Keeping your house looking clean these school holidays might be more complicated than usual.
‘Slime’ and slime toys are all the rage at the moment, and it’s lots of fun for the kids, but slime can be tacky, sticky, and tends to get everywhere.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: How to remove slime from carpets, clothes and hair
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It’s not the sort of cleaning conundrum your parents would have taught you how to solve. So, to help us work out how to keep our homes mess-free, cleaning and home-organising expert Anita Birges shared her top tips on Sunrise on Friday.
What you need
The essentials are all likely already in your home. Depending on your situation, you will need white vinegar, dish soap, laundry detergent, and hair conditioner or detangler.
Ice, cloths, a toothbrush, and towels are also recommended.
What if slime gets on the carpet?
First, when the stain is fresh, scoop off as much of the slime as possible, with a spoon or a blunt scraper. If the slime is stubborn, chuck some ice in a zip-lock bag and hold it on the area to firm it up.
Next, spray the area with one part white vinegar and two parts water. Blot – don’t rub – the area with a clean cloth.
For extra-stubborn slimes, you may need to add a small amount of dish soap. Blot and then clean the area with water to remove any more residue. After that, you’ll be able to vacuum up the excess.
When slime gets on clothes?
Similar to the above, scrape off as much of the slime as possible, with a spoon or blunt scraper.
Apply white vinegar and work it in with your hands or a toothbrush. Rinse, then apply a stain removal paste or liquid laundry detergent.
If the stain is older, you might want to start by holding ice in a zip-lock bag against the stain, to firm it up. Then scrape and follow the above steps.
Once you’ve done what you can, wash the clothing item, per the info on the label. Be careful before chucking it in the dryer though, as the heat could set any remaining stains.
When slime gets in your hair
Don’t get the scissors out just yet.
Start by getting as much of the slime out of the hair as possible. Then work conditioner or detangler through the slime. Use your fingers and a wide-tooth comb to remove the slime. Start from the bottom and work your way up.
Rinse and shampoo as normal. If it’s stubborn slime, it may need a second or third wash.
Stopping the stains before they happen
Anita’s top tip is to get the kids playing with slime in the garage or outside. Ideally, use a trestle table with a plastic cover on top. That way, when the slime goes rogue, any surfaces can be easily hosed down.
