Slime, a mix of some common household items, is widely popular as a sensory toy that helps children with fine motor skills. Usually in bright colors, slime is gooey in nature, and thus loved by kids because of its texture and the variation in colors. However, this meant-to-be fun ball of goop can become a real nasty pain when stuck in carpet, and since then internet is abuzz with search queries about how to get slime out of carpet.
Before we get to the crux of the topic, it is essential to know and understand the different types of slime. Almost each type of slime can be removed from the carpet using different ways. Also, adding glitter or other ingredients to the basic composition of slime does not change how slime sticks to carpet.
Besides, there are also other factors that you need to consider when deciding the right way to get rid of slime on your carpets.
Types Of Slime
Classic Slime
This type of slime is thick, durable and usually sold over the counter. This slime may be your friend and does not stick to carpet, unless stepped on. To get rid of it, allow classic slime to dry. You may then gently scrape it off the carpet with a butter knife.
Butter Slime
Unlike the classic slime, butter slime is slick and smooth – it stretches and is slippery. Butter slime generally sticks to carpet. When removing it, use some paper towels to mop up the butter slime and then gently scrape away the residue with a spoon or butter knife. You can then soak the butter slime stain with a household cleaner for about 5 minutes before cleaning.
Jelly Or Clear Slime
True to its name, jelly slime has a clear base and is most difficult to get rid of amongst the various types. Jelly slime is the hardest to remove from carpets, so cleaning the slime as soon as possible is your best bet! Immediate removal of this slime is much more effective and easy than after it starts drying and sticking deep into the fibres of your carpet.
Factors To Consider
How Hardened The Slime Stain Is
Wet and dry (hardened) slime require separate techniques to clean from the carpet. Removing slime when wet is easier.
You may use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to suck up the wet slime from the carpet. Contrastingly, cleaning hardened slime takes more efforts. You will need to soak the affected area with water, then brush, scrape and vacuum to clean such stains.
Carpet Type
Expensive rugs are usually made of delicate natural fibres, and it is best to avoid any harsh chemicals or scrubbing too hard on them to get rid of slime. To avoid damaging the fibres, you may want to consider hiring professional cleaners with experience in cleaning delicate carpets to get slime out of such carpets.
The Size Of The Stain
When dealing with slime on your carpet, a small spot is manageable, and you may clean it yourself. However, gif the slime covers a large area, it is best to consult and hire professional carpet cleaners. Attempting to clean large stains of slime with DIY techniques may result in even further damage to the carpet than already is.
The Severity Of The Stain
A light fresh slime stain may be cleaned easily with a simple cleaning solution made with soap and water, or club soda. However, if the stain is deep or dark, a stronger cleaning chemical solution made with substances like vinegar may be needed to get slime out of carpet.
Techniques For Dried Slime
When dealing with dried slime on the carpet, you may need efforts and some physical rubbing and scrubbing to get it out. Scrubbing with a stiff brush until it starts to loosen, and then vacuuming it up is the standard way. A bristle brush may help if the stain has not hardened enough!
How To Get Slime Out Of Carpet Using…
A Putty Knife
You may use a putty knife to scrape a stubborn dried slime in your carpet. Be careful not to damage your carpet as you gently scrape at the slime. Any other blunt tool, such as a spoon or a butter knife, is also an option to scrape the slime.
Ice Cubes
One of the most effective ways to remove slime from the carpet is the use of ice cubes on a fresh spill of slime on your carpet. Appling ice to the slime for about 15 min to freeze the slime makes it easier to scrape it off the carpet and vacuum clean. If done right away and in the proper manner, this method leaves no color residue on the carpet either!
Club Soda
Clean out as much slime as you can by scraping and vacuuming the pieces. Now spray some club soda on the stain and let sit for about five to ten minutes. Then use a cloth to absorb the excess soda water. Club soda acts as a mild cleansing agent that makes it a tad bit easier to clean slime out of the carpet. However, some scrubbing is needed even though.
Vinegar And Water
One part warm water mixed with two parts vinegar sprayed onto the slime stain and cleaned with a soft brush to loosen it, and then dabbed with a paper towel followed by vacuum cleaning and brushing can make the the slime stain on the carpet disappear!
Alternatively, you can also mix two teaspoons of liquid dish soap with two cups of warm water in a spray bottle, repeat the process, and allow the carpet to air dry.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix 2/3 apple cider vinegar with 1/3 cup of warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Blot it up with a clean cloth. You may repeat the process till all the slime is gone.
