
Are you ready for a super satisfying and fun activity that will leave you with a mesmerizing and tactile creation? Look no further than homemade slime! With just a few simple ingredients and a dash of creativity, you can transform ordinary washing liquid into a vibrant, gooey substance that will provide hours of entertainment. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of creating your own slime with washing liquid, empowering you to unleash your inner child and embrace the joy of sensory play.
To embark on this slimy adventure, you’ll need a few household essentials. Gather a cup of washing liquid, half a cup of clear glue, a teaspoon of baking soda, and a few drops of food coloring (optional). Begin by pouring the glue into a large bowl and adding the washing liquid. Mix them thoroughly until they form a smooth and combined mixture. Next, sprinkle in the baking soda and stir vigorously. This will initiate a magical reaction that will cause the mixture to thicken and become more opaque. Finally, if you desire a vibrant touch, add a few drops of food coloring and mix until the desired hue is achieved.
Now comes the exciting part: playing with your slime! Once the mixture has reached the desired consistency, you can retrieve it from the bowl and knead it with your hands. As you work the slime, it will become softer and more malleable, allowing you to mold and shape it according to your imagination. Stretch it, bounce it, squish it, or create your own unique designs. The possibilities are endless. And when you’re finished playing, simply store your slime in an airtight container to preserve its slimy goodness for future enjoyment.
Gather Your Materials
To create your very own slime masterpiece, you’ll need to gather the following ingredients and tools:
Essential Ingredients:
- White or Clear Glue: This is the backbone of your slime, providing the necessary stickiness. Opt for PVA glue, also known as school glue, for its ability to form strong bonds and create a flexible slime.
- Washing Liquid: The secret ingredient that transforms your glue into a gooey delight! Dish soap or hand soap works wonders, as it contains surfactants that break down the glue’s structure, making it stretchy and pliable.
- Water: While water isn’t always essential, it can help thin out the slime and make it easier to mix and manipulate. Start with a small amount and gradually add more as needed.
Optional Add-Ins:
- Food Coloring: Add a touch of creativity and color to your slime! Gel food coloring works best, as it provides vibrant hues without diluting the slime.
- Glitter: For a shimmering and sparkly effect, sprinkle in some glitter. Choose fine-grained glitter for a subtle sparkle or larger flakes for a bolder look.
- Scented Oils: Infuse your slime with a delightful aroma by adding a few drops of your favorite scented oil. Lavender, vanilla, or citrus scents can create a relaxing or invigorating experience.
- Borax Powder (Optional): This ingredient can help strengthen your slime and make it more durable. However, it’s not essential and can be omitted if you prefer a less chemical approach.
Essential Tools:
- Mixing Bowl: A spacious bowl will provide ample room to mix your slime ingredients thoroughly.
- Spoon or Spatula: Use a utensil with a flat surface to stir and combine your ingredients effectively.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are crucial for achieving the desired consistency of your slime. Use measuring tools to ensure the correct proportions of each ingredient.
- Gloves (Optional): Gloves can protect your hands from getting messy, especially when working with colored slime.
Ingredient |
Quantity |
White or Clear Glue |
1 cup |
Washing Liquid |
1/2 cup |
Water |
1/4 cup (optional) |
Choose a Washing Liquid
Selecting the right washing liquid is crucial for creating successful slime with washing liquid. Here are some factors to consider:
Detergent Concentration
Opt for a washing liquid with a higher detergent concentration, typically labeled as “ultra” or “concentrated.” This ensures a higher concentration of surfactants, which are essential for binding the slime together.
Active Ingredients
Check the active ingredients of the washing liquid. Look for surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), which create the stretchy and gooey texture of slime.
Viscosity
Viscosity |
Characteristic |
Low |
Thin, runny slime |
Medium |
Optimal consistency for most slimes |
High |
Thick, stiff slime |
Consider the desired viscosity of the slime. Lower-viscosity washing liquids produce thinner slimes, while higher-viscosity liquids result in thicker slimes.
Add Glue
The next step in creating slime with washing liquid is to add glue. The type of glue you use will affect the consistency of your slime. For a thicker slime, use a clear school glue. For a more stretchy slime, use a white school glue or a PVA glue. You can also use a glitter glue to add some sparkle to your slime.
To add the glue, simply pour it into the bowl with the washing liquid and food coloring. Stir until the glue is well combined with the other ingredients. If the slime is too thick, add a little bit of water and stir again. If the slime is too thin, add a little bit more glue and stir again.
Tips for adding glue
Here are some tips for adding glue to your slime:
- Start with a small amount of glue and add more as needed.
- Stir the glue well until it is combined with the other ingredients.
- If the slime is too thick, add a little bit of water and stir again.
- If the slime is too thin, add a little bit more glue and stir again.
- You can also add glitter or other embellishments to your slime after it is made.
Glue type |
Slime consistency |
Clear school glue |
Thick |
White school glue |
Stretchy |
PVA glue |
Stretchy |
Glitter glue |
Sparkly |
Combine the Liquids
In a large bowl, combine 1 cup (240 ml) of clear school glue, 1 cup (240 ml) of warm water, and 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of glitter (optional). Stir until everything is well combined.
In a separate container, combine 1/2 cup (120 ml) of warm water and 1/2 cup (120 ml) of liquid laundry detergent. Stir until the laundry detergent is completely dissolved.
Slowly pour the laundry detergent solution into the glue mixture while stirring constantly. Continue stirring until the slime begins to form. The slime will start to thicken and become less sticky.
If the slime is too sticky, add a little more laundry detergent solution. If the slime is too thin, add a little more glue. Stir until the slime reaches the desired consistency.
Ingredient |
Amount |
Clear school glue |
1 cup (240 ml) |
Warm water |
1 cup (240 ml) |
Glitter (optional) |
1 teaspoon (5 ml) |
Liquid laundry detergent |
1/2 cup (120 ml) |
Experiment with Colors
Once you have mastered the basic slime recipe, you can start experimenting with different colors. Here are a few ideas:
Color |
Mixing Ratio |
Red |
1 drop red food coloring to 2 tablespoons slime |
Blue |
1 drop blue food coloring to 2 tablespoons slime |
Green |
1 drop green food coloring to 2 tablespoons slime |
Purple |
1 drop red and blue food coloring to 2 tablespoons slime |
Yellow |
1 drop yellow food coloring to 2 tablespoons slime |
Orange |
1 drop red and yellow food coloring to 2 tablespoons slime |
You can also add glitter or other embellishments to your slime to make it even more unique. Just be sure to add these items in small amounts, or they could make your slime too stiff.
Add Glitter or Decorations
Once your slime is well-mixed and at the desired consistency, it’s time to add some personality and flair. Here are some ideas to consider:
Decoration |
Amount |
Glitter |
Add a dash of glitter for a touch of sparkle. |
Micro beads |
Add a handful of micro beads for a fun and tactile texture. |
Sequins |
Add a few sequins for a whimsical touch. |
Food coloring |
Add a drop or two of food coloring to create a custom color. |
Foam balls |
Crumble up small foam balls for a squishy and playful effect. |
Candy sprinkles |
Add a sprinkle of candy sprinkles for a sweet and colorful touch. |
Note: Use decorations sparingly to avoid compromising the elasticity and consistency of your slime.
Store Your Slime Properly
Once you’ve made your slime, it’s important to store it properly so that it lasts as long as possible. Here are a few tips:
Choose an airtight container. This will help to keep the slime from drying out.
Store the slime in a cool, dark place. This will help to prevent the slime from melting or becoming discolored.
If you’re not going to be using the slime for a while, you can store it in the refrigerator. This will help to keep it fresh and prevent it from growing bacteria.
Here’s a table of slime storage tips:
Tip |
Description |
Choose an airtight container. |
This will help to keep the slime from drying out. |
Store the slime in a cool, dark place. |
This will help to prevent the slime from melting or becoming discolored. |
If you’re not going to be using the slime for a while, you can store it in the refrigerator. |
This will help to keep it fresh and prevent it from growing bacteria. |
Play with Your Slime
Once your slime is made, you can play with it in many different ways. Here are a few ideas:
1. Stretch it
Slime is very stretchy, so you can pull it, stretch it, and even make it into different shapes.
2. Bounce it
Slime is also very bouncy, so you can bounce it on the floor or against a wall.
3. Squish it
Slime is very soft and squishy, so you can squish it between your fingers or in your hands.
4. Mold it
Slime can be molded into different shapes, so you can make it into animals, people, or anything else you can imagine.
5. Use it as a stress ball
Slime can be used as a stress ball to help you relax and relieve stress.
6. Play with it in water
Slime is also fun to play with in water. You can float it, sink it, or even make it into different shapes.
7. Add glitter or other decorations
You can add glitter, beads, or other decorations to your slime to make it more fun and colorful.
