Can’t Remove Slime from Your Child’s Clothes? Follow This Step‑by‑step Cleanup

Slime is a great sensory play for children. But for parents, that same squishy, stretchy substance that keeps your child happily occupied for hours can quickly become your biggest laundry headache. The combination of glue, food coloring, glitter, and even shaving cream makes slime one of the most stubborn messes to tackle in laundry. And if you’ve ever tried to pick dried slime out of fabric with your fingers or scrub it out with hot water, you already know it’s not that simple.

But the good thing is, most slime messes can be cleaned, even if they’ve dried or been sitting overnight. The key is using the proper technique in the right order. So here’s how to break down the slime and get your child’s clothes back to normal.

Step 1: Gently Scrape Off the Excess

Before you reach for the cleaning supplies, your first priority is to remove as much of the slime as possible without spreading it further. Use a butter knife, a spoon, or even a dull-edged credit card to gently lift the bulk of the slime off the surface of the fabric.

• Do not rub or scrub at this stage, you’ll only work the slime deeper into the fibers.
• If the slime is extra sticky, place the item in a plastic bag and freeze it for 10–15 minutes. Once it’s hardened, it will peel off more easily.

This step is all about patience. The more you can remove now, the easier it’ll be to treat what’s left behind.

Step 2: Soak the Area in White Vinegar

White vinegar is an incredibly effective, natural solution for breaking down the sticky glue component found in most homemade slimes. It’s gentle on fabrics like cotton, polyester, and linen, and it won’t discolor most clothing if used properly.

• Lay the item flat over a clean towel or sink.
• Saturate the slime-affected area with white vinegar.
• Let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes.

After soaking, use your fingers or a soft brush to gently work the vinegar into the fabric. This helps loosen the slime at a molecular level.

Step 3: Rinse with Cold Water

After treating the stain with vinegar, it’s time to rinse. Turn the fabric inside out or hold it under cold water from the back side of the stain. This pushes the broken-down slime out of the fibers rather than forcing it deeper in.

Why cold water? Hot water may seem like it would help, but it can actually cause slime’s glue and coloring to set, especially if glitter or dye is involved.

• Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear.
• Gently squeeze out excess moisture, don’t wring or twist the fabric.

Step 4: Apply Liquid Dish Soap or Laundry Detergent

Now that the gluey parts are out, it’s time to tackle any remaining residue or discoloration. Apply a drop or two of liquid dish soap or a gentle laundry detergent directly onto the affected area.

• Rub in the soap with your fingers or use a soft-bristled brush.
• Let it sit for another 5 to 10 minutes.

Dish soap is especially good for lifting any oily ingredients (like lotion or shaving cream) that may have been part of the slime recipe. Detergent works well for breaking down lingering particles and prepping the garment for machine washing.

Step 5: Machine Wash on a Cold, Gentle Cycle

Once pretreated, wash the clothing on a cold, gentle cycle with a mild detergent. Cold water continues to prevent setting while also helping to rinse away any loosened particles from the treatment process.

• Do not add bleach or fabric softener.
• Avoid throwing multiple stained items into the same load this could lead to cross-contamination.

If your laundry setup includes a mesh garment bag, consider using it to protect delicate items or clothing with multiple layers, like hoodies or frilled dresses.

Step 6: Air Dry Flat (Don’t Use the Dryer Yet)

This is where many people go wrong, throwing the garment into the dryer before confirming the slime stain is completely gone. The heat from a dryer can permanently set the stain and make future removal nearly impossible.

• Lay the clothing flat on a clean, dry towel.
• Avoid hanging, which can cause stretching or distortion in some fabrics.
• Let it air dry completely, then re-inspect.

If you still see signs of the stain after drying, repeat the process from the vinegar soak before washing again.

Save That Slime Stained Shirt with a Visit to Twin Peaks Dry Cleaning. Call Us Today for All Your Dry Cleaning Needs!

Tried everything and still stuck on that slimy thing on your clothes? Don’t stress, Twin Peaks Dry Cleaning offers reliable, on-site cleaning and pressing, providing meticulous care for all garments. Our expert stain removal process targets even the toughest messes, yes, even glittery, gluey slime, without damaging delicate fabrics. Because every step happens right here in our store, we keep full control over quality, turnaround time, and competitive pricing.

For over 18 years, we’ve been Tucson’s trusted name in dry cleaning, proudly serving the Continental Ranch, Sunflower, and Saguaro Bloom neighborhoods.

Have questions or want to schedule a service? Drop in and see us!

Our location:

📍 9110 N. Silverbell Rd., Suite 160 Tucson, AZ 58743

You can also call at 520-744-9310 or send us an email at twinpeaksdrycleaners@gmail.com.

🕒 Open Monday & Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM  | Tuesday - Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Saturday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM