Move over, Play-Doh and silly putty - slime is the sensory activity of choice for the current generation of children. Slime is simple to make using common household ingredients, but it can create a tremendous mess. Whether the slime is still wet or has dried, getting slime out of the carpet can be a nightmarish experience.
The good news is you can clean slime from nearly any surface of your home. Below, we'll talk about how to get slime out of carpet and the best carpet cleaning products to use. Many of these tricks will also get slime out of fabrics, hair, and other surfaces as well.
7 Methods Of Getting Slime Out Of Your Carpet
Before we dive in, note that slimes are made from a mixture of glue, food coloring, water, starch, and potentially glitter. The adhesive will bond to your carpet fibers, and food coloring will stain it. Before tackling the mess, be sure to wear gloves first. Here are some methods for cleaning slime out of your carpet without ruining it.
Ice Cubes Can Get Slime Out Of Carpet!
It's always advisable to start with the gentlest cleaning solution first. We want to remove slime from carpet fibers without actually damaging those fibers. One of the best ways to remove slime is to simply get it back to being wet slime. If your area rug is liable to be felt with too much heat or rubbing, then the first tool in your cleaning arsenal should be ice cubes. Set an ice cube or a few ice cubes on top of the slime and wait a few minutes, letting the ice cube melt into the slime and the fabric. Once the slime has been moistened, you'll be able to scrape at it until it's been completely removed from the carpet.
Try Hot Water To Remove Slime
You can't get much more gentle than plain old water and elbow grease! Slime is not typically water-soluble, but hot water and scrubbing can do quite a bit. Use a butter knife to break up and gently scrape away the larger pieces of dried slime. Keep a vacuum handy to lift out those loosened chunks. Then, soak a sponge in water and blot the stain. Don't rub! Rubbing will push the stain further into the carpet fibers. The heat from the water will help to break loose any remaining slime. After a minute or two, blot the area with a dry cloth.
Club Soda Will Loosen Dried Slime
This method is essentially the same as the hot water cleansing method, but club soda will boost the cleaning power up a notch. Why? Club soda contains carbonic acid, which will eat away at the stain. Again, use some sort of blunt scraper to pull off as much of the dried slime as possible. Then, fill a spray bottle with club soda and spray the spot thoroughly. Let the soda sit for at least five minutes before blotting it away with a dry cloth.
Use Isopropyl Alcohol To Get Slime Out Of Carpet
The next cleaning agent up the ladder is isopropyl alcohol, otherwise known as rubbing alcohol. This is a powerful cleaning agent used for shining up silver and making baseboards shine. However, it can stain some fabrics. Spot test the alcohol in an inconspicuous area of the fabric before using it on the slime, and never let it come in contact with the carpet backing - it can damage it. To use rubbing alcohol to tackle your slime stain, use a blunt scraper too, again, gently scrape away as much of the excess slime as possible. Then, wet a sponge with undiluted isopropyl alcohol and carefully blot at the stain. Rinse the sponge as needed, and repeat. Once the stain has been lifted out, let the spot air dry for a few hours before walking on it.
The Dynamic Duo - Vinegar and Baking Soda
Baking soda and plain old white vinegar will do a number on your slime stains. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which eats away at dirt and stains. However, when combined with baking soda, the powerful fizzing reaction increases the cleansing power. First, use a scraping tool to scrape away as much slime as possible. Then, sprinkle some baking soda on the slime spot. Pour vinegar into a spray bottle, and spray the area until the baking soda starts to react. Let this mixture sit on the slime residue for at least five minutes, and then begin blotting at the slime stain with a sponge. Once the stain has been lifted, rinse the sponge in warm water and continue blotting - this round of blotting is to lift all the vinegar and baking soda that remains. Afterward, use a clean cloth or clean towel to dry the spot.
This is one of the easiest ways to remove dried slime from your carpet.
Liquid Dish Soap Will Bust Up Excess Slime
Liquid dish soap is useful for more than just cleaning dishes. Its ability to cut through oil lipids makes it a unique cleanser for removing slime from the carpet. Use a butter knife to remove as much of the slime stuck to the carpet as possible. Mix the dish soap and warm water in a spray bottle, and thoroughly soak the carpet stains. Blot the area with the sponge or damp cloth, and repeat the spraying and blotting until the stain is gone. Then, rinse the sponge thoroughly in clean water and dab at the carpet until the soapy cleaning solution is gone.
Get Slime Out Of Carpet With Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is perfect for a wide variety of cleaning jobs, and it can certainly get slime out of carpets. Its effervescence breaks the slime down into smaller parts, making it easier to get spilled slime out of carpets and area rugs. However, it can bleach fabrics, so always spot test in an inconspicuous area of the carpet first. After hitting the slime spillage with a scraping tool and some elbow grease, dilute three tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide in a half cup of water and spray it on the slime stain. After letting it sit for a minimum of five minutes, blot the spot with a sponge, rag, or paper towels. Repeat, alternating spraying and blotting until the stain is gone.
The Final Step
Regardless of which method you use, be sure to give the area a final vacuum if needed to remove any residual. Also, make sure to keep your window open to allow your carpet to dry properly.
