How to Get Slime Out of Clothes ASAP

Slime provides endless hours of fun and sensory play for young children, but it can also stick to clothing and cause stubborn stains. Luckily, there are ways to remove wet and dry slime to prevent unwanted stains. Slime is a squishy toy made from guar gum, often featuring bright colors and glitter, and sold in lidded containers, but it can also be made at home with common household items including white glue and cornstarch.

As fun as the sensory toy is, slime can be messy and stick to clothing. Thankfully it’s easy to remove both wet and dry slime with the right cleaners, the most effective being distilled white vinegar.

Read on to learn how to get slime out of clothes to prevent stains.

How to Get Wet Slime Out of Clothes

Wet slime is easier to remove from clothes than dried slime, so acting fast while the slime is still fresh is ideal. The most effective way to get wet slime out of clothes is using distilled white vinegar which contains acetic acid which breaks down the slime while being safe enough to use on fabric.

1. Remove any excess wet slime from the fabric using a dull knife or spoon, making sure you don’t rub it in to prevent staining.
2. In a small bowl, mix equal parts water and distilled white vinegar, then dab it onto the slime spot using a clean microfiber cloth, allowing the solution to work for a couple of minutes.
3. Check if any slime has loosened and scrape it off carefully using a dull knife or spoon.
4. Wash the garment as usual following the care instructions.

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How to Get Dry Slime Out of Clothes

It may be harder to get dry slime out of clothes, but it’s not impossible. Use ice cubes to freeze the dried slime so you can easily peel it off.

1. Use a dull knife to scrape off any solid pieces of dry slime.
2. Place ice cubes in a sealed ziplock bag and press it on the dry slime, using something heavy to apply pressure if needed.
3. Keep pressing the ice cubes into the dry slime until it hardens, then gently peel it off.
4. Wash the garment as usual following the care instructions.

Additional Methods to Remove Slime From Clothes

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol can be used to remove dry slime from clothes. Follow the above ice cube method, then pour a little bit of rubbing alcohol on top of the frozen slime, letting it soak in. Use a dull knife to remove any loose slime and a clean microfiber cloth to blot the liquid before washing the garment as usual.

Dish Soap and Water

Place the clothing on a flat surface with the slime stain face up. Squirt a couple of drips of dish soap directly on the slime, covering its entire surface. Wet a soft-bristled nylon brush with warm water and gently work the dish soap into the slime. Blot with a clean, damp microfiber cloth to remove residue, then wash the clothing as usual.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Carefully cover the slime on your clothes with hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for up to 10 minutes. Grab a soft-bristled brush and gently work the liquid into the slime to loosen it. Rinse under cold water then wash the clothing as usual.

Commercial Stain Removers

Test the commercial stain remover on an inconspicuous part of the clothes first to ensure it’s safe to use, then follow the product directions to remove the slime. Rinse the garment under cold running water, then wash and dry as usual.

When to Hire a Professional

If you have tried all of the above methods but the slime is too set in and has caused a stain, you may want to have the clothing cleaned professionally. Additionally, if the garment is made from a delicate material such as silk or it’s a vintage piece, take it to a professional cleaner to avoid damaging the fabric.