How to remove slime from hair: 10 best ways to wash slime off a child’s head

Slime mania is exactly what we can call our time. Every child has a slime or slime, but more than one. Unfortunately, this slippery and sticky mass can end up everywhere: on the floor, bed, clothes and, most unpleasantly, on your hair. You can’t just remove the slime, and it’s also difficult to comb it out, because you’ll have to clean almost every hair.

Do you think a haircut will save you? Don't rush to run to the hairdresser or pick up scissors. In our article we will tell you how to remove slime from your hair. And our methods are more humane. In addition, they are perfect for use at home.

What not to do?

First, we’ll tell you what not to do if you have such a problem.

You shouldn’t just rip the slime out of your hair with your hands. As a result, you will only remove the large parts, but the small ones will still remain on the head.
Under no circumstances use various toxic solutions that are sold in chemical stores. Also not your helpers: household chemicals and liquids, such as gasoline and WD-40.
Do not use stain removers. All this can harm the health of children.

The thing is that as soon as they come into contact with the skin, the result can be a chemical burn or an allergic reaction.

However, if there is slime in the hair of an adult , you can try applying nail polish remover or alcohol to a cotton pad. And wipe the stuck pieces of slime with it. You will see how it will quickly dissolve.
Many slimes consist of sodium tetraborate and guar gum, which are highly soluble in alcohol and glycerin. Only after this procedure, be sure to wash your hair with shampoo.

What is slime

Slime is a chewy toy first released by Mattel in 1976. The mass consists of a jelly-like material that has the properties of a non-Newtonian fluid.

The toy is similar to slime, but does not spill, and is easy to shape. The slime looks like a jelly mass. When a child takes it in his hands, he is captured by a viscous colored liquid that relieves stress. The toy is bright, comes in different shades, with or without glitter. Slime attracts children of different ages, sometimes even adults.

It helps relieve nervous tension and distract from sad thoughts. Manipulating mucus develops fine motor skills, thinking, concentration, memory and logic.

There are slimes on sale with foam balls as filler. They click and crunch wonderfully. In addition to balls, slime may also contain many cubes of adsorbent material and toy figures.

Household chemicals

Cleaning methods are determined by the composition and properties of the fabric. In some cases, household chemicals will help. It is designed for natural and synthetic materials, colored and white. It’s easier to remove slime from clothes using proven stain removers: Vanish, Dr. Beckmann. These products cope with various stains and are suitable for many types of fabrics. Apply stain remover to the stained area and leave for 10 minutes. You can wash the slime off your clothes after the product has taken effect. If the stain is old, then add a powder enhancer during washing.

If the cleaning method with broad-spectrum stain removers is not suitable, they resort to specialized chemistry. A product such as RW-40 will help remove slime. This is an automotive lubricant, popularly called “liquid key”. The print is treated with the product, after it has softened, the substance is removed, and the product is washed in the usual way.

RW-40 is solvent-like and should be used with caution

How to delete

When slime gets on your hair, you should not cut it. You can resort to the following methods:

exposure to cold;
vegetable oil;
hair dryer;
makeup remover products;
nail polish remover;
alcohol-based perfumes;
soda slurry;
substances for removing the sticky layer.

Vegetable oil and analogues

You can use sunflower oil or Johnson's Baby when washing your hair. Apply the substance to your curls and comb out the slime with a fine-toothed comb. Afterwards, wash your hair using the standard method. You can also use olive oil.

Freezing

Slime can be frozen with 2 ice cubes. They are applied to the curls and held for 10 minutes. The stringy toy should freeze and be combed out of the hair with a comb. This method is not in demand because it is inferior to others in terms of effectiveness. If there is no ice in the refrigerator, you can use frozen meat, vegetables, and fruits wrapped in a plastic bag. Follow the same procedure as with ice.

Hairdryer

Using hot air, the slime is heated until completely dry. Afterwards, you can crumble it with your hands, comb out the remains and sparkles with a fine comb.

The hair dryer should not be brought too close; the temperature should be slightly above average, as there is a risk of burning your hair.

Makeup removers

Moisten a cotton pad with make-up remover and run it through the curls stained with slime. The procedure will take longer than the above methods. To carefully clean the locks, place the child in a warm bath and periodically rinse the slime with water after treating with makeup remover.