8. Experiment with different recipes
There are many different recipes for slime, so you can experiment with different ingredients to find the one that you like best. You can also try adding different food colorings to make your slime different colors. Here is a table with some different slime recipes that you can try:
Recipe |
Ingredients |
Basic slime |
1 cup clear glue, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon borax powder |
Glittery slime |
1 cup clear glue, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon borax powder, 1/4 cup glitter |
Colored slime |
1 cup clear glue, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon borax powder, food coloring |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Slime Is Too Sticky
If your slime is too sticky, add more contact lens solution or baking soda a little at a time and mix well. You can also try kneading the slime for a few minutes to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Tips:
– Use clear contact lens solution without any added ingredients.
– Add the baking soda gradually and stir constantly to prevent lumps.
Slime Is Too Watery
If your slime is too watery, add more glue or cornstarch a little at a time and mix well. You can also try draining off any excess liquid by placing the slime in a strainer.
Tips:
– If you’re using clear glue, try adding a drop of food coloring to give it color.
– Cornstarch can be substituted with flour, but the slime may be less stretchy.
Slime Is Not Stretchy
If your slime is not stretchy, try adding more activator (borax, contact lens solution, or baking soda). You can also try kneading the slime for a few minutes to improve its elasticity.
Tips:
– Borax is the most effective activator, but it should be handled with care and not ingested.
– Contact lens solution provides a gentler activation, making it suitable for children.
Slime Is Too Thin
If your slime is too thin, try adding more glue or starch. You can also try boiling the solution for a few minutes to thicken it.
Tips:
– Add the glue or starch gradually and stir constantly to avoid lumps.
– Boiling the solution will thicken it but may also make it less stretchy.
Slime Is Too Thick
If your slime is too thick, try adding more water or activator. You can also try microwaving the slime for a few seconds to soften it.
Tips:
– Add the water or activator gradually and stir constantly to prevent lumps.
– Microwaving the slime will soften it but may also make it less firm.
Slime Is Breaking Apart
If your slime is breaking apart, try adding more activator or kneading it for a few minutes to bring the ingredients together.
Tips:
– Adding activator will help to strengthen the bonds between the ingredients.
– Kneading the slime will distribute the ingredients evenly and make it more cohesive.
Slime Is Too Cloudy
If your slime is too cloudy, try filtering it through a coffee filter or cheesecloth.
Tips:
– Filtering the slime will remove any impurities or undissolved particles.
– Use a fine-mesh filter or cheesecloth to ensure that all the particles are removed.
Safety Precautions
When making slime with washing liquid, it is important to take the following safety precautions:
1. Wear gloves and a mask
Washing liquid can be irritating to the skin and eyes, so it is important to wear gloves and a mask when handling it.
2. Use a well-ventilated area
The fumes from washing liquid can be harmful if inhaled, so it is important to use it in a well-ventilated area.
3. Keep away from children and pets
Washing liquid can be poisonous if ingested, so it is important to keep it away from children and pets.
4. Do not use too much washing liquid
Using too much washing liquid can make the slime too runny and difficult to handle.
5. Do not add other chemicals to the slime
Adding other chemicals to the slime can make it unstable and potentially dangerous.
6. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the slime
Washing your hands thoroughly after handling the slime will help to prevent any irritation to your skin.
7. Dispose of the slime properly
When you are finished playing with the slime, dispose of it properly by flushing it down the toilet or throwing it in the trash.
8. Do not eat the slime
Washing liquid can be poisonous if ingested, so do not eat the slime.
9. Do not store the slime for too long
Slime made with washing liquid will eventually start to break down, so it is important to store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator and discard it if it starts to show signs of mold or bacteria growth.
10. Be aware of the potential risks
While slime made with washing liquid is generally safe to make and play with, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and to take the necessary precautions to avoid any accidents.
How To Make Slime With Washing Liquid
Making slime with washing liquid is a fun and easy activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It’s a great way to use up leftover washing liquid and create a unique and satisfying sensory experience. Here’s how to do it:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup clear or white washing liquid
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon borax powder
- Food coloring (optional)
- Glitter (optional)
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the washing liquid and water. Stir until well combined.
- Add the borax powder and stir until the mixture starts to thicken and become stringy.
- If desired, add food coloring and/or glitter and stir until combined.
- Knead the slime with your hands until it is smooth and elastic.
- Play with your slime! Store it in an airtight container when not in use.
People Also Ask About How To Make Slime With Washing Liquid
What is the best type of washing liquid to use?
Any clear or white washing liquid will work, but some brands may produce better results than others. Experiment with different brands to find the one you like best.
Can I use other ingredients to make slime?
Yes, you can use other ingredients to make slime, such as glue, shaving cream, or cornstarch. However, the proportions of the ingredients will need to be adjusted accordingly.
How long does slime last?
Slime can last for several weeks or even months if it is stored properly. Store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.