Unilever logo
Cleanipedia UK logo

How to get playdough out of carpet and other household surfaces

Playdough and putty are fun to play with but can cause a mess. Read on to discover our tips on how to remove them from all types of surfaces in your house, from carpets to clothes.

Updated Reading Time: 5 minutesBy Cleanipedia Team

3 pots sit on a white surface with their lids beside them, with red, blue and aqua balls of playdough in front of them
In the Home
Advertisement
Cleanipedia-Mobile-Leaderboards OP2b-2 new product info and offers

Playdough and silly putty may provide hours of fun for your kids, but they’re sticky and will inevitably get caught up in everything. There is no need to panic, however. We know some easy ways to limit the damage playdough or silly putty might do at home. Read on to discover our top tips for how to get putty out of hair and remove playdough from carpet, clothes and more in simple step-by-step guides.

When you’re trying to remove playdough from carpet, clothes and other surfaces, water and a stiff brush is the easiest way to make sure you remove all traces.

You will need:

  • Spoon
  • Cotton wool ball
  • Soft bristled brush
  • Stiff brush
  • Vacuum
  • Fine tooth comb
  • Ice cubes
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Washing-up liquid
  • Detergent
  • Water
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Baby oil
  • Shampoo
Advertisement
Cleanipedia-MPU-banners OP2b new product info and offers

How to remove putty from clothes

Putty is easier than you may think to remove from clothing with these steps.

  1. Scrape away any loose putty.

    Use a spoon or similar blunt item to scrape away as much putty as possible.

  2. Chill the putty.

    This can be done with ice cubes or by placing the item in the freezer.

  3. Scrape away the hardened putty.

    Use a soft bristled brush to scrape it away.

  4. Blot any leftover stains.

    If a stain is left behind, you can use a cotton wool ball to blot it with rubbing alcohol or washing up liquid.

  5. Wash the item as normal.

    When washing children's clothing, consider using a gentle detergent like Persil Non-Bio.

How to remove playdough from clothes

If you’re wondering how to get Play Doh out of clothes the steps are very similar to removing putty.

  1. Remove any loose playdough.

    Get any loose playdough out of clothes with a blunt implement like a spoon.

  2. Soak the item of clothing.

    Soaking the clothing in water will loosen the playdough from the fabric. We recommend doing this for around 20 – 30 minutes.

  3. Scrape away playdough remnants.

    Using a soft bristled brush, scrape away any left over bits of playdough.

  4. Treat any staining.

    Remove leftover stains by rubbing washing up liquid into the stain.

  5. Wash the item as normal.

    Use a good quality detergent and gentle fabric conditioner such as Comfort.

How to remove putty from carpet

To learn how to get putty out of carpet follow these simple steps.

  1. Mix up a cleaning solution.

    We recommend one cup of water with two tablespoons of good quality detergent.

  2. Blot the affected area.

    Use a cotton ball to blot the carpet with your solution, ensuring the putty is fully covered.

  3. Leave to soak.

    The solution need time to work, so leave it to soak for 20 minutes.

  4. Wipe the area clean.

    Use a damp cloth to wipe the area clean, ensuring there are no traces of cleaning solution left behind.

How to remove playdough from carpet

Not sure how to get playdough out of carpet? Many people try sticking more playdough on top and trying to pull it up, but that doesn’t always work. Next time, try these 3 simple steps instead.

  1. Remove dried playdough.

    Allow the playdough to dry before using a stiff brush to remove it from your carpet fibres. Use a vacuum to collect the loose pieces.

  2. Blot any staining.

    If you have some leftover stains, blot at them with rubbing alcohol. If your carpet is white, use hydrogen peroxide instead.

    HEALTH WARNING: Never mix cleaning chemicals, particularly strong chemicals like hydrogen peroxide or anything containing bleach. Doing so could release a toxic gas, impact your health, or damage the item you’re trying to clean.

  3. Leave to dry.

    Leave kitchen roll on top of the stain and allow it dry before giving it one more vacuum to ensure all the residue is removed.

How to get putty and playdough off your children

It’s not just clothes and carpets that can become stained during playtime. When it comes to understanding how to get putty out of hair there are 3 simple steps.

  1. Use baby oil.

    Rub baby oil into the hair, massaging it into the scalp and wherever the playdough or putty has become tangled.

  2. Comb the hair.

    Use a fine-tooth comb to gently comb the hair once the baby oil is applied. This should remove most of the playdough or putty.

  3. Wash the hair.

    Make sure you use a good quality shampoo and rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of putty or playdough.

The Poll

When buying dishwasher tablets, which of these is most important to you?

0 Votes

And that’s it. Now you have our step-by-step guide on how to get putty out of clothes, get playdough out of carpet, and also remove playdough or putty from your kids! Next time your kids want to get creative, you don’t have to worry about the clean up.

Having trouble with getting slime out of clothes and carpets as well? We have the answers for you. For more top tips on caring for your home and items your children love, check out our comprehensive guide to cleaning and disinfecting children's toys and tips for keeping their bedrooms clean and tidy.

Originally published