How to Get Slime Out of Carpet

If you’re wondering how to get slime out of carpet, don’t panic! Slime on the carpet is one of those messes that looks like it’s going to be permanent, but can usually be removed with the right approach. The best trick is to start cleaning it as soon as possible, while the slime is still soft and stretchy. Fresh slime is much easier to lift from carpet fibers, while dried slime takes more soaking, scraping, and patience.

We tested a few different ways to remove slime from carpet, including vinegar, rubbing alcohol, ice, and carpet cleaner. The best method we found was a simple 1:1 mixture of warm water and vinegar. It helped soften the slime so we could scrape it away without pulling too hard on the carpet.

 

How to Get Slime Out of Carpet

The best way to get slime out of carpet is to gently scrape away as much slime as possible first, then soak the area with a mixture of warm water and vinegar. Let the vinegar solution sit on the slime for several minutes to soften it, then scrape and blot the slime until it lifts from the carpet. You may need to repeat the process a few times, especially if the slime has dried.

Fresh slime usually comes out fairly easily with this method. Dried slime can still be removed, but it may need a longer soaking time and a few extra rounds of cleaning. Keep reading for step-by-step details on how to do this.

Supplies Needed:

• Warm water
• White vinegar
• Spoon
• Clean cloth or paper towel
• Vacuum
• Ice cubes, optional
• Carpet cleaner, optional

Step 1: Scrape off as much slime as possible

Start by using a spoon to gently scrape off as much of the slime as you can. Try to lift the slime up and away from the carpet instead of rubbing it deeper into the fibers.

If the slime is fresh, it should come up easily. If it’s dried, don’t force it too much at this stage. Scraping too hard can damage the carpet, especially if you have short pile carpet.

Step 2: Mix warm water and vinegar

Mix equal parts warm water and white vinegar in a small bowl or measuring cup. A 1:1 ratio worked well in our test.

Pour the mixture directly onto the slime spot or use an eyedropper to soak the area well. The goal is to soften the slime so it loosens from the carpet fibers.

Step 3: Cover the slime with a damp cloth or paper towel

Soak a clean cloth or paper towel in the warm water and vinegar mixture, then place it over the slime.

Let it sit for at least 5 minutes. For dried slime, you may need to let it soak longer (10 to 15 minutes to start). The vinegar mixture needs time to work its way into the slime and loosen it from the carpet.

When you lift the paper towel the slime should stick to it, and more slime will be loose.

Step 4: Scrape the slime again

Remove the cloth or paper towel, then use the spoon to gently scrape the slime again.

If the slime is fresh, it should start coming up fairly easily. You may still need to repeat the soaking and scraping process a couple of times to remove all of it.

For dried slime, repeat the vinegar soak as needed. It may take a few rounds, but the slime will continue to soften and lift from the carpet.

Step 5: Try ice for stubborn dried slime

If you’re having trouble removing the last bit of dried slime, especially from short pile carpet, try placing ice cubes on the slime for about 5 minutes.

The ice helps harden the slime, which can make it easier to scrape off. After scraping away more of the hardened slime, repeat the warm water and vinegar method to remove any remaining residue.

Step 6: Vacuum the carpet

Once the slime is removed and the carpet is dry, vacuum the area to help fluff the carpet fibers back up and make the carpet look normal again!

How to get dried slime out of carpet:

The same method of warm water and vinegar in a 1:1 ratio works for dried slime as well. Fresh slime is definitely easier to remove, but with repeated soaking the dried slime can also be removed. It just takes longer because the slime has dried into the carpet fibers.

Does rubbing alcohol remove slime?

We also tested rubbing alcohol using a similar method to the vinegar mixture. It did help loosen the slime, but it didn’t work quite as well to remove dried slime.

We also found it more difficult to work with rubbing alcohol without being too rough on the carpet. For that reason, vinegar and warm water was the better method in our test.

Does baking soda remove slime from carpet?

Baking soda can help with leftover residue or moisture, but it isn’t the best main method for removing slime from carpet by itself. You can sprinkle baking soda on the vinegar soaked spot to create a chemical reaction, which will help the vinegar do its job in breaking down the slime.

You can also sprinkle baking soda after most of the slime has been removed to help absorb the mess. But we didn’t find that baking soda helped loosen or remove the slime any better than just plain vinegar and water.

Tips for removing slime from carpet:

1. Clean the slime as soon as possible. Fresh slime is much easier to remove than dried slime.
2. Scrape gently with a spoon before adding liquid. This removes the bulk of the slime and keeps the mess from spreading.
3. Do not rub the slime into the carpet. Rubbing can push slime deeper into the fibers.
4. Repeat the soaking process if needed. Dried slime, and even fresh slime, may take several rounds before it fully lifts.
5. Use ice for stubborn dried slime. Hardening the slime can make it easier to scrape away.
6. Use carpet cleaner for leftover colour stains. Food colouring may leave a faint stain even after the slime is gone.
7. Always spot test first. Before using vinegar, rubbing alcohol, or carpet cleaner, test a small hidden area of carpet to make sure it doesn’t cause discolouration or damage.

Slime in carpet looks like a big mess, but it can be removed with a little patience. Simply follow the instructions and tips above, and your carpet should look like new!

Here’s even more helpful slime guides:

The Science Behind Slime

How to Make Slime Less Sticky

How to Fix Rubbery Slime

Where to buy:

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

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Amazon Canada