How to Get Slime Out of Clothes

Learn how to get slime out of clothes using simple household items. This step-by-step guide covers fresh and dried slime removal from fabric without ruining the garment.

Slime and clothes are a combination that happens constantly and feels catastrophic in the moment. Whether it is fresh slime that just landed on a school uniform or dried slime you discovered days later stuck to a shirt, the fix is more manageable than it looks. Getting slime out of clothes does not require special products or trips to the dry cleaner. Most of the time, things you already have at home handle it just fine.

Step 1: Let Fresh Slime Dry First

This is counterintuitive, but trying to wipe fresh slime off fabric immediately makes things worse. Wet slime spreads and pushes deeper into the fibers as you rub it.

Let it sit and dry for at least 30 minutes. Once it hardens, it peels and scrapes away much more cleanly without spreading the stain further.

Step 2: Remove as Much Slime as Possible

Once the slime has dried, remove the bulk of it before treating the stain.

Use a butter knife, spoon, or stiff brush to gently scrape the dried slime off the fabric
Work from the outside edges of the stain toward the center to avoid spreading it
Peel away any large pieces by hand

Do not rub. Scrape and lift. Rubbing at this stage pushes the residue deeper into the weave of the fabric.

Step 3: Apply White Vinegar or Rubbing Alcohol

After removing the bulk of the slime, there is usually a sticky residue or stain left behind. White vinegar and rubbing alcohol both break down the polymer bonds in slime effectively.

White vinegar method:

Pour undiluted white vinegar directly onto the stained area
Let it soak for 5 to 10 minutes
Use an old toothbrush to scrub the area in small circular motions
Rinse with warm water

Rubbing alcohol method:

Dab rubbing alcohol onto the stain using a cloth or cotton ball
Let it sit for a few minutes
Scrub gently with a toothbrush
Rinse with warm water

Both methods work well. White vinegar is gentler on delicate fabrics. Rubbing alcohol works faster on stubborn dried stains.

Step 4: Treat Any Remaining Color Stain

Some slimes contain dye that leaves a color stain even after the slime itself is gone. Glitter slime, colored slime, and slime with pigment added all have the potential to leave a mark on light-colored fabric.

For color stains, apply a small amount of dish soap or laundry pre-treatment directly to the area. Work it in with your fingers or a soft brush and let it sit for 10 minutes before washing.

Hydrogen peroxide works on white or light-colored fabrics for stubborn color stains. Test it on a hidden area of the garment first to make sure it does not affect the color of the fabric.

Step 5: Wash the Garment

Once you have treated the stain, wash the garment as you normally would following the care label instructions. Use warm water if the fabric allows it. Warm water helps release any remaining residue better than cold.

Check the stain before putting the garment in the dryer. If any stain remains, treat it again before drying. Heat from the dryer sets stains permanently, making them much harder to remove afterward.

Tips for Specific Types of Slime

Glitter slime: The glitter itself is harmless to fabric but can be stubborn. A lint roller after washing picks up any remaining pieces.
Fluffy slime: Contains shaving cream which makes it slightly easier to remove than standard slime. The vinegar method works well here.
Magnetic or metallic slime: May contain iron filings. Shake off as much as possible before treating with vinegar or alcohol.
Store-bought slime: Often more saturated with color than homemade versions. Pre-treat the color stain directly before washing.

The Short Answer

To get slime out of clothes, let it dry first, scrape away the bulk, then treat the residue with white vinegar or rubbing alcohol using a toothbrush. Address any remaining color stain with dish soap or a laundry pre-treater, then wash on warm. Always check the stain before drying since heat sets it permanently. Most slime stains come out completely with this approach even if they have been sitting for a day or two.