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How to get slime out of clothes (and just about everything else)

These quick and efficient methods remove slime from almost anything

Kelli Catana
By

Slime is every parent's best friend turned worst nightmare. Engaging the kids in mixing together some common household ingredients like Borax, liquid laundry detergent, contact solution, glue, and/or cornstarch to create the gelatinous material was only made more exciting by the addition of glitter and food coloring.

And while making slime at home was a fun science experiment that taught kids about creating their own polymer substance, parents started to become disenchanted once they discovered slime on everything from their children's clothes and hair to the furniture. 

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Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

20 minutes

What You Need

  • Vinegar

  • Scrub brush or toothbrush

  • Dish soap

  • Ice

  • Laundry detergent

  • Shampoo and conditioner

  • Baby oil or kitchen oil

  • Water

  • Vacuum cleaner

Making slime is still a great way to teach your kids about how different substances can work together to create something that feels like a solid and a liquid at the same time, but knowing how to get slime out of clothes (and just about everything else) is important. 

Child making slime
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to get slime out of carpet

It's all fun and games until your child accidentally drops their slime on the carpet. The good news is you don't have to panic, because there are a few methods you can use to get the slime out without ruining your carpet.

Step 1: If the slime is still fresh when it falls on the carpet you can drop a few ice cubes on top of the spill.

Step 2: Wait 10 to 15 minutes to let the mixture freeze.

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Step 3: After the mixture is frozen, peel or scrape the slime mixture off the carpet.

Step 4: Follow up with your vacuum over the spot.

Another way to remove slime from carpet

You can also use vinegar and water to remove slime.

Step 1: Scrape as much of the slime off the carpet as possible, moving from the outside to the middle to prevent spreading the stain any further on your carpet.

Step 2: Spray a mixture of 2/3 of distilled vinegar and 1/3 of warm water on the stain. Do not over-saturate.

Step 3: Leave on an extra 10 to 15 minutes if the stain has dried.

Step 4: Use a brush to gently loosen the slime from the carpet. Be careful not to use too much pressure so you avoid damaging the carpet.

Step 5: Repeat until all the slime is gone.

Step 6: Once you have removed the slime, use a clean towel to soak up any excess liquid.

Step 7: Follow up with a vacuum after the carpet has dried.

Child playing with slime
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to get slime out of hair

Slime really does manage to get everywhere, but nothing can set a parent's heart racing more than seeing a big old glob of slime in their child's hair. Fortunately, there are a few different ways to get slime out of your child's hair without making an emergency trip to the salon.

Step 1: First use water (as hot as you can) to help rinse out as much slime as possible from your child's hair. If that slime is really stuck in there, soak the hair for a few minutes to help loosen it.

Step 2: Apply conditioner to the hair (before using any shampoo) and massage it through the scalp, trying to work the slime free.

Step 3: Rinse out the conditioner. If the slime has been removed you can then shampoo the hair.

Step 4: If the slime is still there, repeat the conditioner process.

Another way to remove slime from hair

You can also use oil (any kitchen or baby oil) to remove slime from hair.

Step 1: Apply a generous amount of oil to the hair.

Step 2: Massage thoroughly through the hair, working out the pieces of slime.

Step 3: Once you have most of the slime removed, shampoo the hair.

Step 4: You may need to shampoo the hair more than once to help get rid of the oil.

A third way to get slime out of hair

Just like with removing slime from your carpet, you can also use a mixture of water and vinegar to remove slime from hair.

Step 1: Mix distilled vinegar with water to dilute it and work through the hair.

Step 2: Shampoo after as directed.

Many professionals don't recommend vinegar on the hair because it can be drying, but if these other solutions don't work it may be worth a try.

Kids playing with yellow slime
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to get slime out of clothes

You don't have to chuck your kids' clothes or socks just because they inadvertently got slime on them. Here are a few ways you can remove slime from clothes and save them in the event of a mishap.

Step 1: Vinegar comes in handy here as well. If the slime is wet, (which makes it easier to remove the slime) wipe off as much as you can before applying vinegar to the affected area.

Step 2: Leave the vinegar to sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Don't leave it to dry.

Step 3: Use a small brush, like a toothbrush, to scrub the affected area in a circular motion.

Step 4: Rinse with hot water.

Step 5: Wash and dry the item.

Another way to remove slime from clothes

If the slime is dry, use a similar method you would use for removing slime from the carpet,

Step 1: Scrape off as much slime as possible from the garment.

Step 2: Add ice to the stain and wait 10 to 15 minutes for the slime to freeze.

Step 3: Peel or scrape the remainder of the slime from the article of clothing.

Step 4: Wash and dry as directed.

A third way to get slime out of clothes

Dish soap is another tool you can use to clean slime out of clothing.

Step 1: Apply dish soap to the affected area.

Step 2: Rub the clothing together to loosen the slime as you hold it under running water.

Step 3: Repeat if needed.

Step 4: Wash and dry as directed.

Stock up on these supplies if your kids love to play with slime. It can definitely be messy but it's also a great way for your kids to learn a bit about science while letting them explore their creativity, because no matter how prepared you are when your kids play with slime, accidents can happen.

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Kelli Catana
Kelli Catana
Contributor
Kelli is a freelance writer who has covered the world of entertainment, pop culture, parenting, and lifestyle for various…
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