Slime. It’s sticky, gooey, and oh so fun to play with. But it can also be a nightmare if it ends up on your carpet. Getting slime out of carpet can be a tricky process, but with the right techniques and products, you can banish slimy carpet stains in no time.
What Causes Slime to Stain Carpets
Slime is made up of two main ingredients – glue and borax. The glue gives slime its sticky texture, while the borax causes the molecules in the glue to bind together and create the stretchy slime consistency.
This combination of stickiness and stretch makes slime prone to getting lodged deep in carpet fibers. The glue adheres to the fibers while the stretch allows it to sink farther into the carpet pile.
In addition, slime often contains food coloring, glitter, and other add-ins that can transfer to and discolor carpet. So slime stains are not only sticky and gooey, but often brightly colored too.
Removing Fresh Slime From Carpet
If you catch a slime spill right away, your best bet is to start by scooping up as much of the loose slime as possible. Try to remove any solid chunks before the slime has a chance to really soak into the carpet fibers.
Next, grab a stiff-bristled scrub brush and scrub at the remaining slime stain. The mechanical action will help break up the slime and dislodge it from the carpet. Focus on scrubbing in different directions to lift the slime out of the carpet pile.
As you scrub, blot the area with paper towels or clean rags to absorb the slime residue. Replace towels frequently to avoid spreading the slime around.
You can also use a plastic spoon or dull knife to gently scrape at the slime and lift it from the carpet. Take care not to damage the carpet fibers in the process. The goal is to remove as much of the sticky slime as possible while it is still fresh.
DIY Cleaners for Dried or Set-In Slime
If the slime has had time to really dry out or set into the carpet, then a little elbow grease will be required to loosen the sticky stain. Start by mixing up one of these homemade slime stain cleaners:
Dish Soap and Warm Water
Mix a few drops of clear dish soap into warm water until sudsy. Dish soap is designed to cut through and remove stuck-on grease and oils.
White Vinegar
Plain white vinegar can help break down the glue in stubborn dried slime stains. Mix equal parts vinegar and warm water.
Rubbing Alcohol
The solvent properties in rubbing alcohol allow it to dissolve sticky residues. Mix two parts rubbing alcohol with one part water.
Baking Soda Paste
Make a paste with equal parts baking soda and water. Let sit on stain for 5 minutes before scrubbing.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Mix peroxide with baking soda and dish soap to make a foaming stain fighter.
Ammonia
Add a couple tablespoons of ammonia to a cup of warm water. Ammonia works to loosen set-in grime.
WD-40
WD-40 lubricates and loosens sticky gunk. Spray directly onto dried slime and let sit before scrubbing.
No matter which DIY cleaner you choose, apply it directly to the stain and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to penetrate the slime residue. Then use a scrub brush to vigorously scrub the slime stain, rotating your brush strokes for maximum effect.
Blot with clean rags as you scrub to lift the slime. You may need to reapply the cleaner and scrub multiple times to fully lift out every last bit of sliminess.
Using Vinegar and Baking Soda to Remove Slime
One of the most effective homemade cleaners for slime stains is vinegar mixed with baking soda. Each ingredient plays an important role:
- The acetic acid in vinegar helps break apart the polymers in the glue.
- Baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive to scrub the slime away.
- The reaction between vinegar and baking soda creates fizzing foam that further lifts the stain.
To use this method:
- Liberally sprinkle baking soda over the slime stain. Use a spoon to press it down into the carpet fibers.
- Spray the stained area with undiluted white vinegar until fully saturated. The baking soda and vinegar will react with fizzing and foaming.
- Let sit for 2-3 minutes as the foam works on the slime.
- Scrub vigorously with a stiff brush to lift the slime residue.
- Blot with clean rags and repeat process if needed until slime is removed.
- Rinse vinegar residue with clean water and allow carpet to fully dry.
The combination of vinegar and baking soda provides a non-toxic way to conquer even the stickiest, most set-in slime stains.
Using Salt to Absorb and Remove Slime
Plain table salt can also be an effective slime stain remedy. Here’s how to put it to work:
- Cover the slime stain fully with salt, using a spoon to push it down into carpet fibers.
- Let the salt sit for at least an hour. The salt will work to absorb moisture from the slime, helping to solidify it.
- After letting it sit, vacuum up the salt along with the now dried slime debris. The salt helps weigh down the slime particles so they can be removed.
- If any sticky residue remains, make a salt and vinegar solution. Add 1⁄2 cup salt to 1 cup vinegar and spray onto stain.
- Scrub with a brush, blot, and vacuum up remaining solution.
The extended sitting time gives the salt time to really work at soaking up the moisture that makes slime so slimy. This turns even the gooiest slime into something that can be conveniently vacuumed up.
Scrubbing with Borax to Remove Slime Stains
Since borax is a key ingredient in making slime, it makes sense that it can also help remove slime from carpet. Mixing borax with just enough warm water to make a thick paste gives you an abrasive scrubbing agent custom-made for battling slime.
To use:
- Spread the borax paste over stained area and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Scrub paste into carpet using circular motions.
- Wipe away borax paste with clean rags as you scrub.
- Vacuum up any remaining borax and residue.
- Rinse with clean water and blot dry if needed.
The gritty texture of the borax paste combined with the scrubbing action works to grind slime stains away from carpet fibers. Borax is also naturally antibacterial, which helps remove odors left behind by slime accidents.
Using Enzyme Cleaners to Remove Slime
Enzyme cleaners work by using natural enzymes that literally eat away at organic stains and residues. The enzymes break down the polymers in glue, plus food coloring and other biological add-ins.
