Slime is a thick liquid of variable viscosity. It is a cross-linked polymer made by mixing polyvinyl alcohols with borax. It comes in various colors and is a common plaything with kids. Slime has a strange odor and is cold to the touch. It appears friendly enough, but it is hard to get slime out of the carpet.
Every child loves slime. But when it gets into the carpet, it turns into a parent’s worst nightmare. Even though it cannot seep inside, the carpet fibers are not relaxed enough yet. Slime sticks to the surface fibers and is not easy to pull out. Learn how to remove slime from the carpet in a few easy steps.
Steps To Get Slime Out Of Carpet
Slime sticks well to the carpet fibers. Hence, only elbow grease won’t help to remove it. Follow these steps to get it out of the carpet efficiently.
↠ Scrape Excess Slime
If the slime is wet, try to pull it out with your fingers. The more it comes off with your fingers, the better. Otherwise, you can use a spoon or painter’s knife to scrape it off.
Start with the boundaries of the slime puddle. Work your way towards the center, scraping off as much loose slime as possible.
↠ Soak The Spot
Once the excess slime has been removed, grab a few household items like water and vinegar. Mix 2/3rd cup distilled white vinegar with 1/3rd cup warm water. Fill a spray bottle with this solution.
Gently spritz it on the affected area. Allow the vinegar-water mixture to soak in. Because slime generally consists of substances like borax and glue, vinegar efficiently dissolves them. If the slime seems to be deep inside, let the solution stay for 10-15 minutes.
↠ Brush It
Brush the wet spot with a stiff-bristled brush. It will help to loosen the slime further. Brushing will also make it come off the carpet fibers. When you brush the slime, it starts breaking off. Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as it can harm the carpet fibers.
↠ Dry The Carpet
Repeat the above steps if there is still more slime remaining. Pat dry the area with a clean cloth once it gets off. Avoid rubbing or wiping, as it can damage the carpet fibers.
↠ Use An Ice Pack
If the slime has dried out, it is impossible to just pick it up with your fingers. In such cases, you need to rehydrate it. Put several ice cubes in a plastic bag and seal it. Leave it for 10-15 minutes. The solidified slime will melt and become gooey again.
Once that takes place, you can lift it with your fingers. Scrape off excess slime with a spoon or a knife. Allow the spot to dry and vacuum it up afterward.
↠ Spot Treat The Area
Sometimes, slime spills can leave a color stain on your carpet. Once you have the slime off, you need to deal with the color stain. Use a standard spot treatment agent for this purpose.
Check the carpet label before buying a spot cleaning solution. Each carpet type is unique and thus requires a different cleaning solution. Before proceeding with the stain removal, read the usage instructions on the cleaning agent bottle.
Gently apply a few drops of the spot remover to the affected area. Let it stay for a few minutes. Blot the solution with a clean, dry cloth. Continue blotting until all of the colors have come off.
↠ Vacuum The Area
Give it a good vacuum once the slime and color are off the carpet. This step is necessary as bits and pieces of it remain stuck to the fibers. It is virtually impossible to pick out these bits individually. Thus, it is best to vacuum them up.
Vacuum up the carpet as soon as you remove the slime. It is because the remaining bits get pushed inside due to pedestrian traffic. And once they have gone deep, you can only get it out with professional cleaning.
The Bottom Line
Do not be concerned about how to remove slime from the carpet. Your carpet will be slime-free in minutes if you follow the above steps and use a handful of kitchen products. Forget about damaging your carpet with costly cleaning products or gear. You only need white vinegar and water, a soft scrubbing brush, and a fresh rag or towel to eliminate slime from the carpet. Sprinkle some spot treatment solution over the colored dye from it. Blot till the color is gone. Or just call a professional carpet cleaning service.
