Having slime on your carpet is never a beauty to behold. You may have had all the fun playing with it, but once it drops on your carpet, it becomes a different ball game – and it needs to be removed fast.
This article walks you through the process of removing dried slime (something that you imagine to be impossible).
What Causes Slime on Carpet?
Generally, you can have a slimy carpet when a snail crawls past the surface. It also happens when slugs make their way into the house – and makes a crisscross trail/line.
When it comes to dried slime, we are looking at the sticky goo, made with a bit of water, borax, or contact lens and glue.
Adorned by kids but can be a source of bemoaning for parents, dried slime shouldn’t be a good sight in your home. Hence, following the tips we share in this article will help you get rid of it.
Read: How To Remove Fresh Slime from Carpet
1. The Easiest Method: Scoop Dried Slime out of the Carpet
This is the first thought that comes to mind – get a spoon and remove as much of the dried slime as you can.
This will help you remove much of the sticky substance and prepare the surface for other methods you will use.
2. How to Remove Dried Slime with a Dissolving Solution
Using a dissolving, cleaning solution will help you get rid of dried slime on the carpet. This method is straightforward and requires an eye for detail to get it right.
Let’s begin!
a. Scrape Away the Dried Slime
Get as much of the slime out of the carpet. Use a sharp object, such as a spoon or the edge of a knife to get this done.
Here are key points to note:
- Do the scrapping, only if there is a giant blob of dried slime on the carpet.
- Do the scrapping gently and avoid pressing the knife or spoon into the carpet. Doing so only “pushes” the slime deeper into the carpet.
- Start scrapping from the outside of the affected area and work your way into the center.
b. Suck up the Dried Slime
You will have specks of slime left behind when you’ve scrapped the top away. Now, you don’t want to leave these on the surface.
Get a vacuum cleaner and suck these up.
c. Create a Simple Dissolving, Cleaning Solution
Several handy cleaning products can be used to get rid of dried slime from a carpet. Among these are:
- Citrus solvent
- White vinegar
- Rubbing alcohol
- The WD-40 solution and;
- Goo remover.
It is always up to you to choose from any of them, but if we are to recommend, white vinegar does a better job. We recommend it because of these reasons:
- White vinegar solution speeds up the dissolution of the slime left on the carpet.
- It is also easier to blot the solution out of the surface, once the slime is removed.
Here is how to prepare a simple, dissolving white vinegar solution for removing dried slime from your carpet:
- Create a mixture of one part of warm water and two parts of white vinegar.
- Pour these into a spray bottle and shake to mix properly.
d. Apply the White Vinegar Solution to the Affected Area
Applying this solution requires some extra measures. Here are the things you ought to do:
- Do a spot test by applying a little of the solution in a smaller section of the carpet.
- Check for the outcome and see if the solution caused discoloration. If it did, then, there may be a need to remix it to reduce the harshness or toxicity.
- Only apply the solution on the spot or affected area and nowhere else.
- Always wear a glove to protect your hands from the dye and chemicals in the dried slime.
With these checks in place, apply the mixture to the affected area and allow it to sit on the surface for about 10 minutes. This is ample time for the acidic content in the solution to dissolve the slime.
e. Remove Dried Slime off the Carpet
You should attempt to use your hands to remove the slime. It should come off if the vinegar solution did its work.
f. Treat the Slime with a Cleaning Solution
However, there is also a chance that not all of the slimes broke down. In that case, you need to introduce a cleaning solution to treat the stain. The following is what you need:
- WD-40
- Goo remover
- Citrus solvent
- Rubbing alcohol or;
- Distilled white vinegar.
You can use any of the three, but since we’ve used white vinegar, you can settle for rubbing alcohol or WD-40.
Here is how to use it:
- If you are using WD-40, rubbing alcohol, or distilled white vinegar, just make a direct application to the affected area.
- The process is a bit different if you are using goo remover or citrus solvent. If this is the case, start by applying the solution to a clean towel and then, the towel to the affected area on the carpet.
The rule of thumb for any of the above processes is to saturate the entire area so it is fully covered, as this further breaks down the slime.
The next stage is allowing the solution to sit on the area for about 15 minutes. Within this time, the slime is softened, and the solution further penetrates the carpet to get rid of the discoloration.
g. Blot the Remaining Slime
After 15 minutes, get a paper towel or a clean towel. Use this to gently blot the remaining slime out of the carpet. In 15 to 30 dabs, you should be done.
However, if the slime remains, reapply the cleaning solution and follow the exact steps again.
h. Rinse the Area with Water
You are almost done! Now, get a bowl, pour hot water into it, dip a towel into it, wring out excess water from it, and apply that to the stained area.
i. Dry the Area
There are two steps to completing this process. The first is to get a dry towel, place it on the area, and soaking up as much water as possible. Allow the area to dry before going to the second step.
For the second step, use a vacuum cleaner to run over the spot. This allows you to pick up loose bits of dried slime that might not have been completely dissolved by the solution but have been lifted off from the carpet.
You may also want to run your hands over the carpet to be sure it is clean before putting away the cleaner.
3. Removing Dried Slime with Ice Cubes
The cubes of ice in your refrigerator can play a handy role in the removal of slime. Here is a step-by-step process on how to get slime out of the carpet with ice:
- Coat the entire surface with about 15 cubes of ice.
- Allow the cubes to sit on the surface for about 15 minutes.
- If after this time, the ice doesn’t melt, you then need to rub them over the area or around the slime.
- Use a butter knife to scrape up the slime from the carpet.
4. Use Water and Dish Soap
This is another method to remove dried slime from your carpet. The items you need are a spray bottle, two teaspoons of liquid dish soap, and two cups of warm water.
Here is how to apply:
- Mix the warm water and liquid dish soap in the spray bottle.
- Squirt directly onto the stain.
- Use a paper towel, a nylon brush, or a rag to dab the slime particles out of the carpet.
- Complete the process by making additional dabs with a clean towel dipped in warm water. Dry with a clean, dry rag afterward.
5. Combine Baking Soda and Vinegar to Removed Dried Slime
A combination of white vinegar and baking soda will see the dried slime lifted out of the carpet in a short time. Here is how to put them to good use:
- Sprinkle a little bit of baking soda on the stain.
- Spritz it with a mixture of warm water and white vinegar solution, mixed in a spray bottle.
- Allow the solution to sit for about 15 minutes.
- Get a scrub brush, and gently scrub off the stain.
- Vacuum afterward.
FAQs
1. How to Get Putty out of Carpet?
To get dried slime or putty out of the carpet, make a mixture of warm water and white vinegar, apply to the stained area, allow to sit for about 15 minutes, treat the stain with WD-40 or rubbing alcohol, rinse and dry.
2. What are Alternatives to Using Vinegar for Dried Slime Removal?
If you don’t want to use white vinegar, there are plenty of other options to explore. Examples are WD-40, citrus solvent, goo remover, and isopropyl alcohol.
3. Can I Remove Dried Slime with a Carpet Cleaner?
Yes, you can use a recommended carpet cleaner to remove dried slime. To do this, coat the stain with the cleaner, allow it to sit for 15 minutes, use a nylon brush to scrub the particles, and vacuum the remnants afterward.
Conclusion: Dried Slime can be Removed from Carpet
Kids will always be kids and they tend to drop slime on the floor without notice. However, that shouldn’t cost you sleep, as there are plenty of ways to remove dried slime from your carpet.
If you are not okay with the traditional use of warm water and white vinegar, then be open to trying other “unconventional” methods, such as ice cubes, baking soda with vinegar, and a mixture of liquid dish soap and water.