Look for an enzyme cleaner specifically formulated for use on carpets and upholstery. Follow label directions to pre-treat the slime stain, allow time for enzymes to work, and then extract residue.
Enzyme cleaners are available at grocery stores, hardware stores, and online. Some popular brands to look for include:
- Bissell Stomp ‘N Go Stain Lifting Pads
- Hoover PetPlus Pet Stain and Odor Remover
- Rug Doctor Pet Pro Enzyme Odor Eliminator
- Nature’s Miracle Urine Destroyer
- Clorox Pet Solutions Advanced Formula Enzymatic Cleaner
The active enzymes in these cleaners will chew through the compounds that give slime its properties, allowing you to more easily remove every last bit of goo from carpet.
Using Professional Carpet Cleaning Services
For really extensive slime stains, or if DIY attempts just aren’t getting the job done, calling in professional carpet cleaners may be warranted.
Look for a service that uses truck-mounted steam cleaning units, which provide powerful suction and high-heat washing. This combination can penetrate deep into carpet fibers to lift even the most ground-in slime.
Many pros also use commercial-grade enzyme cleaners and anti-residual detergents that can further break down and remove stubborn slime stains. Their powerful wands and vacuums can then extract the dissolved slime so it’s gone for good.
While professional services may cost more upfront, they can save you time and frustration, and will help ensure no traces of slime are left behind.
Slime Stain Removal Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional pointers to help tackle those nasty slime stains:
- Act quickly – never let slime dry fully before attempting to remove it. The quicker you can get to the stain, the easier it will be to eliminate.
- Blot don’t scrub – when slime is still wet, gently blot to absorb as much as possible rather than rubbing it in deeper.
- Avoid excessive heat – heat can set some stains. Hold off on hot water, steamers, or heat tools until slime is fully removed.
- Use cold to harden – chill dried slime with ice cubes or a cold pack. Hardened slime can be more effectively chipped off carpet fibers.
- Check carpet pad – slime can seep down to the pad beneath carpet. Pad may need to be replaced if staining and odor persist after cleaning.
- Increase air flow – point fans and air movers at the stain after cleaning to speed drying time.
- Prevent pile distortion – don’t oversaturate carpet or aggressively overscrub to avoid damaging the pile.
- Test cleaners first – always spot test cleaners on an inconspicuous area before treating the main stain.
- Rinse thoroughly – use clear water to remove all soap or cleaning solution residues after scrubbing.
- Discourage play near carpets – designate hard floor areas for slime play to limit stains.
With the right methods and a good slime stain remover, you can send slime packing before it takes up permanent residence in your carpet fibers. Just act quickly, arm yourself with a scrub brush, grab a cleaning solution, and get ready to show that slime who’s boss!
Frequently Asked Questions About Removing Slime From Carpet
Getting slime out of carpet quickly may seem daunting, but these common questions can help you tackle the task effectively.
What is the fastest way to get slime out of carpet?
Act immediately! Removing slime while it is still wet and fresh will produce the quickest results. Blot up excess, then scrub away residue with dish soap and water.
What removes dried slime from carpet?
For dried or stubborn slime, break out the vinegar, baking soda, borax, enzyme cleaners, or slime-fighting solvents like WD-40 or rubbing alcohol. Let solutions sit before scrubbing and blotting away.
What household item removes slime from carpet?
Many common household staples can conquer slime. Dish soap, vinegar, baking soda, salt, borax, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia get the cleaning job done.
What is the best homemade slime remover?
A mix of white vinegar and baking soda is highly effective. The acidic vinegar dissolves slime bonds while the baking soda scrubs. Salt also works by pulling moisture out of slime so it can be vacuumed up.
What solvent removes slime?
Solvents that dissolve sticky grime work well, like rubbing alcohol, lighter fluid, acetone, or WD-40. Nail polish remover containing acetone is effective too. Apply and let sit before blotting.
Does vinegar and baking soda get slime out of carpet?
Yes! The duo of vinegar to dissolve slime and baking soda to scrub is a dynamic slime-fighting mixture. Sprinkle baking soda first, spray vinegar, let sit, then scrub.
Does WD-40 remove slime from carpet?
Yes, WD-40 can lubricate and loosen the stickiness of dried slime patches. Spray on, let soak 5-10 minutes, then scrub with a stiff-bristle brush to lift slime from fibers.
What temperature kills slime?
Heating slime to temperatures above 130°F starts to kill off the borate polymers that give it its stretch and stick. High heat can set some stains, so only use after slime is fully removed.
Does slime come out of carpet?
Slime stains can be removed from carpet fibers with the right cleaning methods. Act quickly on fresh stains and use a slime-dissolving solution and vigorous scrubbing for dried or set-in spots.
Does slime permanently stain?
Slime does not have to leave a permanent stain if treated properly. Using the appropriate removal methods and acting before the slime dries will allow you to get the carpet back to its pre-slimed state.
Conclusion
While slime looks fun and colorful in the jar, it quickly loses its appeal when it ends up ground into your carpet. But with some elbow grease and the right cleaning solutions, you can send even the most stubborn slime packing.
Give one of these removal methods a try the next time slime gets away from you. A little scrubbing effort, some vinegar or borax paste, or a commercial enzyme cleaner and you’ll once again have pristine, slime-free carpet.
Just be sure to keep the sliming activities contained to non-carpeted areas in the future. And if the slime persists in spite of your best efforts, don’t hesitate to call in professional carpet cleaners with industrial strength cleaning powers.
With a few simple steps and readily available ingredients, you can outsmart pesky slime stains. Learn the tricks of the trade and you’ll get the slime out in no time!