If you have gummy, dry, sticky, or stringy slime, you can remedy this by adding certain ingredients in place of an activator like borax, which is required by classic recipes. If you plan to make slime from scratch and are hesitant to use borax because it irritates the skin or is not safe for children, opt for a recipe without this substance: in this case, you will have to activate the slime with other ingredients whose function is to replace borax. There are several alternatives to the traditional recipe with borax. For example, you can try making fluffy slime using cornstarch. Baking soda and contact lens solution are perfect for making a slime with a supple consistency.
Ingrediants
Fluffy Slime
- Half a cup (120 ml) of shampoo
- 30 g of corn starch
- 6 tablespoons (90 ml) of water
- Food coloring (optional)
Elastic Slime
- 1 cup (240 ml) of vinyl glue
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) of baking soda
- Food coloring (optional)
- Contact lens solution
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Fix a Ready-made Slime
Step 1. If the slime has acquired a rubbery texture, use a lotion to make it supple again
When the mixture loses elasticity, take a moisturizing lotion and squeeze a dab of product on it. Knead with your hands to incorporate it. Add larger amounts of lotion (a dab of product at a time) until the desired elasticity is achieved.
- Any type of moisturizing hand or body lotion will work for this procedure.
- This method is effective if you have a gummy slime that breaks when you try to stretch it.
Step 2. Rehydrate the dry slime with warm water
If the slime has dried out, wet it with warm tap water or soak it in a bowl of warm water for one second at a time, then knead it with your hands to incorporate the liquid. Repeat the procedure as many times as necessary until it is moist and elastic again.
This method is effective for compounds that have dried slightly due to exposure to air, without proper storage in an airtight container
Step 3. To make the slime less sticky, add baking soda and contact lens solution
Place the slime in a bowl or similar container. Pour in half a teaspoon of contact lens solution and half a teaspoon of baking soda, then mix well by kneading with your hands. If it continues to be too sticky, add more of each ingredient.
Do not use more than half a teaspoon of solution and half a teaspoon of baking soda at a time. If you add too much, the slime can become chewy and crumble
Step 4. If you have stringy slime, fix it by adding some liquid starch
Place the slime in any type of bowl you have and pour 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of liquid starch into it. Mix well with a metal spoon. Continue adding 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of starch at a time and mixing. Repeat until no slime strands are stuck to the spoon.
Once the slime has stopped being stringy, you can grab it with your hands and knead it to make it thicken
Attention: Keep in mind that some type of liquid starch contains borax or similar compounds.
Method 2 of 3: Make a Fluffy Slime with Corn Starch
Step 1. Mix 1/2 cup (120ml) of shampoo and 30g of cornstarch
Pour half a cup (120ml) of shampoo into any type of bowl you have and add 30g of cornstarch. Mix the ingredients well using a metal spoon until you reach a uniform consistency.
You can use any type of shampoo, but thicker ones generally offer a better result
Step 2. Add 3 drops of food coloring in case you want to dye the slime
Squeeze 3 drops of dye onto the mixture. Mix well to dye the slime.
This step is completely optional. Don't use food coloring if you don't want to dye the slime
advise: green is a classic, but you can use any color you want. If you want to get a more intense color, you can very well add more than 3 drops of product.
Step 3. Add 6 tablespoons (90ml) of water (one at a time)
Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of water to the mixture and mix. Then add another 5 tablespoons (75 ml) of water, mixing well from time to time.
This will result in a slime with a soft, dough-like consistency
Step 4. Knead the slime for at least 5 minutes
Close your hands into fists and press your knuckles on the slime to knead it. Turn it over and do the same on the other side. Repeat this process for at least 5 minutes, until the slime has reached a soft, dough-like consistency. It shouldn't feel too sticky to the touch either.
If after kneading the slime you find it too sticky, try adding more starch and keep kneading until you get a consistency you find satisfactory
Step 5. Store the slime in a resealable plastic bag to keep it moist
Put the mixture in a bag when you finish playing with it. Squeeze out excess air and close the zip to prevent it from drying out.
- You could also store it in a small airtight container instead of a plastic bag.
- Slime can last for months, provided it is stored properly.
Method 3 of 3: Make an Elastic Slime with Baking Soda
Step 1. Mix 1 cup (240ml) of vinyl glue and 1 tablespoon (15g) of baking soda
Pour 1 cup (240ml) of vinyl glue into any type of bowl you have available. Add 1 tablespoon (15 g) of baking soda and mix well with a metal spoon.
This recipe allows you to create a slime with a consistency similar to that of borax. However, it will also be slightly grainy, similar to sand
Step 2. Add 3 drops of food coloring if you want to dye the slime
Add 3 drops of a food coloring of your choice. Stir well to dye the mixture.
If you want the slime to have a more intense color, you can add more dye. If you prefer it softer, you can use less. Skip this step entirely in case you just want to get white slime
Step 3. Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of contact lens solution and mix
Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of contact lens solution. Mix well, paying attention to how the consistency of the slime changes.
- When combined with baking soda, the contact lens solution acts as an activator, thus replacing the borax.
- Contact lens solution is also called saline solution.
Step 4. Continue to incorporate the contact lens solution until the desired consistency is achieved
Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of solution at a time, mixing well between tablespoons. Stop mixing once the slime has reached an elastic consistency, similar to that of a dough.
- As the slime will get thicker, you may need to start kneading it with your hands to incorporate the additional doses of solution.
- If the slime feels too sticky to the touch, you can add a few drops of baby oil to the mixture.
advise: This type of slime thickens more and more as it is used to play. If it feels mushy to the touch, just knead it and play with it until you reach the desired consistency.
Step 5. Store the slime in an airtight container or plastic bag to make it last longer
Place the slime in an airtight container or plastic zip bag. Put the lid on the bowl or close the bag to keep the slime fresh.