Micellar water

You can wash slime from your hair with any brand of micellar water. Moisten a cotton pad with it and rub the affected area until the slime begins to come off. Residues are removed with a fine-tooth comb.

Nail polish remover

Use acetone to remove slime from hair using the same procedure as in the situation with cosmetics. Treat a cotton pad with nail polish remover and rub it on the stained curls for half an hour.

Regular alcohol-containing perfumes

You can remove slime from your hair with any perfume that contains alcohol. Even cologne is effective. Moisten a cotton ball with perfume and apply it to dirty hair. Rub them until the slime starts to come off.

Soda slurry

Prepare a paste of soda with the addition of 2-3 drops of water. The combination is applied to the hair and combed out with a fine-toothed comb. This method is more suitable for short haircuts.

Freezing

You can remove slime from your hair using cold. To do this, you need to take two ice cubes and apply them to the mixture. When exposed to cold, it becomes hard and can be easily combed out with a fine-toothed comb.

It is especially convenient to do this with a metal comb, which is used by hairdressers.

If there is no ice, ice water is an alternative. Not just cold, you need to keep it in the freezer for 15 minutes so that crystals form.

If the slime stuck to your hair not at home, but during a walk, and there is no access to a freezer, then you can buy frozen semi-finished products in the store. They can also provide a sufficient cooling effect for subsequent removal.

Unchildish ways

Alcohol is an effective way to remove slime from hair. They should wet a cotton pad, place it on the stained hair, and press a little. Keep for 15-20 minutes. Afterwards, brush the strands and wash with shampoo.

Liquid for removing the sticky layer from gel polish

Removing slime from hair with a liquid to remove the sticky layer from gel polish is an unusual technique. Moisten a cotton pad with the product, apply it to the strands, hold for 20 minutes, pressing slightly. If the stained area is small, you can attach the cotton wool with a clothespin to your hair. Afterwards, rinse with water and comb out with a comb.

WD-40

You can remove slime from your hair with car lubricant. It effectively cleans any surface from traces of the sticky toy, not just curls. Soak cotton pads in the solution and keep them on the soiled locks for half an hour. Afterwards, wash off with shampoo and comb out.

If slime gets stuck in your pet's fur

Often the victims of slimes are four-legged fluffies - cats, dogs, guinea pigs, who curiously watch children play with a shapeless lump. When trying to remove the sticky thing from the back, paw or tail, the pets try to escape from the owner’s hands. There are two ways to deal with the problem:

simple - cut off the wool along with the slime;
difficult - try to remove the toy with liquid soap or cold.

All methods that are used to remove slime from children's hair work with animals. The choice of method depends on the length and softness of the fur of your four-legged friend. But even if you have to cut a tuft on your pet’s back or belly, don’t be upset. In a month, the fur will grow back, so there will be no trace of the unpleasant episode.

Method #2: Oil

Oil will help remove slime from your child's hair. This is the so-called grandmother's method. It was used to remove chewing gum very well in the past. Moreover, you can choose any one: both herbal and cosmetic. Some mothers use their usual Johnson's Baby oil. Of course, it is better to take one that does not have a strong odor.

How to use oil?

There is nothing complicated here. You just need to carefully apply the oil to the strand with handgam. Don't skimp on the oil - lubricate it generously. Hold for five minutes. Maybe a little longer. In any case, the oil will not cause any harm to the child’s hair and skin. Then take a comb, oil it too (a little) and start combing, skimming and removing the slime. In this case, it is removed easily, but gradually.

Then you need to wash your hair with shampoo, otherwise it will be greasy and unkempt. The oil washes off well.

Our rating of the method is 5 points: a good option, not harmful to the child, after which you will have to rinse your hair thoroughly. Suitable for both long and short hair.

Folk remedies for removing stains

If you don’t want to take the item to the dry cleaner, use the means at hand to remove dirt. There are effective ways to remove slime from fabric, available at home. The proposed substances and chemicals can be found in every housewife:

