How To Get Silly Putty Out Of Carpet

Many parents have thought about how to get Silly Putty out of carpet at least once. The putty is goopy and can easily stick to different surfaces, including your carpet. To your children, it’s a beautiful masterpiece, but things are not looking so good from your perspective.

So, is it possible to remove Silly Putty from your carpet? The answer is yes, and it’s relatively straightforward to do so. Don’t hang around any longer. Keep on reading, and I will show you how to get started!

Silly Putty Playtime (On The Carpet) Is Officially Over

Silly Putty is a toy made of silicone polymers and other chemicals. It was invented by chance in 1943 when the United States was searching far and wide for rubber substitutes. Silly Putty is now a product by Crayola, with an estimate of 300 million eggs having been sold.

With its interesting physical properties, the toy has gained massive attention from children all over the world. However, you can’t say the same thing about adults. They can’t stand it when Silly Putty gets stuck in their precious living room carpet!

That said, if your children love playing with Silly Putty, make sure that the carpeted area is off limits. What to do when they don’t listen to you and have caused a sticky situation? Well, I’m here with the solutions that will put your worries away.

The Ultimate Guide To Removing Silly Putty From A Carpet

Overall, the process of getting Silly Putty out of a carpet is not much of a challenge. You will start by applying a solution of your choice to dissolve the putty. Then, grab a small knife and scrape the putty off gently. Finally, rinse the treated area with water and dry the carpet.

1. Ice Cubes

In most cases, a few ice cubes are what you need to remove Silly Putty from a carpet. They will chill and slowly harden the putty, making it much easier to separate from the fibers.

For This Method, You Need

• Ice cubes
• Plastic bag
• Small knife

Instructions

Step 1: Place some ice cubes into a Ziploc bag and seal the opening. Depending on the size of the putty, you will use small or big cubes.

Step 2: Let the ice cube bag rest on the putty. Ensure that the bag has been sealed, or water will leak and wet your carpet. Allow the bag to sit for approximately 2-3 hours. Should the ice cubes melt, replace them with new ones.

Step 3: Grab a small knife, for example, a butter or a utility, and scrape off the loose putty.

2. Vinegar

Perhaps that you are in the middle of summer and the ice cubes can’t stand the heat, here is another option for you. White vinegar is an excellent choice for tackling different stains, such as coffee, gum, and your children’s colorful putty – thanks to its acetic acid content. ⁽¹⁾

For This Method, You Need

• White vinegar
• Warm water
• Small knife
• Baking soda (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Full-strength white vinegar will leave stains on your carpet, so you will need to dilute 1 part of it with 2 parts of warm water. Stir to distribute the ingredients evenly.

Step 2: Saturate the putty with the solution. Do not soak the carpet, or the fluid will reach the underlayer and cause mold to grow.

Step 3: Likewise, use a small knife to get rid of the putty. Repeat the process if needed.

Step 4: If the smell of vinegar bothers you, sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on the treated area. The smell should go away a few hours later.

Watch this video to know more:

3. Detergent

If vinegar did not produce the desired result, detergent is the next candidate for this job. This household product offers impressive versatility and can be used to clean coffee spills on the carpet or even more stubborn ones like blood or vomit.

For This Method, You Need

• Detergent
• Warm water
• Clean cloths, paper towels, or cotton balls

Instructions

Step 1: Dissolve two spoonfuls of detergent in a cup of warm water. Of course, your product should not contain bleach or harsh chemicals that can degrade the carpet.

Step 2: Dip a clean cloth or a paper towel into the detergent solution and work into the putty. Avoid scrubbing excessively; be gentle and pull out the putty as you apply the solution. With smaller lumps, you can use cotton balls.

Step 3: Let the solution sit for around 20 minutes. After that, place a towel on the putty stain and press them down. Doing so will help get rid of the excess liquid and prevent dirt or dust from landing on your carpet.

Step 4: Finish the process by giving the stain a good wiping.

4. Nail Polish Remover

Detergent not working for you? Bring out your bottle of nail polish remover. It’s a product that typically contains acetone as a solvent. However, in this situation, or when you want to clean nail polish from your carpet, your safest bet is the non-acetone variant.

For This Method, You Need

• Non-acetone nail polish remover
• Cotton balls
• Small knife

Instructions

Step 1: First, make certain that your nail polish remover does not have acetone by skimming through the label. If it does not, wet a cotton ball with the product and dab the putty. Replace new cotton balls if needed.

Step 2: Like the previous methods, use a small knife and remove the putty particles from the carpet fibers. Be careful while you are working with this tool, or you will happen to trim off the fibers. Repeat the steps if the putty refuses to come off.

Note: You can combine this method with the first one (the ice cube) for a better result.

