How to Remove Slime from Carpet

It’s all fun and games until the slime winds up on the carpet.

Creating slime is child’s play. But in-the-know parents get anxious watching the colorful ball of goop make its way from room to room. That’s because when slime goes “splat” it can quickly stain carpeting, leaving a vivid, sticky mess that can feel impossible to clean.

The trouble with slime is in its makeup. Slime is typically made of glue, borax, baking soda, and additives like food coloring and glitter, which each pose cleaning challenges on their own. When combined into slime, the mess could be called the ultimate cleaning test for carpeting.

But with the right tools, including the use of HydroSteam® Technology, which helps lift sticky, stuck-on messes, you can easily clean slime. In this guide, we’ll explore how to get slime out of carpet, whether it’s fresh or dried, so your carpet looks as good as new.

Understanding the challenge of removing slime from carpet

Getting slime out of carpet can feel like a science experiment of its own: this gooey substance can easily stick to carpet fibers and harden and stain if not removed quickly. Taking a closer look at why it’s hard to get slime out of carpet can help you understand the proper cleaning techniques. Let’s take examine the science behind slime.

Why removing slime is difficult

Removing slime from carpets can be a tricky task. Its sticky texture clings to carpet fibers, and ingredients such as food coloring and glitter can also stain and damage carpet. If slime dries on carpet, it can be even more difficult to break apart and remove.

Importance of prompt and proper treatment

Acting quickly is vital to preventing slime from embedding deeply into carpet and reducing the chance of permanent staining. Swift action also ensures the slime doesn’t harden, as fresh slime that’s still wet is much easier to remove.

Step-by-step guide to removing slime from carpet

Wondering how to remove slime from carpet? Fortunately, there are several methods that can work, with carpet cleaning machines outperforming DIY solutions.

Upright carpet cleaner method

Sticky messes are best treated with steam. The Revolution® HydroSteam® Pet Carpet Cleaner uses HydroSteam® Technology to quickly loosen stubborn, stuck-on messes.
To clean slime, you’ll first set the machine to Steam Pretreat Mode, going over the slime for 20 to 30 seconds, then you’ll switch to SteamWash™ Max Mode, which utilizes suction and HydroSteam® Technology of steam, cleaning formula, and water to fully clean the area.

Here are more detailed instructions on how to clean slime out of carpet with a carpet cleaner.

Materials needed

• Revolution® HydroSteam® Pet Carpet Cleaner
• BISSELL® PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator formula
• Clean towels
• Butter knife or spoon

Step 1: Scoop up as much as you can with butter knife or spoon

Start by removing as much slime as possible with a butter knife or spoon, working carefully to avoid damaging carpet fibers.

Step 2: Set up the carpet cleaner

Fill the clean water tank of your Revolution® HydroSteam® Pet Carpet Cleaner with warm water up to the fill line, then add BISSELL® PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator up to the formula line.

Step 3: Turn on Steam Pretreat Mode

After your machine has heated up and the Steam Ready light is on, glide the foot back and forth over the slime stain. Doing so will allow the HydroSteam® Technology droplets to penetrate the slime and break up the sticky mess from the carpet fibers. Stay in Steam Pretreat Mode for 20 to 30 seconds. This pretreat step helps prep the sticky slime for a deep clean.

Step 4: Switch to SteamWash™ Max Clean Mode

Move your machine to SteamWash™ Max Clean Mode. This is the carpet cleaner’s standard cleaning mode. Press the trigger to release cleaning solution as you slowly move forward and back over the stain. The brush roll will gently agitate the carpet, loosening the stain. Release the trigger and make one dry pass over the area. This time, the suction will extract the cleaning formula and slime.

Step 5: Repeat if needed

For stubborn, stuck-on messes like slime, you may need to repeat the process by going over the area several times to fully remove the mess.

Step 6: Allow the carpet to dry

Once the stain has been removed, you can go back over the area without holding the trigger to extract any residual liquid from the carpet. Then, allow the area to air dry. Avoid walking on the carpet for four to six hours, or until it is fully dry. To speed up the drying time, open a window, turn on a fan, or run your AC or heating.

Homemade vinegar and baking soda method

When slime lands on your carpet and a portable carpet cleaner isn’t available, you may be tempted to try a DIY cleaning solution like a homemade vinegar and baking soda mixture. However, these methods aren’t guaranteed to work. Slime is made from ingredients vinegar and baking soda can’t always remove, including white glue, food coloring, and Borate ions. What’s more, baking soda can leave hard-to-remove clumps in your carpet, and neither baking soda nor vinegar are effective at removing stains.

Read more about why our chemists don’t recommend DIY cleaning formulas.

Materials needed

• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Spray bottle
• Clean cloths

Step 1: Apply baking soda

Sprinkle baking soda over the slime.

Step 2: Spray with vinegar solution

Mix 2 parts vinegar to 1 part water in a spray bottle and lightly mist the area.

Step 3: Scrub gently

Use a clean cloth to lift the slime from the carpet fibers. Repeat until there is no slime left. Avoid scrubbing to avoid working further into carpet fibers.

Step 4: Rinse and dry

Blot the area with a damp cloth to remove residue, then dry with a towel. Ensure no baking soda remains, as it can leave a gritty residue.