Vegetable oil. The method for removing slime from fabric works 100%, since the oils easily soften the slime and help remove it from the fibers. But the method has a significant disadvantage: you will have to wash the greasy stain from the fabric. In this regard, it is better to remove handgam oil from raincoats, leatherette and other easily washed fabrics.
Apple or white vinegar. The product is suitable for cotton or polyester. Lay the fabric out on the surface or place it in a bowl. Pour vinegar over it and wait 20 minutes. Wash the item.
Hydrogen peroxide. For light-colored clothes, peroxide is suitable. This method of removing slime from fabric is not the fastest. You will have to wait until a chemical reaction occurs and the composition softens. Place the stained piece of cloth in a bowl or basin and fill it with peroxide. Wait 20-30 minutes. Wash the item with regular powder. If you don't want to soak, rub peroxide into the fibers with a cotton pad.
Salt and ammonia. To soften the slime, mix salt, ammonia and lemon juice in equal proportions. Wipe a fresh handgum stain with the paste using a brush. If the slime is dry, leave the mixture on the cloth for 20 minutes. Continue rubbing the mixture until the slime particles come off the fibers. The whole procedure takes about half an hour. Finally, wash the fabric.
Soap. Laundry soap is suitable for washing. First, the fabric is thoroughly soaped to form a thick foam. It is left for 40 minutes. Natural acids found in soap break down the elements of slime. Now all that remains is to remove the slime particles with a brush and wash the fabric. Regular toilet soap is not suitable for treating the stained area.
Acetone, thinner, nail polish remover. Solvents work great with fluffy materials. This method of peeling slime from fabric can be called universal. Apply acetone or nail polish remover to a cotton pad and wipe the stained area of the fabric. Do not use solvents on bedding or underwear. The smell of acetone is strong and does not dissipate for a long time. It can also cause irritation if it comes into contact with the body.
Detergents. Dish gels contain active substances that remove even stubborn dirt. Do not use detergents with bright colors or strong odors to avoid damaging the fabric. Apply a thick layer of dish gel to the item after placing the fabric in a bowl. Soak for 2-3 hours, scrub the contaminated area with a brush and wash with regular powder. This method of removing slime from fabric guarantees results without damaging things.
Gasoline, kerosene. Petroleum products work well with slime residues. But this remedy for removing slime from fabric is not suitable for delicate items. It can leave greasy marks and corrode fibers, so for silk, wool and other delicate fabrics it is better to choose gentle chemicals. If you decide to scrub the slime with gasoline, take a piece of unnecessary fabric and blot it with gasoline or kerosene. Squeeze out the excess and wipe the stained area thoroughly. When the traces of handgum disappear, wash the item with regular powder.
Alcohol. This method of removing slime from fabric is also suitable for delicate fabrics. Alcohol does not harm the fibers, so it can even be used to clean silk, wool, organza and other delicate fabrics. Apply alcohol to the contaminated surface and rub gently. Work to soften the slime particles and gradually remove them from the fibers. Soak the dried slime in alcohol for 15 minutes, then proceed with the procedure.
Soda. A solution of baking soda or a paste of it helps to cope with homemade slimes. Dissolve 2-3 tablespoons of soda in a small amount of water or prepare a wet soda paste. Soak the cloth in a soda solution or rub the paste into the dirty piece of cloth. Leave the fabric in this position for half an hour. Wash the item with powder.
Salt. This method of removing slime from fabric works less effectively than baking soda, but is suitable for any thing. Apply the salt paste to the stained area and leave for 0.5-1 hour. Wash the item with a brush, then with washing powder. You can combine salt with ammonia to remove greasy stains.
Isopropyl alcohol. This substance acts faster than regular alcohol. Apply it with a swab or cotton pad to the stained area and rub gently. Wait 15 minutes and start washing. Alcohol copes with fresh marks and is suitable even for delicate items.

The methods indicated on how to peel slime from fabric are proven and work well with any fabric.

Slime composition

Slime, bought in a store and not prepared at home, consists of polymer molecules - a substance that can form peculiar strings (something like spaghetti).
They are tightly bonded with sodium tetraborate (about 2% in the composition), a derivative of boric acid. They make the slime elastic, soft and relatively durable. The color of the slime depends on what food coloring the manufacturer used in the composition. Distilled or purified water is also used for its production.

Reference! All of the listed substances are harmless for household use, unless, of course, you violate the recommendations for use.

Step-by-step instruction

There are a number of methods designed to remove slime stains from clothes. Most of the techniques presented are universal and suitable for all types of fabrics, with the exception of very thin and delicate materials.

The thermal cleansing method is suitable for:

denim,
linen,
terry,
cotton fabrics.

It is enough to soak the item at a temperature of about 80-90°C and leave for 2-3 hours. After this, the clothes are washed in the usual way using any powder or stain remover.

