How to Make Silly Putty

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Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 15/4/2026

Content

Steps

Use liquid starch

Use laundry detergent

Use borax

Use baby powder

Use soap

Use soap and flour

Tips

With Liquid Starch

Using Laundry Detergent

Using Borax Powder

Using Baby Powder

Using Soap

Silly Putty was accidentally invented during World War II when American scientists were trying to create synthetic rubber. Today, it has become a popular toy. This article will show you how to make the stretchy, bouncy material commonly found in plastic eggs.

Steps

Use liquid starch

Mix two parts white glue with one part liquid starch.Versatile

Stir the mixture until it reaches the desired consistency. If necessary, adjust the ingredient quantities until the mixture resembles store-bought Silly Putty.

Once the Silly Putty starts to form, remove it from the bowl and shape it with your hands. You’ll need to stretch, twist, and knead it a few times to get the perfect Silly Putty.

Store the Silly Putty in a sealed plastic bag when you're done playing with it. To preserve it, avoid exposing it to air. Additionally, Silly Putty lasts longer when stored in the refrigerator, or you can place it in a zip-lock bag. Make sure to seal the bag tightly.

Use laundry detergent

Pour ¼ cup of white glue into a bowl. The amount you use will determine how much Silly Putty you make. If you'd like more, simply adjust the quantities to your preference.

Optionally, add food coloring. Just drop a few drops of color into the glue and mix it well.

Add 2 tablespoons of laundry detergent. Don’t substitute with dish soap, as the textures are different. You’ll find the liquid detergent works better than powder, but both can be used.

Mix thoroughly. As you stir, the mixture will transform from sticky and gooey to firm, resembling the texture of Silly Putty. If the mixture remains sticky after a few minutes of stirring, add more laundry detergent, a little at a time.

Once the mixture reaches Silly Putty-like consistency, knead it by hand. Kneading will help the mixture form the proper texture and remove excess soap residue.

Store the Silly Putty in a sealed container or bag. Unless you’re shaping or playing with it, keep it in a box or plastic bag. Place the container or bag in the fridge to preserve the Silly Putty for longer.

Use borax

Mix ¼ cup of glue with ¼ cup of water in a bowl. Stir until the mixture is smooth. Add food coloring at this stage if desired. The more coloring you add, the darker your Silly Putty will become.

Dissolve 1 tablespoon (15g) of borax powder in 30ml of water. Be sure to stir thoroughly until it’s completely dissolved, so your Silly Putty remains smooth. Borax is toxic, so it should not be ingested. However, it is crucial for creating high-quality Silly Putty.

Combine both mixtures together. As you mix, you will notice the mixture starting to solidify. If it’s too sticky, add more borax. Keep mixing until it reaches the consistency of Silly Putty. Then, knead it with your hands for 5-10 minutes.

Store it in a sealed container or bag for future use. You can also place it in the refrigerator. When taken out of the fridge, knead it back into shape, and within 10 minutes it will return to its original form. If left exposed to air, it will lose its shape.

Use baby powder

The slime or Silly Putty made from this ingredient won’t bounce or stretch. It can be used as a dry clay-like substance.

Add 5 tablespoons of baby powder into a bowl or cup to mix.

Add 1 teaspoon of glue. For a thinner slime, you can use 2 tablespoons of glue instead.

Mix thoroughly.

Keep it in a sealed container or bag.

Use it. Only play on a non-stick surface. Avoid placing it on a tablecloth. Always use a mat or play on a surface that you don’t mind getting dirty.

Use soap

Mix clear liquid soap or gel shower gel and shampoo in equal parts.

Stir thoroughly.

Let the mixture sit and wait for it to clear up.

Chill the mixture in the refrigerator. After leaving it out for a few hours, place the mixture in the fridge overnight for a firmer slime to play with. Alternatively, put it in the freezer to speed up the process.

Finish up.

Store the silly putty in an airtight container in the fridge after each play session. It should be discarded after about a month or sooner if it gets dirty.

Use soap and flour

Tips

Store silly putty in the fridge to keep it fresh and prevent mold from forming.
To avoid messes, lay down some old newspaper on the surface where you'll be working and have children wear old clothes or an apron.
Borax is toxic if not properly diluted and prolonged exposure may cause burns.
Work the silly putty thoroughly. Some types require gentle handling.
Remember to wash your hands after making it, as they will get quite dirty.
Be cautious about where you place the silly putty, as it’s fun but can also be quite messy!
Always wear old clothes and gloves while making it—you never know what might happen!
Adding too much water will make the silly putty too thin.
Adding less water will give you a better final product.
Knead the silly putty so it doesn’t dry out immediately.
If you make silly putty with soap and it doesn’t firm up quickly, leave it in the fridge for a longer period.
Store silly putty in a box or bag to prevent it from drying out.

Warning

When using food coloring, cover the surface you’re working on and wear disposable gloves; food coloring is hard to clean and can stain permanently if not washed off while still wet.
Avoid placing silly putty on fabric surfaces, as it will stick and be difficult to remove.
Do not swallow silly putty. The materials used in making it are not edible and can be toxic.
Some DIY silly putty recipes involve borax powder. Note that borax is considered a “reproductive toxin” and is listed as a Substance of Very High Concern by the European Union (EU SVHC).
Keep out of reach of children and pets. Silly putty can be dangerous if swallowed. Seek immediate medical attention if a child ingests it.