Slime! It’s all so much fun until it ends-up somewhere it shouldn’t and we’re left scrubbing frantically at carpets, clothes, hair and goodness knows what else. At one point, I declared our house ‘slime free’ in an attempt to protect our beloved belongings.
I wish I knew then, what I know now: That there are ways and means to rid your home of slimy stains and sticky residue when the creative fun goes a step too far.
Here are some surefire suggestions to get slime out of almost anything.
Get it out of carpet
You knew the silence in the other room was too good to be true, especially when it ends-up with slime on the carpet. It can be tricky to remove depending on the size of the stain. But don’t worry, it is doable with a bit of elbow grease and items you already have in your pantry.
Get distilled vinegar, paper towels or rags, and a spoon. Pour some vinegar (enough to soak the area but not too much) directly onto the stain and wait for it to break down the slime. Then take the spoon and scrape away the slime and vinegar goop from the carpet. This may take a while; be careful not to scrape too hard. Now heat up some water (not boiling) and pour it onto the carpet to rinse out the remaining slime and vinegar. Remove the water with rags or paper towels and use a hair dryer to dry the carpet.
Remove it from clothes
Getting slime on clothes is icky and can be meltdown-inducing if you’re just about to go out. But don’t panic. Whether it’s on your child’s shirt or your business suit, the slime can be easily removed.
Grab some vinegar or household cleaner and paper towels. Use the paper towel to mop up the slime and a spoon or butter knife to gently scrape away residue. Next, soak the stain with vinegar or household cleaner for about 5 minutes. Finally, pour some warm water on the stain to get rid of remaining slime. You can now wash the garment as usual.
Maybe next time, get your children to wear aprons when playing with slime.
Stockist: Etsy
HOW TO REMOVE SLIME FROM COUCHES AND CAR SEATS
If you’re wondering how to get slime off couches and car seats, it’s essentially the same process as before.
You’ll need paper towels, rags, a spoon and something to dissolve the slime. Here we use rubbing alcohol but others swear by vinegar, hand sanitiser or all-purpose household cleaner. Use whatever you have on hand. Pour some rubbing alcohol or cleaner on the stain (make sure to soak the entire stain) and wait a few minutes. The slime should now be easier to scrape off with a spoon or butter knife. Finally, dry out the alcohol with the rag or paper towel and remove stubborn bits.
You may need to repeat the process to get it all out.
Get slime out of hair
Getting slime out of your hair or your kid’s hair doesn’t have to be a nightmare. All you need is patience and something to take out the slime.
For glue-based slime, vinegar works well, but you can also use shampoo, conditioner or any oil-based product. The first thing to do is get in a warm shower or dip your hair in warm water. Massage conditioner on the area and use your fingers to break up the slime. You can also use a wide-tooth comb to dislodge slime particles. Rinse out the conditioner and shampoo your hair to get rid of remaining slime.
Get it off the walls
Kids left a huge slime stain on the pristine white walls and your rental inspection is tomorrow? No worries. Use a paper towel to pick off excess slime from the wall, then use a butter knife or spoon to scrape off bits and pieces. Make sure not to rub too vigorously as you can take off the paint or wallpaper. Next, mix baking soda, water and vinegar to form a paste. You want it thick, not runny. Don’t forget to protect the floor under the stain with newspapers or cloth. Wear rubber gloves and apply the paste directly onto the wall and let it sit and dry (about 1-2 hours). Remove the dried paste with warm water and a paper towel.
Clean it off your hands
Now that you’re done playing with slime or cleaning it, here’s how to get slime off your hands.
For glue-based homemade slime, soap and warm water should do the trick. More stubborn slime can be removed with vinegar. Pour some vinegar into a small basin with warm water and soak your hands for several minutes. Use a spoon to scrape off hardened slime bits. Rinse your hands with exfoliating soap and apply lotion or oil afterward.
Final words
When it comes to banishing slime from pretty much anything, you have to act fast. Don’t let that slippery sucker get the better of you!
Swiftly addressing the spill, employing suitable techniques and materials, and considering the specific characteristics of the affected material are all crucial steps. Oh and always do a small test to make sure you’re not going to destroy what you are cleaning with the wrong products.
Remember, timing is everything—tackle the slime head-on before it sets up shop and becomes besties with your stuff.
By applying these strategies and investing a little effort, you can bid farewell to stubborn slime and restore your belongings to their pristine state.