Your Kid's Slime-Stained Clothes Don't Stand A Chance Against One Kitchen Staple

Lately, slime has taken over every kid's imagination. Primarily made of glue and coloring dyes, this squishy, gooey mix gives kids free rein to create unique pieces and is extremely fun to experiment with. On the other hand, the stain slime leaves behind on kid's clothes has become a part of every parent's laundry nightmare. Slime stains are hard to remove due to their sticky texture, but it's even more difficult to get rid of them once the substance dries. But don't despair. Vinegar, the ever-versatile cleaning agent, can put your slime-induced misery to rest.

Distilled white vinegar, which is slightly acidic, easily gets rid of most stains on clothes without harming the fabric. Moreover, it is an eco-friendly and more budget-friendly alternative to other cleaning methods involving detergent powder and soap. To get the best results, treat the stains without delay. Also keep in mind that the ideal treatment can vary slightly depending on whether the slime is wet or dry.

Wet slime stains are the easiest to remove with white vinegar. Before applying this kitchen staple, you must first scoop off all the excess slime using a spoon or a butter knife. After removing the excess, move your clothes to a sink or a container to limit the mess, and pour vinegar over the stains in a quantity sufficient to saturate the area completely. Allow the fabric to remain soaked in vinegar for about 10 minutes, ensuring the vinegar does not dry. Then scrub the stained area in circular motions using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Finally, rinse off the area with warm water, and wash it in the washing machine as usual.

For dried slime stains, the stains must first be treated with ice cubes to peel off the hardened substance. Once done, prepare a paste of white vinegar, water, and baking soda to remove stubborn stains wherein you use equal amounts of vinegar and water. Apply the paste in multiple layers to ensure full coverage. Once it's dry, wipe it off with a paper towel before washing the cloth in the washing machine.

While there are several other ways to remove slime from household items, vinegar is one of the best options, especially considering its non-toxic nature. It's also easily available, so stains can be dealt with immediately after they occur. But what truly drives home its effectiveness is white vinegar's chemical composition. Primarily composed of acetic acid, white vinegar easily breaks down the sticky molecules of slime. As slime is made up of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) molecules, whose links are reinforced with borax, the acetic acid reacts with them, causing the polymer chains to break apart.

This reduces the stickiness of the slime, enabling easy dissolvability and complete removal of the stains from the fabric. Additionally, despite being slightly acidic, vinegar causes no harm to fabrics. Beyond its cleaning capabilities, this kitchen staple serves as a natural deodorizer that neutralizes any odor-causing molecules present in the slime stain. Because of this, after a run through the washing machine, your children's clothes will be left smelling and looking clean.