Silly Putty is a fun toy for kids, but it isn’t so fun when they lose interest in it and leave it in the living room to get stuck in your favorite carpet.
It can be almost like getting chewing gum stuck in your hair.
Silly Putty can be one of the stickiest substances you’ll find, even next to Superglue. This holds especially true when you’re trying to clean up.
IF you’re wondering how to get Silly Putty out of the carpet, you can do so with a few things you likely have around your house or garage. Let’s start with some simple tricks first.
Key Takeaways
Try these three methods:
- Spray WD-40 on the silly putty, then leave for about five minutes. Then, use a butter knife to scrape it up. When you’ve finished, apply isopropyl alcohol to the area to thin out the WD-40. Leave it for a few minutes, then use soapy water to clean the area.
- Mix a tablespoon of white vinegar in warm water, then place it over the stain. Leave it for about five minutes, then use a butter knife or a spoon to remove the silly putty.
- Place an ice cube over the silly putty, then remove it after about an hour. Scrape the silly putty out using a butter knife or a spoon.
WD-40
You know the saying:
if it’s supposed to move and doesn’t, WD-40 is the solution.
This nigh-universal lubricant is great for getting pretty much anything to loosen its bonds and come up.
The sooner you get to the Silly Putty stain the more effective and quick your cleanup will be. In fact, the manufacturer’s website for Silly Putty lists WD-40 as the most reliable cleanup option.
Spray a liberal amount of WD-40 over the Silly Putty blob and allow it to sit for about five minutes. This should give it enough time for the oil in the lubricant to make the Silly Putty release its hold on the carpet fibers so you can wipe or scoop it up.
Next, use a butter knife to scrape the Silly Putty out of the carpet. Work gently, because if the bonds haven’t entirely loosened you’ll need to wait a little more or you risk tearing the carpet fibers with your effort.
After you’ve gotten the Silly Putty out of the carpet, you need to thin out the WD-40. Apply isopropyl alcohol to the site and allow it to soak for a few minutes. After that, apply soapy water, and you should notice your carpet looking good as new, no Silly Putty or WD-40 to be found.
You can either let the carpet air dry or pat it dry with a towel.
Vinegar Cleaning Solution
Get a cup of warm water and mix a tablespoon of white vinegar in it. Pour this over the Silly Putty stain and allow it to soak for about five minutes. The acid in the vinegar should cause the Silly Putty to let go of the carpet so you can scrape it up.
Use a butter knife or a spoon to get all the putty out of the carpet. If you try to use your fingers, not only will you get it under your nails, but you’ll accidentally pull pieces of it free, leaving you to start the process all over again. When using a spoon, you have a solid surface that picks up the putty, so you don’t have to worry about this happening.
Ice Cube
No, not the rapper. By applying ice to Silly Putty or any similar adhesive, you weaken its bonds, and it makes it easier to come up.
If you don’t want to have ice melting in your hand while you wait for the heat to transfer from the putty to it, you can use a cold pack or a medical ice bag, just place it on the Silly Putty and remove it after about an hour or so, depending on the surrounding temperature.
After the adhesive is weakened, scrape it up as normal, using a butter knife or a spoon. Don’t try to cut it away; you’ll inevitably miss some and damage your carpet for no reason.
Other Products to Try
If you don’t have WD-40 or white vinegar, there are plenty of commercial products that can help you. We’ve got a list of them for you, all with the same basic properties:
- Goo-Gone
- Goof-Off
- KrudKutter
- Duck Adhesive Remover
Many of these products are water-based like the WD-40, so you don’t have to worry about leaving a super-visible stain. You should always follow the package directions when cleaning with the, because they may leave harmful residue.
Testing
Always test a carpet sample or a secluded place on your carpet for any cleaning material. Most of the time, you don’t have to worry about colors bleeding, but organic materials and dyes don’t do too well with certain substances. It’s possible that your carpet will fade. Ask a professional for guidance if you aren’t sure.
Conclusion
By using a few simple household items and ingenuity, you can clean up Silly Putty from your carpet even if your children have left if for days or weeks. It doesn’t lose its elasticity over time, unlike many other compounds.
