First, you need to set aside your turtle in a safe place and then deconstruct its tank, taking all of the pieces out to scrub them clean. It's important to note that you cannot use soap or detergent in your red-eared slider's tank. No matter how much you rinse afterward, it can leave a residue. If you need cleaning products, betadine or methylene blue can do the trick. Once everything has been scrubbed clean, it can be placed back in the tank and your turtle can be returned.