How to Get Slime Out of Clothes: Different Ways

Slime is fun to play with—until it ends up smeared into your favorite shirt or embedded in your kid’s school pants. This squishy, sticky substance might be a hit with kids, but it’s a nightmare when it attaches itself to fabric. The good news? You don’t have to throw those clothes away. With the right approach, you can get slime out of clothes and restore them to their original state.

This guide breaks down different ways to remove slime from clothing using common household items and techniques. Whether you’re dealing with freshly dropped goo or a dried-on mess, these methods can help you clean up the chaos.

Understanding Slime and Why It Sticks

Slime is made from a combination of glue (usually polyvinyl acetate), water, and a slime activator like borax or liquid starch. Its stickiness is what makes it appealing to play with—but that same texture also makes it cling stubbornly to fabric fibers. If the slime contains glitter, food coloring, or scented oils, removal becomes even more challenging.

General Tips Before You Begin

Test a Small Area First

Before using any cleaning product or method, test it on a hidden area of the garment to check for colorfastness.

Work Quickly, but Gently

The sooner you start the cleaning process, the better your chances of success. But don’t be aggressive—scrubbing too hard can embed the slime deeper or damage delicate fibers.

Method 1: Ice and Scrape

This method is perfect for fresh, sticky slime.

What You’ll Need

• Ice cubes or a freezer
• Butter knife or spoon
• Mild dish soap
• Warm water

Steps

1. Place a few ice cubes in a ziplock bag and apply them directly over the slime. Alternatively, freeze the entire garment for about 20–30 minutes.
2. Once the slime hardens, gently scrape off as much as you can using a butter knife or spoon.
3. Mix warm water with a few drops of dish soap.
4. Dab the area with a clean cloth soaked in the soapy water.
5. Rinse with clean water and air dry.

Method 2: Vinegar Soak

This method works best for dried slime or glitter slime.

What You’ll Need

• White vinegar
• Old toothbrush or soft brush
• Warm water
• Towel

Steps

1. Lay the stained clothing on a towel.
2. Pour white vinegar directly on the slime.
3. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes to loosen the slime’s grip.
4. Gently scrub with a toothbrush or soft brush.
5. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
6. Launder as usual.

Method 3: Rubbing Alcohol Treatment

This is a good approach for tough or colored slime stains.

What You’ll Need

• Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)
• Cotton balls or cloth
• Mild detergent
• Warm water

Steps

1. Soak a cotton ball or cloth in rubbing alcohol.
2. Dab (don’t rub) the stained area to dissolve the slime.
3. Repeat until the slime begins to lift.
4. Rinse with warm water.
5. Wash the clothing with regular detergent.

Method 4: Dish Soap and Baking Soda Combo

This technique helps if you’re dealing with oily or colored slime.

What You’ll Need

• Dish soap
• Baking soda
• Warm water
• Toothbrush

Steps

1. Mix a teaspoon of dish soap with a tablespoon of baking soda.
2. Apply the mixture directly to the stain.
3. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
4. Scrub gently with a toothbrush.
5. Rinse and repeat if necessary.
6. Wash as usual.

Method 5: Laundry Pre-Treatment Spray

Some commercial laundry pre-treatment sprays are formulated to remove protein-based and synthetic stains, including slime.

What You’ll Need

• Laundry stain remover
• Washing machine

Steps

1. Spray the slime stain with the pre-treatment solution.
2. Let it sit for the time specified on the product label.
3. Wash the garment using the warmest setting recommended for the fabric.

Method 6: Hand Sanitizer Fix

If you’re in a pinch and have no rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer with a high alcohol content can work.

What You’ll Need

• Hand sanitizer
• Clean rag or paper towel
• Water

Steps

1. Squeeze hand sanitizer onto the slime stain.
2. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
3. Wipe off with a cloth.
4. Rinse thoroughly with water and launder.

Method 7: Acetone (Use with Caution)

For stubborn slime embedded into durable fabric, acetone (like nail polish remover) may help.

What You’ll Need

• Acetone (non-colored)
• Cotton pad
• Water

Steps

1. Apply a small amount of acetone using a cotton pad.
2. Gently dab the stain—don’t rub.
3. Rinse thoroughly to remove residue.
4. Wash with detergent.
5. Air dry and inspect.

Avoid using acetone on delicate or synthetic fabrics, as it can damage them.

Bonus Method: Vinegar and Cornstarch Paste

This gentle paste is ideal for delicate garments.

What You’ll Need

• White vinegar
• Cornstarch
• Warm water

Steps

1. Mix equal parts vinegar and cornstarch to form a paste.
2. Spread the paste over the slime-stained area.
3. Let it sit until dry (about 30–45 minutes).
4. Scrape off the dried paste.
5. Rinse and wash as usual.

What to Do After Cleaning

Once you’ve removed the slime, inspect the fabric under good lighting. If there’s any color staining or residue, repeat the cleaning process. Avoid using a dryer until you’re sure the stain is completely gone—heat can set it permanently.

Preventing Future Slime Stains

Establish a Play Zone

Encourage kids to play with slime on hard, non-porous surfaces like a kitchen table or tray.

Dress for Mess

Have your children wear old clothes or aprons during slime time.

Store Slime Properly

Keep slime in a sealed container to prevent spills or accidental transfers to clothing.

What to Avoid

• Hot water initially, as it can cause slime to melt deeper into fibers.
• Bleach, unless the garment is white and bleach-safe.
• Over-scrubbing, which can damage the fabric and spread the stain.
• Heat-drying before the stain is fully removed.

Final Words

Getting slime out of clothes can be frustrating, but it’s definitely not impossible. Whether you’re facing fresh goo or a stubborn dried-on mess, the right approach can make all the difference. From natural solutions like vinegar and baking soda to common household products like dish soap and rubbing alcohol, you have multiple options to tackle the mess effectively.

By acting fast and using the right method for your fabric type and stain level, you can save your clothes from being ruined. And with a few preventative habits, you might even avoid future slime disasters altogether.

Take a deep breath, gather your tools, and rescue that favorite T-shirt—it’s worth it.