After 3-4 hours, the jelly-like mass will harden and all that remains is to remove it with a knife or scissors. The main thing here is to act very carefully so as not to pierce the fabric.

If the stain is small, you can simply place a few ice cubes on the dirty area, wait until they melt, remove the remaining slime mechanically and start washing.

Folk remedies

The following household products will also help you deal with slime stains on clothes:

Lemon juice, ammonia and salt. The ingredients must be mixed in equal proportions and rubbed into the stained area with a stiff clothes brush, trying to penetrate as deeply into the fabric structure as possible. The optimal exposure time is from 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the age of the stain.

Laundry soap is perhaps the most economical and effective method, which is also suitable for all types of fabric. To remove the slime, grind the soap using a fine grater, add a little water to make a porridge-like mixture. The resulting composition is applied to the site of contamination. After half an hour, the clothes are washed in the usual way by hand. This method is very effective, but for old stains, the procedure will have to be repeated several times to achieve the desired result.

Ethyl alcohol is one of the easiest ways to remove traces of slime. It is enough to apply the product in an amount of 2-3 tbsp. on the stain, then wash the item in warm water.

Hydrogen peroxide. Soak a cotton swab in peroxide and press firmly onto the stain. The active ingredients of this product have the ability to dissolve even deeply ingrained particles of the polymer from which the slime is made

Half an hour will be enough to remove even the most difficult, old stains. Carefully! This method is only suitable for cleaning light, white fabrics due to the bleaching effect of peroxide.

Acetone is great for cleaning fleecy fabrics, with the exception of natural fur. To remove traces of slime, simply treat the material with a cloth soaked in acetone and leave for 5-10 minutes. This method is not applicable to things that have direct contact with the body, because

Strong acetone particles are also difficult to wash out upon contact with the skin; it is possible that the remaining substances may cause irritation.

Dish soap works well for removing fresh stains left by slime. You need to slightly wet the cloth, apply dishwashing detergent to it and wait about 20 minutes. After the specified time, wash the item in cool water.

Gasoline is characterized by the presence of pronounced solvent properties. This product can remove any stain, regardless of how old it is. Please note: gasoline has a negative effect on the quality of fabric, so it is recommended to use this method only in exceptional cases and for treating not too expensive items. Before the procedure, you should conduct a test by applying a little gasoline to a piece of cloth and leaving it for a while. The method of application is extremely simple: treat the slime stain with a cotton swab soaked in gasoline and wash it off after 10 minutes.

Wine or apple cider vinegar is applied to the area of contamination. The optimal exposure time is 15-30 minutes. Suitable for polyester, cotton fabrics in light colors.

Folk remedies are most effective in removing fresh stains from slime. If the mark left by the toy is old, then to achieve the desired result you will have to repeat the procedure several times.

Precautionary measures

When removing viscous material, you should remember certain rules. Precautionary measures help avoid unpleasant consequences. It is important to use protective equipment, such as rubber gloves. It is necessary to avoid contact of the substances used with mucous membranes and organs of vision.

To prevent sticking of viscous material, you must:

store the toy in a closed container (in the refrigerator);
explain to children the rules for handling slime;
braid your hair when playing.

Attention! Do not leave slime on the carpet or sofa. It is not advisable to throw the viscous mass and take it to bed.

Can hand gum be washed off if it is stuck to fabric?

So, situation number one - my third-grader sister came home from school with slime, and at the same time with a stain from this slime on her school uniform. Accordingly, there is no joy from the slime, mom swears, and the toy went into the trash. So that you don’t have such worries, here are ways to remove slime from clothes:

First you need to remove everything that is possible mechanically. To do this, put the item in the freezer and leave it overnight. We take it out and use some sharp object to scrape off the remaining slime. Of course, you need to be very careful not to inadvertently rub a hole in your clothes.
We take the next step depending on the type of fabric on which the slime fell. If you want to know how to clean slime from clothes made of natural fabric (cotton, linen, wool), you need to get 70% ethyl alcohol. Pour alcohol over the stain and treat it with a paper napkin. This way you can remove slime from clothes instantly.
If you are more interested in how to clean slime from clothes made of synthetic fabrics, you need to stock up on RV-40 spray (sold in car stores). Apply the spray to the stain, wait a couple of minutes and wipe off with a paper napkin.
After the above procedures, there will still be a stain on the clothes, then you can wash the slime in a washing machine. How to wash slime? We set the temperature to the highest possible temperature for this type of fabric, add stain removers (for example Vanish or Dr. Beckmann) and wash.

