Slime is a principal component in most kids’ projects during the holidays. Apart from the sheer fun of learning science, it’s gooey, stretchy, and can turn from a solid to liquid and back again quickly.
Despite all the entertainment slime offers, it often lands in carpets leaving sticky, unsightly messes. Knowing how to remove slime out of your carpet is one handy skill every parent should learn. Luckily, there are numerous ways to get rid of nasty slime stains using homemade products. We look at some of them.
Cleaning wet slime
The first step is to determine if the slime stain is wet or dry. It’s easier to remove a damp slime stain by hand. You can also use a spoon to scrape away as much slime as possible. Then follow these steps to leave your carpet spotless:
- Mix ⅔ cup of white vinegar with ⅓ of water in a spray bottle
- Spray the mixture on the stain and allow it to set. The slime should dissolve immediately
- Then use a scrub brush to work the mixture into the carpet. The slime softens and breaks loose
- Use a white cloth to blot out the slime spot. Repeat until the slime disappears
- Use a vacuum cleaner to vacuum excess liquid
- If the white vinegar mixture stains your carpet, use a carpet cleaner to remove the stain
Removing dried slime
Well, if the slime has already dried on the carpet fiber, it’s a little harder to remove. Here are some remedies:
- Use club soda
Unlike pure water, club soda contains carbonic acid, a mild cleaning agent that removes slime or putty on rugs.
What you need
- 3 cups of club soda
- Vacuum
- Dry cloth
- Butter knife or scraping tool
- Spray bottle
The first step is to scrape off as much slime using the scraping tool. Next, vacuum the area to remove excess slime. Repeat the process until there’s no more debris. Then fill the spray bottle with club soda and spray it on the stain.
Allow the club soda to sit on the stain for five minutes, then blot the area using the dry cloth. This method also comes in handy when removing slime and other stains from blankets and mattress pads.
- Regular carpet cleaner
Regular carpet cleaner works just as well. You want to use just enough cleaning solution to remove slime without damaging the carpet fibers. Allow the solution to set in the carpet for five minutes before scrubbing the area in small circles using a sponge dipped in water.
Use the soft spongy side and the scouring side to scrape off the stain. Since the carpet cleaner is likely to create soap suds, soak it up with a towel. Follow it up with a vacuum cleaner to remove the last few pieces of slime stuck in the carpet.
- Using baking soda and vinegar
Vinegar and baking soda are the most popular household cleaning products. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which removes stains and grime easily. When combined with baking soda, the two products create a potent mixture that can remove all kinds of stains, including slime stains.
What you need
- Scraping tool
- 1 cup of baking soda
- Vacuum
- 2 cups of white vinegar
- A bucket of warm water
- A dry cloth or paper towels
- Sponge
Scrap off the stain and vacuum the area. Repeat the process until there’s no residue. Sprinkle baking soda on the slime stain and spray the white vinegar solution using a spray bottle until it is soaking wet.
Allow the mixture to sit on the stain for 5-10 minutes and blot it out using a sponge. Repeat this process until the stain disappears. Soak the sponge in water and place it on the area to lift the baking soda and vinegar mixture. Then use paper towels or a dry cloth to dry the spot.
- Citrus solvent
If you don’t want to use harsh cleaning products and DIY cleaning solutions aren’t your cup of tea, a citrus solvent comes in handy. The solution cleans just as well without damaging the carpet fibers.
Be sure to wear gloves and test the solution on an inconspicuous area before applying it to the carpet. The cleaning process is pretty similar to the one explained in the previous point.
- Rub alcohol on the stain
The solution isn’t your typical alcoholic drink, but an effective cleaning agent called isopropyl alcohol. This cleaning agent is famous for keeping silver jewelry in pristine condition.
It turns out it can remove stains on fabrics, including carpets. However, you want to avoid the solution from coming into contact with the carpet backing because it can damage it.
With all these remedies in tow, you’re confident about removing slime stains in your carpet. If neither of the remedies works, consider enlisting the help of a professional. Sometimes, the slime stains can be a tad stubborn, especially if they have stained large parts of the carpet.
