Some of the most effective home remedies for getting slime out of fabric are white vinegar, warm water, rubbing alcohol, baking soda, and dish soap.
However, you need to scrape off the fresh slime with a spoon/putty knife as soon as you can (as much as possible) to avoid lingering slime stains. And for dried slime, loosen it first for better results. In both cases, washing the fabrics right after the slime removal treatment is recommended.
What about non-washable items like carpets and couches? Grab a damp cloth and some rubbing alcohol to blot the slime gently; not too hard to spread the mess or make the fabric damaged. Remember, when you are dealing with stubborn slime, choosing the right tool and technique is the key to winning over it.
In This Article
While most kids love playing with slime, this gooey, sticky substance often gives a major headache to parents.
Because let’s be honest, slime is more like colored glue and it clings to every surface it falls onto; from shirt to sofa, cushion to carpet, or any other household items.
For parents who love DIY and Crafts with kids, slime seems super fun and creative. Once slime makes an entry to your home, in the blink of an eye it will find its way- either to your kid’s clothes or onto the couch foam.
When it gets stuck on something, getting rid of that sticky slime is a losing game unless you know how to do it right.
Don’t worry though! Fortunately, some household ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap, work great in getting this gooey element out of clothes, carpets, upholstery, and more. You just need to learn when and how to use them properly.
Find out how to get slime out of fabric with these easy (and effective) home remedies that save both time and money.
Exploring the Enemy: What Is Slime Made Of?
Slime, a semi-solid substance, usually contains the following:
- School glue (key element)
- Borax/ contact lens solution (activator)
- Food color, pigments, glitter, etc. (additives)
Naturally, it has a sticky texture that clings to both surfaces and fabrics, resulting in lingering, hard-to-remove stains.
The school glue used in slime, PVA (polyvinyl acetate) glue alternatively, is the key material to make slime stretchy and slippery.
The next bad news is Borax. Though it’s a decent household cleaner, it works as an activator in the slime mixture, transforming the glue into a sticky, semi-solid state.
Thirdly, the food coloring and pigments cause your clothes to stain when coming in contact with slime.
When wet, this sticky composition can easily seep into the fabric fiber, and when dried, it’s a whole new challenge to get rid of. Thankfully, you already know the key components of slime and their nature, which gets half the job done.
Now all you need to do is follow the right method to bring your favorite clothes back to a slime-free state again.
General Rules of Slime Removal
Before delving deeper, here are a few basics of slime removal that you should remember:
Act ASAP: Don’t delay the slime removal treatment as soon as you notice it. Slime is easier to remove when it’s fresh and gets tougher when dried.
Be Gentle: Start with milder methods and gradually move to stronger ones. Also, avoid harsh scrubbing so as not to damage the fabric fiber.
Know the Fabric: Know what fabric you are dealing with. Whether it’s cotton, polyester, or silk- all will react differently in slime’s contact. So, select your cleaning approach based on the fabric type.
Consider Delicate Fabrics: Use a soft-bristled brush for a gentle touch, especially for delicate fabrics. Because not all fabrics can withstand rigorous rubbing.
Spot Test: Before applying, test the cleaning solution on an inexplicit area of the clothes and be sure it’s not harmful to the clothes.
Avoid Heat: Until you can make the fabric stain-free, don’t use hot water, dryers, or irons. Any source of heat will worsen the stain by setting it.
Patience is the Key: Failing on the first attempt shouldn’t discourage you. Slime can be really stubborn sometimes, and it may take multiple tries to remove it completely.
How to Remove Wet Slime from Fabric: Step By Step
As stated above, wet slime is easier to remove where acting fast is the key. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it the right way:
Step 1: Remove as much slime as you can
When the slime is fresh, use a paper towel to blot out as much as possible. You can also use a spoon, putty knife, or even credit cards to scrape off the excess slime. Remember, the longer the slime sits, the tougher it is to remove.
Warning: Be careful not to spread the fresh slime around or push it further into the fabric.
Step 2: Soak the fabric in white vinegar
Pour some white vinegar into a bowl. Then soak the clothing item into the solution for 10-15 minutes.
Alternatively, you can use a spray bottle to spread the vinegar on the stained area only. Vinegar helps break down the sticky slime and remove the stain.
Step 3: Brush the stains
After the vinegar works its magic, take a soft brush to gently scrub off any remaining slime particles. Then you can pat the area dry with a paper towel.
However, if you can still spot the slime on your cloth, soak it in the vinegar solution for a few minutes more. Then brush over the stain back and forth.
Step 4: Rinse the fabric thoroughly
Once you are sure there’s no slime left on the clothing piece, rinse it thoroughly under a cold water stream. This is basically a pre-washing process before you throw the fabric in the washing machine and launder it with regular detergent.
How to Get Dry Slime out of Fabric
To remove dry slime, which is even harder, you can follow the following steps:
Step 1: Harden the slime
For dried-out slime, rely on a plastic scraper/ butter knife or anything similar to scrape it off. Before that, put some ice cubes on the dried slime so that it gets hardened.
Once hardened, scrape off the excess for easier stain removal.
Reminder: You may need a little more elbow grease here than removing wet slime.
Step 2: Apply baking soda paste
Unlike wet slime, vinegar isn’t enough to win over dried slime spots. Rather mix some baking soda and water to make a thick paste. Apply this paste over the stained area and wait for 10 minutes (at least).
Another way of making the slime dissolve faster is by applying a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Mix them together and directly apply the paste to the dried-out slime.
