Hi ladies- I inquired previously on getting stains out of clothing, and have encountered some new challenges! We made "gooey gunk" for the kids, which has a base of Elmer's glue. Of course the kids got it on their clothing, and I can't get it out! Any luck with removing this? We have also gotten paint on clothing that has not washed out either. Any tips would be appreciated! Thanks as always for the great tips!
If it is the gooey gunk with borax or liquid starch, the liquid starch will loosen it from their clothes.
SOL-U-MEL is a mother’s life saver!! It gets out tough stains out of everything! It took out permanent marker from our couch upholstery and I recently used it to get old stains from our carpet. Its worth a shot!
I am a teacher and I have been making these mixes with my class for the last 10 years. I am familiar with a goop using elmers glue and borax as well as glue and liquid starch mix. In both cases, the chemicals alter the glue, and the glue is no longer water soluable. My experience has been that once it hardens, there is nothing that you can do to get it out of fabric, regardless of whether the glue was "washable" to start with. I have never had a problem cleaning it up before it dries.
Not sure about the glue stuff, but I'd try washing it in hot water and letting it soak. For stains, I love Dreft spray. It gets just about anything out.
Also, not sure what "gooey gunk" is, but it sounds like a real pain to clean up since it's glue-based. You might want to try making something similar (from what I could tell from online recipes for "gooey gunk") using corn starch and water. It makes a paste-like, clay-like substance that melts in your hand. Tons of fun for kids and SUPER easy to clean.
Good luck!
Goo Gone (available at Target, Cub, etc.) will dissolve any sort of gummy stuff, including glue, sticker residue, paint, even gasoline.
Any glue-based sensory material on clothing needs to be soaked in warm water for about 15 minutes before being washed. If you have already washed it and ran it through the dryer, it will not come out.
My best tip for you is to take an old tshirt or button up shirt of yours or your husband and before doing any of these messy crafts, slip it on over your childrens clothes. My granddaughter loves markers and after the first time getting it on her shirt and not being able to get it out, we have the rule of no markers, paint and such without the shirt or paint apron.
If you make the gooey gunk again, make sure it is with the school glue since it is washable. If it is the other kind it is made to stay on items including clothing.
Hi D.,
I'd soak the glue stain in water & soap. Elmers is water based, so should clean-up easy.
As for the paint stain, I've had good luck with stain sticks in the past, but I wanted to provide a tip. If you use paint at home, squirt some liquid kitchen soap in the paint. It won't effect the paint for projects, but it makes it very easy to wash painted clothes. If it's from preschool/day care, ask them to do the same.
Best of luck-
R. Magby
For sticky stains like glue, gum, etc. "Goo Gone" really helps. It pretty much dissolves whatever gunk you have. You can find it at any Target, Walmart, etc.... even Lowe's. As far as paint, I'm at a loss. I have a wall paint stain on hubby's jeans I'm trying to get out. I'm ready to try turpentine/Mineral Spirits. Even if it damages the fabric, the pants are pretty much ruined the way it is, so it's worth a try.
Good luck!!
