How to Get Slime Out of Clothes

Getting slime stuck to a shirt or pair of pants can look like a laundry disaster, but thankfully it’s usually pretty easy to fix! If you’re wondering how to get slime out of clothes, the key is to remove as much slime as possible before you start scrubbing or tossing the clothing into the wash.

The best way to remove slime from clothes is with a simple mixture of 2 parts white vinegar and 1 part warm water. The vinegar helps loosen and break down the slime so you can gently scrape it away from the fabric. This works especially well on fresh slime, but with a little extra soaking time it can also remove slime that’s completely dried onto clothing!

 

How to Remove Slime From Clothes

Here’s the basic process for getting slime out of fabric:

1. Remove as much excess slime as you can with your fingers or the side of a spoon.
2. Mix 2 parts white vinegar with 1 part warm water.
3. Apply the vinegar mixture to the slime and allow it to soak in.
4. Place paper towel on top of the slime spot. This will help lift some of the slime.
5. Gently scrape away the loosened slime with the side of a spoon.
6. Repeat with more vinegar solution as needed until all the slime is gone.
7. Treat any remaining colour or stains with dish soap or laundry soap.
8. Wash the clothing according to the care label.
9. Check that the slime and stains are completely gone before putting the clothing in the dryer.

What you’ll need:

• White vinegar
• Warm water
• Small bowl or measuring cup
• Spoon
• Paper towels or a clean cloth
• Dish soap, rubbing alcohol, or stain remover for any remaining stains
• Toothbrush or soft cleaning brush, if needed

How to Get Fresh Slime Out of Clothes

Fresh slime is the easiest to remove, so deal with it as soon as you notice it. Start by picking up any large pieces of slime with your fingers. Then use the side of a spoon to gently scrape away as much as possible without pushing the slime farther into the fibers.

Mix 2 parts white vinegar with 1 part warm water and pour or dab the mixture onto the remaining slime. Give it a moment to loosen the slime, and then gently scrape the area again with the spoon. Add more vinegar mixture and repeat until the slime has completely lifted away.

Once the slime is gone, rinse the area and launder the clothing according to its care instructions.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Don’t rub the slime into the fabric. Scraping and dabbing are much better than scrubbing at this stage.
• Work from the outside of the slime towards the middle so you don’t spread it over a larger area.
• Use the side of a spoon rather than a sharp edge that could damage the fabric.
• Add more vinegar mixture as needed. Keeping the slime wet makes it much easier to remove.

How to Get Dried Slime Out of Clothes

Dried slime takes a little more patience because you need to soften it before you can lift it away.

For our test, we rubbed two different types of slime into a shirt and left them to dry for 5 days. Even after sitting that long, the vinegar and water solution was able to loosen the slime enough to remove it.

Start by applying the 2:1 vinegar and warm water mixture generously over the dried slime. Soak a paper towel in the same mixture, place it directly over the spot, and leave it there for about 10 minutes.

Remove the paper towel and gently scrape the softened slime with the side of a spoon. Don’t force off anything that’s still firmly stuck to the fabric. Instead, add more vinegar mixture, place a fresh soaked paper towel over the area, and give it another 10 minutes or longer to soften.

Continue soaking and gently scraping until all the dried slime has been removed. Then rinse the fabric and treat any remaining colour before laundering it normally.

How to Remove Slime Stains From Clothes

Sometimes the slime itself comes out but leaves a little colour behind, especially if the slime contains food colouring, mica powder, glitter, or other pigments.

The best way to prevent staining is to work gently while you’re removing the slime. Dab and scrape instead of rubbing, since rubbing can push both the slime and its colour deeper into the fabric. And, of course, the sooner you treat the slime, the better chance you have of getting everything out cleanly.

In our dried slime test, the slime containing mica powder and glitter left a slight pink tinge behind on the grey fabric after the slime itself was removed.

We tried dabbing the spot with rubbing alcohol, which lifted some of the remaining colour. If you try this method, test the rubbing alcohol on a hidden area of the garment first to make sure it won’t affect the fabric or dye.

Another option is to apply dish soap and warm water to the stained area. We worked the dish soap gently into the fabric with a toothbrush and then rinsed it thoroughly. After rinsing, the remaining colour appeared to be gone, but it’s always a good idea to let the fabric dry completely before deciding whether a stain has disappeared.

You can also try:

• A mixture of vinegar and dish soap
• Liquid laundry detergent worked directly into the stain
• A commercial laundry stain remover

Once you’ve treated the remaining stain, wash the clothing according to the care label and check it carefully before drying. If you can still see colour, repeat the stain treatment rather than putting it into the dryer.

Getting slime on clothes might be messy, but it doesn’t have to mean the end of a favourite shirt! With a little vinegar, warm water, and some patience, you can remove both fresh and dried slime without damaging the fabric. Just remember to check for any leftover slime or staining before putting the clothing in the dryer. Then it’ll be clean, fresh, and ready for another slime-making day!

Here’s even more helpful slime guides:

Get Slime Out of Hair

How to Get Slime Out of Carpet

How to Fix Rubbery Slime

Where to buy:

You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:

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