Step 3: Scrub the Area
After the cleaning solution gets enough time to break down the slime, take your old toothbrush/ any soft scrubbing brush to scrub the area.
Reminder: Don’t be harsh while rubbing your clothes. Ensure a gentle touch to keep the fabrics unaffected.
Step 4: Rinse the Fabric
Finally, rinse the fabric thoroughly in cold water, and then launder it as usual.
Other Cleaning Agents That Work
In case you don’t have vinegar at home, here is how to remove slime from clothing without vinegar.
1. Dish Soap: Dish soap works as a decent slime cleaner as it’s designed to break down grease and stickiness. Either apply it directly on the slime on your cloth or you can prepare a soapy solution by mixing it with warm water. Here’s how it works:
- Mix 2 teaspoons of liquid dish soap with 2 cups of warm warm water.
- Spray the mixture onto the stain using a spray bottle, wait for 5 minutes, and then spray it again.
- Rub off the gooey slime with a sponge, rag, or brush.
- Wash the cloth as stated above.
2. Rubbing Alcohol: To win over the stretchy properties of slime, rubbing alcohol works quite well. Apply it on the affected area with the help of a clean cloth/ cotton ball for the fastest result. It should lift the slime thoroughly.
Tips: For rubbing alcohol, always test it on a hidden part of the fabric so as not to affect its color.
How to Get Slime out of Couch Fabric
Do you want to get slime off your family couch forever? The following few steps will lessen your stress:
- Remove slime from the couch using a spoon or butter knife (as much as you scrape it off).
- Take white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
- Spray the cleaning solution on the couch’s surface.
- Let the solution sit for a while, 10-15 minutes approximately.
- Wipe the surface with a damp cloth and let it air dry.
Annoying Slime Stain on Carpets: How to Remove
Imagine your little one slipping some gooey slime on your favorite carpet. How would you restore its slime-free state?
- Don’t let the slime sit and dry to make the cleaning process harder. Act immediately and remove it with a butter knife (you can even use your finger).
- Then create a mixture of white vinegar, dish soap, and warm water.
- Apply the mixture on the carpet where you see the remaining slime particles.
- After the slime is lifted, use a damp cloth to blot the area so there is no soap residue.
- Blot the area with a clean, dry rag/towel, and then air dry the carpet.
Reminder: Be careful not to rub the stained area. Otherwise, it will spread the slime around the entire carpet.
How to Get Slime out of a Blanket
Removing those goopy slime stains out of a blanket is pretty much the same. Scrape off the excess slime as soon as possible, dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol or vinegar, dab the cloth on the stain gently, and blot the area with a dry paper towel/rag.
Finally, wash the blanket as usual.
Are There Slimes That Don’t Stick or Stain?
Though no slime is fully non-stick or stain-free, there are some varieties that are less likely to stick/stain compared to traditional glue-based ones. Some such examples include:
- Clear slime (made with clear glue and activator)
- Cloud slime (based on instant snow powder)
- Fluffy slime (often made with shaving cream)
How to Prevent Fabrics from Slime Stains
Though you already know how to remove slime stains from fabrics, furniture, and more, nothing is better than preventing those annoying slime stains to make life easier.
Here are a few tricks to keep those goopy stains away:
- Select a specific area for slime play and encourage your kids to stick to those areas while having fun with slime. A craft table, play table, or any easy-to-clean surface should help.
- To prevent accidental spills, supervise your kids when they are enjoying the slime time.
- Avoid dressing your kids in long-sleeved shirts/tees to avoid those sticky stains.
- Make them wear an apron/smock/old clothes to reduce the mess.
When to Call a Professional for Slime Removal
Slime is surely sticky, messy, and quite a hassle to clean; but it’s not invincible. With the right tool and technique, you can remove the stain (in most cases). However, it’s better to seek expert help in some special cases.
If you carefully try the methods above and still the spot persists, calling a professional is recommended. After all, they are specially trained and have access to more aggressive cleaning agents.
Note: Have the slime stain professionally cleaned if it ruins something very special. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, isn’t it?
FAQs
Is slime water soluble?
No, it’s not. Though both glue and borax, the key ingredients of slime dissolve in water. But when they come together to form slime, both undergo a chemical change and create a whole new substance that is thick, sticky, and doesn’t dissolve in water.
What removes dried slime?
A mixture of baking soda and vinegar magically removes dried slime. Mix them together to make a thick paste, apply it on the stain-on layer, let the paste dry, and scrub it gently with a soft brush.
Does hand sanitizer remove slime?
Hand sanitizer works for slime in the hair. Use a gel-based hand sanitizer to rub your affected hair and then rinse it out. Repeat the process until all slime gets removed.
How do you remove putty slime from fabric?
Start by scraping off putty slime as much as you can. Then you can spray hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, or rubbing alcohol; let the solution sit for five minutes; and scrub it softly with an old toothbrush. Finally, wash the fabric with normal water.
If you learn how to get slime out of fabric the right way, spilled slime cannot mark the end of your favorite shirts, jeans, or blankets anymore. With proper knowledge in slime composition, and with common kitchen staples like vinegar and baking soda, you can successfully win over even the most determined slime stain.
However, the secret is to act fast as soon as you see those goopy marks on your kid’s clothes, carpets, or upholstery. Don’t ban your little ones from the fun, instead, let them be creative with those colorful slimes, and remain stress-free with this DIY slime cleaning guide.
Need some tie-dye fun with your little one? Explore the tips to remove tie-dye from the skin and enjoy!
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