This is the most accurate answer to the question of how to remove slime from clothes, but there are several other ways, for example, applying dishwashing detergent and then washing or taking the items to the dry cleaner.

A very effective way to remove slime from fabrics is to change the temperature. However, before removing the slime, you should carefully study the instructions on the item’s label, because, for example, delicate fabrics do not tolerate treatment with hot water.

If you mean classic washing in a machine or by hand, with soap or powder, then this is hardly possible. The fact is that the viscous jelly-like consistency of slime is capable of sticking to any surface.

Slime has the properties of a non-Newtonian fluid - if you knead it in your hands, it more or less holds its shape. If left alone, it spreads, taking the shape of the surface on which it lies. In the case of clothing, it will flow deep into the fabric and be absorbed into the fibers.

The longer the slime is on clothing, the more it penetrates into the fibers.

Cleaning Features

First of all, you need to remove the slime manually: rub the stain that appears in the direction from the edge to the center so that the dirt does not become larger. It is best to take a hard brush, but not a metal one, so as not to damage the fabric. To remove stains from thick, picky material (jeans, trousers, shorts, jackets), you can also use a nail file or a dull knife. If preliminary cleaning is not carried out, the slime is more likely to spread further, in which case it will be impossible to save the product.

After mechanical treatment, you should proceed to the main stage of removing contaminants: cleaning using the chosen method. The active substance will help dissolve the slime and remove it from the fibers of the material.

Colored fabrics should also not be treated with alcohol, solvents, acetone, hot air, or boiling water, otherwise the damaged area may fade.

Sometimes it is better not to try to wash the product yourself, but to use dry cleaning services. You need to do this if none of the methods help. It is also not recommended to try to clean clothes from famous brands made from expensive fabrics, natural fur, carpets, rugs, fur coats, jackets and furniture covers on your own.

It is very difficult to remove stains from silk and satin without causing harm to them. It is also worth using dry cleaning services if the slime stains are already several weeks or even months old.

Next, you need to wash off the remaining traces of the slime and the smell of the products used. This can be done by washing in an automatic machine or by hand.

When using aggressive household chemicals, do not forget about protection: thick household gloves, a medical mask. If caustic professional products come into contact with the skin or mucous membranes, you must immediately rinse the damaged area with clean water; in especially serious cases, it is better to consult a doctor.

To get rid of both the remaining substance and the unsightly stain, wash the carpet in the following sequence:

Perform mechanical cleaning with a scraper or knife. You should try to remove as much of the mucus as possible.
Apply any of the selected products and leave for half an hour, then clean with a soft brush from the edge to the center so as not to rub the stain over a large area.
Treat the stain with a sponge or rag soaked in warm water - this will remove any remaining slime and cleaning products.
Blot the cleaned area with a dry cloth or towel. It is better to leave it on the stain for a few minutes so that it absorbs as much liquid as possible.
Dry the area to be cleaned with a hairdryer.

Almost any stain on the carpet can be removed in this way, but it is recommended to first study the composition and characteristics of the pile - this may affect the choice of products.

Before you begin removal, put on gloves, regardless of what cleaning substances you will use - traditional or official, this way you will protect your skin from irritation.

Laundry soap foam cleans slime marks well

If it is not possible to use professional cleaning agents, it is permissible to use folk remedies

But do this with caution, first checking on an inconspicuous part to see if the composition will harm the carpet. This is especially true for cleaning products made from natural pile, wool, suede and silk threads.

Helps in removing stains:

laundry soap;
hydrogen peroxide;
soda, vinegar and washing powder;
starch and chalk;
tea leaves (only for dark carpets);
sawdust and gasoline;
solvent;
lemon juice, ammonia and sea salt.

To get rid of slime residue, mix water, baking soda, vinegar and laundry detergent in a 2:1:1:1 ratio. Spray on dirt with a spray bottle and rub with a piece of cloth from the center to the edges.

Gasoline, thinner and a mixture of lemon juice, salt and ammonia will easily remove the stain. But in order not to damage the pile, do not leave the substance on it for a long time and use only the amount necessary to moisten the stain. It will take 10-15 minutes to absorb into the structure, after which products such as vinegar, gasoline and thinner must be wiped off, otherwise they will remove the color.