Watch this video to know more:

5. Rubbing Alcohol

Some parents have reported success when using rubbing alcohol to get putty balls from their living room carpet. Let’s try it and see if it lives up to the hype!

For This Method, You Need

• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton balls
• Small knife

Instructions

The process of cleaning the putty with rubbing alcohol is the same as the previous method. If you fail on the first attempt, don’t give up. Devote more time and effort, and you will succeed.

Watch this video to know more:

6. Vodka

The smell of rubbing alcohol can be somewhat off-putting and take forever to disperse. If you are not happy with this, a more friendly option is vodka. Don’t waste your cash on expensive stuff – stop by the nearest convenience store and grab a bottle.

For This Method, You Need

• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton balls
• Small knife

Instructions

There is no difference between the instructions for this method and the last one. You will wet a cotton ball with the vodka, apply it to the stain, and finish the process by scraping.

7. Hand Sanitizer

Apart from keeping your hands free from bacteria and smelling good, did you know that hand sanitizers can get rid of stretchy putty on your carpet? I bet you didn’t!

For This Method, You Need

• Hand sanitizer
• Small knife
• Gloves (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Most hand sanitizers contain chemicals like fragrance, which can stain your carpet if you go overboard. Hence, it’s important to do a spot test first. Dab an inconspicuous area of your carpet with the hand sanitizer of choice and see if shrinkage or discoloration occurs.

If not, move on to step 2.

Step 2: Pour a good amount of hand sanitizer on the putty and rub the fibers lightly with your hands (you can put your gloves on if you want, but overall, hand sanitizers are not toxic).

Step 3: The putty should break down right away, so get your knife ready and take it out.

8. WD-40

WD-40 was originally used to remove rust and loosen machine parts, but the lubricant is now sitting on many people’s cleaning supplies racks. Nonetheless, this product releases harmful gas that can cause several respiratory problems, so don’t forget to put on a mask. ⁽²⁾

For This Method, You Need

• WD-40
• Detergent
• Warm water
• Small knife
• Air mask
• Gloves
• Goggles

Instructions

Step 1: First and foremost, don your protective gear. This includes an air mask that fits your mouth, a pair of goggles to cover your eyes, and a pair of rubber gloves.

Step 2: Spray WD-40 directly on the putty and let it perform the magic for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Next, rub away the Silly Putty with a small knife. Again, do this with extreme caution, or you will tear the fibers out.

Step 4: Once the putty is completely removed from the carpet, rinse the excess WD-40 with a solution of detergent and warm water. You can combine them in whatever ratio you prefer, as the aim here is to remove the WD-40 only.

Step 5: Blot the carpet dry with another washcloth.

9. Commercial Products

If all else fails, your last and perhaps the most effective option is a commercial product such as Goo Gone, Goof Off, or KrudKutter. They are safe to use on most surfaces and can clean up the adhesive, glue, and any sticky substance. Indeed, Silly Putty is not an exception.

Before using, you should read over the instructions carefully. Improper uses can damage the carpet, and that’s the very last thing you want to see. Moreover, these products are toxic and should be used with extreme caution.

No More Mess In The Future When You Have These Tips

Sure enough, your children can’t resist the temptation of playing with Silly Putty. This section will offer you some valuable tips to let your kids immerse themselves in fun without making a huge mess again. Don’t skip it!

• Consider a stain-resistant carpet: Some carpets have a unique chemical coating to prevent stains from setting in the fibers. Indeed, they are a tad more pricey, but think about the time you can save in the future from cleaning up – worth it, right?
• Reduce the stickiness: The problem with Silly Putty here is its stickiness, causing it to cling to your clothes, carpets, and other fabrics. To reduce its sticky nature, cool it down before giving it to your kids using the ice bag method.
• Create a playground for your children: It’s vital to teach your children where to and not to play inside the house. Not only will they learn about discipline, but the chances of their sticky toys getting stuck on your carpet are also reduced.

FAQs

Got further questions weighing heavy in your mind? Check out the next section, and you will certainly sigh with relief.

Contact Professional Help

Below are some tried-and-tested methods of how to get Silly Putty out of carpet. Should any damage occur, for instance, shrinkage or discoloration, don’t be afraid to call in an expert for help. Otherwise, your carpet will be on its way to the junkyard and never come back.

So, what options did you try? Was it a huge success? Share your results with other readers and me via the comment section below. Don’t forget to leave some tips – sharing is caring! I am looking forward to all of them.

References

1. NSF International. 2021. Reliable and Scientific Tips for Cleaning With Vinegar. [online] Available at: https://www.nsf.org/blog/consumer/reliable-scientific-tips-cleaning-with-vinegar.
2. Files.wd40.com. 2021. [online] Available at: https://files.wd40.com/pdf/sds/specialist/wd-40-specialist-spray-and-stay-gel-lubricant-aerosol-us-ghs-sds.pdf.