Ice cube technique

Some people use ice cubes to try to get slime out of carpet. Placing ice cubes over slime can freeze and harden the glue in slime, making it lose its sticky, gooey texture. The brittle material can then be chipped away. However, while ice cubes can remove the majority of the slime material, they won’t get rid of stains caused by food coloring.

Materials needed

• Ice cubes
• Butter knife or spoon
• Clean towels

Step 1: Freeze the slime

Place ice cubes over the slime to harden it. This works best for wet or semi-dry slime.

Step 2: Scrape gently

One the slime freezes, use a butter knife or spoon to scrape off the hardened slime. Work carefully to avoid damaging carpet fibers.

Step 3: Blot residual stains

If any stain remains, use a damp cloth to blot the area. Use warm water for best results.

Using hydrogen peroxide to lift lingering stains

If you are able to remove most of the slime with one of the above DIY methods, you may still have discoloration from the food coloring. Some people try using hydrogen peroxide to lift and remove the stain. However, results may vary, as they haven’t been lab tested.

Many BISSELL® formulas contain the stain-removing power of hydrogen peroxide. These cleaning solutions are designed and tested to safely remove slime from carpet. (One favorite is BISSELL® PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator formula).

“Our peroxide-containing formulas also have cleaning boosters and wetting agents, which allow the hydrogen peroxide to penetrate soils in a way peroxide alone would not,” says Jay Kellis, Principal Chemist at BISSELL.

Materials needed

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Warm water
• Cotton swabs or cloths

Step 1: Create a solution

Mix a solution that’s half warm water and half hydrogen peroxide.

Step 2: Test for colorfastness

Apply the hydrogen peroxide to an inconspicuous area first. Watch the carpet to ensure the color doesn’t fade.

Step 3: Treat the stain

If the carpet appears colorfast, dab the peroxide solution on the stain with a cloth.

Step 4: Rinse thoroughly and dry

Use clean water to rinse the peroxide solution from the cloth, then blot the area with the damp cloth to remove any residual solution. Blot with a dry cloth to dry the area. Ensure all peroxide is removed to prevent long-term discoloration.

Preventive measures

The best way to keep slime out of your carpet is to prevent this sticky situation in the first place. Follow these preventive measures to keep your carpets slime-free.

Designate slime-free zones

Designate specific areas for slime play, like tiled surfaces or mats that are easier to clean.

Use protective mats and covers

Use washable play mats or carpet protectors in play areas to minimize risk.

Find alternative entertainment

Encourage slime-free activities to keep carpets clean.

Conclusion

While slime is a fun playtime activity for children, the aftermath can be frustrating to deal with, especially if this gooey mess lands on your carpet. To remove slime from carpet, use a portable carpet cleaner with HydroSteam® Technology and carpet cleaning formula. This winning combination can effectively remove stuck-on messes like slime. The key is to act fast before the slime hardens and becomes more difficult to remove.

Recap of key steps and methods

Use a portable carpet cleaner with HydroSteam® Technology to best remove slime from carpet. Slowly move over the slime using the steam, brush roll, and carpet cleaner formula to gently loosen the slime avoid pushing it deeper into your carpet.
Some people use DIY solutions such as baking soda and vinegar or ice cubes to get slime out of carpet, but these methods are not lab-tested, and results may vary.

Final tips for maintaining carpet cleanliness

To maintain your carpets beyond slime messes, following a regular maintenance schedule and tackling spills when they happen can keep your carpets fresh. Vacuum at least once a week to remove loose dirt, dust, crumbs, and pet hair. When spills and accidents happen, act fast and always blot instead of scrubbing to avoid pushing stains deeper into your carpet or rugs. Deep clean every few months with a carpet cleaner to remove deep-set dirt and odors.

FAQ

What is the best stain remover for slime?

The best way to remove slime and slime stains is a carpet cleaner that heats the water and formula. The Revolution® HydroSteam® Carpet Cleaner uses HydroSteam® Technology to loosen stuck-on stains, including slime, while BISSELL® PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator Formula helps remove the slime material for good.

Does rubbing alcohol get slime out of carpet?

Rubbing alcohol might be able to get slime out of carpet. However, this method is not lab-tested, so results can vary. To avoid damaging your carpet, always test an inconspicuous area first. To use rubbing alcohol to remove slime from carpet, dab a small amount of 70% rubbing alcohol or higher and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, blot and wipe clean.

What will dissolve slime?

Several products can be used to dissolve slime and make it easier to remove from carpet. The best dissolving agent is a carpet cleaning formula, such as BISSELL® PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator, which can remove tough, stuck-on messes like slime, embedded dirt, and debris. Some DIY solutions might be able to dissolve slime, such as a vinegar and baking soda solution or hydrogen peroxide, but results can vary. If you use a DIY solution to remove slime, test on your carpet in an inconspicuous area to avoid damage.

Can I use hydrogen peroxide to get slime out of carpet?

Hydrogen peroxide might be able to get slime out of carpet. In some cases, hydrogen peroxide can help fade stains but may discolor your carpet. Because hydrogen peroxide by itself is not a lab-tested solution, it’s best to use a store-bought spray stain remover designed to lift and remove stains without damaging your carpet. Many BISSELL® formulas – including PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator formula - contain the stain-removing power of hydrogen peroxide along with other ingredients carefully measured out for maximum cleaning power.