Slime is a good sensory toy that keeps your kids entertained without the need for screen time. It’s goopy and it’s fun to play with, which is why children are obsessed with it. However, parents don’t share their sentiments since slime — albeit a fun toy — can be difficult to clean, especially if it gets stuck on clothes or the carpet.
Most parents with slime-loving kids are always wondering how to get slime out of their carpet or their child’s favorite t-shirt. Some go to the extent of banning slime at home just to avoid cleaning slime. But you need not keep your kids from playing with slime just to avoid messy cleanups.
Worry not, Mom and Dad! There are still plenty of ways to remove slime from your carpet, clothes or any of your furniture. Here are some ideas.
How To Get Slime Out of Carpet
Many parents ask, “Does slime come out of the carpet?” It seems like a lost cause once your child smooshes their slime into the fibers of your beloved carpet. But remember: slime is primarily made up of glue and the majority of glues today are washable. You can easily wash them out with white vinegar.
However, slime can be a ticking time bomb. The longer the slime sits on your carpet, the more difficult it will be to remove.
There are two ways to get rid of slime depending on the type of slime you’re trying to remove: wet or dry.
How to Get Wet Slime Out of the Carpet
- Remove as much slime as you can. Some people use spoons or knives to gently scrape the slime off their carpets. But it’s better if you use your hands to remove the slime. You’ll remove more than if you tried a spoon.
- Add 2/3 cup of white vinegar to 1/3 cup of water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and give it a good shake.
- Spray the white vinegar and water mixture on the slime and let it soak. The slime will start to dissolve.
- Work the mixture into the carpet using a scrub brush. This softens and loosens up the slime.
- Use a white cloth to blot the slime spot and the white vinegar mixture. Repeat this step until the slime has dissolved.
- Gather the excess liquid with a vacuum.
- If your carpet is still stained after using the vinegar mixture, use OxiClean to remove the stains.
How To Get Dried Slime Out of Carpet
If your child forgot to tell you about the slime they left on the carpet, chances are the slime has already dried out. Still, you’re gonna want to remove them ASAP since they’re more difficult to remove if you leave them out longer.
- If you can’t remove the dried slime with your fingers, let the ice sit on top of the slime for 10 minutes (or until the slime is frozen).
- Once the slime is frozen, break, scrape or pick the slime out of the carpet.
- Remove the remaining slime using the instructions above for wet slime.
What are the Other Ways to Remove Slime Out of Your Carpet?
Club Soda. If you don’t have white vinegar at home, try club soda. If you’re going to try club soda, try to remove as much slime as you can. Spray the soda on the stain and wait for five minutes. Blot it out with a cloth and continue scrubbing. If you’re using a sponge, use the green scouring side to remove more.
Regular Carpet Cleaner. Follow the package’s directions if you’re going to use a regular carpet cleaner. Let the cleaner sit for five minutes before you start scrubbing. A regular carpet cleaning can leave some residue behind so constantly refresh your sponge water.
Dish Soap. Mix two teaspoons of liquid dish soap with two cups of warm water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray it on the stain. Wait for two to four minutes. Dab up the slime before spraying again. Once the stain has been removed, dab one more time and let it air dry.
How to Get Slime Out of Clothes
When kids play with slime, they will inevitably get some of the goo on their clothes. Since slime is made of glue, it will get stuck on their clothes. When that goopy lump is stuck on your child’s favorite t-shirt, what do you do?
Similar to getting slime out of the carpet, there are two ways to get slime out of your clothes.
How to Get Wet Slime Out of Clothes
The best way to get rid of slime from your child’s favorite shirt is to remove the excess slime before it dries out. Once you’ve wiped off as much wet slime, apply vinegar to the stained area and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Once the slime has dissolved, take a toothbrush and start scrubbing the area. After this, rinse the shirt in hot water before throwing it in the washing machine.
If you followed these steps and still see a colored stain, use an advanced laundry stain remover. Apply a liberal amount of the remover over the stain. Give it a good rub and let it sit for 15 minutes before washing the clothes.
How to Get Dried Slime Out of Clothes
If you’ve removed dried glue before, you know how difficult it is to remove dried-up slime. Here are some steps to take:
- Scrape the excess slime with a butter knife or a similar tool.
- Press an ice cube on the leftover slime. You can also put their shirt in the freezer for three to four hours.
- Peel off the hardened slime before washing as usual.
How to Get Slime Out of Hair
Clothes and carpets aren’t the only victims of slime. Before you know it, your child’s already trying to remove the slime from their hair. When you see a glop of slime lodged on your child’s hair, don’t panic or reach for the scissors!
To dissolve slime on your child’s hair, you’ll need an oily substance. The oils in baby oil, mayonnaise and even peanut butter can loosen up the slime from the hair. It’s also useful to have the following items nearby:
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Hot water
- Vinegar
- A comb
If you’re going to use oil to remove the slime from the hair, massage a few teaspoons of oil onto the hair. Comb from the bottom and work your way up. If you use a food substance like peanut butter or mayonnaise, do the same steps and finish with a good shampoo.
Unlike carpets and clothes, hair won’t benefit from vinegar removal. Vinegar can dry out your hair so treat it as a last resort.
Slime gives kids an avenue to spend their excess energy or express their love for arts. It need not be every parent’s worst enemy. You don’t even have to ban your kids from playing with it. As long as you have the right tools at home, you should be a-OK!