion but "suntan oil" works.
For bathing suits you can carefully apply acetone to the areas wearing gloves. Make sure you completely rinse out the suit with soap and water.
Better yet put on last years suit and you won't have to worry about it! ;-)
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beats on hood
I have spent many hours Googling this topic, and Dawn dishwashing liquid seems to be the best and least toxic alternative for removing tar. So much better than the mineral spirits we used back when we vacationed in Bermuda every year.
Although we still miss swimming with the absolutely gorgeous fish in Bermuda.
Although we still miss swimming with the absolutely gorgeous fish in Bermuda.
Beach Fanatic
I grew up on the beach in Ft. Lauderdale. My mom wouldn't allow my twin brother and me back into the house until we washed off with mineral spirits. She kept a plastic jug of it at the back door. I don't think Dawn was around back then.
Beach Fanatic
I have spent many hours Googling this topic, and Dawn dishwashing liquid seems to be the best and least toxic alternative for removing tar. So much better than the mineral spirits we used back when we vacationed in Bermuda every year.
Although we still miss swimming with the absolutely gorgeous fish in Bermuda.
The Dawn dishwashing liquid works great on the tar balls we've encountered so far. No need for kerosene, mineral spirits, or acetone on the fabric.
SoWal Expert
As I mentioned before, we used baby oil back in the day. Not sure what we used on fabrics...maybe Shout. We just had swim suits and flip flops that pretty much stayed covered with tar the entire vacation. :shock:
SWGB
I heard baby oil too, I'm just not too sure how that would work with our tile floors.
SoWal Expert
I heard baby oil too, I'm just not too sure how that would work with our tile floors.
Yikes!
Beach FanaticAuthor
I have spent many hours Googling this topic, and Dawn dishwashing liquid seems to be the best and least toxic alternative for removing tar. So much better than the mineral spirits we used back when we vacationed in Bermuda every year.
Although we still miss swimming with the absolutely gorgeous fish in Bermuda.
Try the sun tan oil most beach goers always have it in their beach bags. It's amazing.
SoWal Insider
Yeah, slippery - makes me accidentally kick off my flops. I am more surprised that there were tarballs in the 60's? In Walton Co.? WOW!
SoWal Expert
Friend who grew up in Saudi Arabia and is currently doing clean-up for BP says baby oil is the way to go.
Beach Fanatic
Yeah, slippery - makes me accidentally kick off my flops. I am more surprised that there were tarballs in the 60's? In Walton Co.? WOW!
I remember getting it all over me in the early 80's at Grayton Beach and Dune Allen. Mom always used baby oil. The stuff back then was much worse than what I saw last weekend. The stuff I saw looked and felt like brown playdoh that wasn't nearly as sticky as the black tar stuff. I guess that's from the crap they're squirting on it at the well.??
Beach FanaticAuthor
Baby oil or suntan oil............actually we use to make our own sun tan oil with baby oil and iodine. Talk about getting a power tan.
Back in the late 60's the oil would float up to the beaches from leaky tankers out in the gulf. It would happen periodically. We would just try not to step in it. It never stopped us from going to the beach.
Back in the late 60's the oil would float up to the beaches from leaky tankers out in the gulf. It would happen periodically. We would just try not to step in it. It never stopped us from going to the beach.
SoWal Expert
Baby oil or suntan oil............actually we use to make our own sun tan oil with baby oil and iodine. Talk about getting a power tan.
Back in the late 60's the oil would float up to the beaches from leaky tankers out in the gulf. It would happen periodically. We would just try not to step in it. It never stopped us from going to the beach.
We did too!! (baby oil/iodine)
Yep...we just went anyway and kept the baby oil handy.
Beach Lover
We got a few smears on our feet last week. Baby wipes worked just fine to remove it.
SWGB
We got a few smears on our feet last week. Baby wipes worked just fine to remove it.
What are they feeding baby's these days. :shock:
Beach Fanatic
Interesting to note from this thread how many folks have experienced real exposure to washed-up oil leakages, albeit minor (?), over the last 30-50 years; have Lived to tell the tale and seemingly without sprouting additional arms, legs, or tails.
I'm not trying to make light of what's going on out in our Gulf at this moment... just making an observation that survive & thrive is certainly a distinct possibility.
I'm not trying to make light of what's going on out in our Gulf at this moment... just making an observation that survive & thrive is certainly a distinct possibility.
SWGB
Interesting to note from this thread how many folks have experienced real exposure to washed-up oil leakages, albeit minor (?), over the last 30-50 years; have Lived to tell the tale and seemingly without sprouting additional arms, legs, or tails.
I'm not trying to make light of what's going on out in our Gulf at this moment... just making an observation that survive & thrive is certainly a distinct possibility.
But we want to panic now!
Beach Fanatic
But we want to panic now!
There were fewer lawyers 50 years ago and no 24 hour doom and gloom on-the-scene with breaking news reports running on a loop
Beach Fanatic
Any oil will get the tar off your feet. They have been cleaning Pelicans with soy oil before washing them with Dawn. Mineral oil is a petroleum product. Put oil of choice on a paper towel, use whatever you have in the cabinet, soy, olive, whatever, wipe feet. Then wash with soap, doesn't have to be Dawn once the oil has removed the tar. Bonus is your feet will be nice and soft.
SoWal Expert
Any oil will get the tar off your feet. They have been cleaning Pelicans with soy oil before washing them with Dawn. Mineral oil is a petroleum product. Put oil of choice on a paper towel, use whatever you have in the cabinet, soy, olive, whatever, wipe feet. Then wash with soap, doesn't have to be Dawn once the oil has removed the tar. Bonus is your feet will be nice and soft.
Just wipe off the oil before you run across a tile floor!
SWGB
Just wipe off the oil before you run across a tile floor!
It's less of a run and more of a moving split. ;-)
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