How to Make Slime from Laundry Detergent

Slime is a fun, squishy toy that’s sticky, gooey, and has a somewhat messy look, yet it's quite entertaining. While you can always buy slime from the store, making it at home can be much more enjoyable. The most common slime recipes usually require borax, but not everyone has this ingredient. Fortunately, there are plenty of other ways to make slime using ingredients you already have at home. One of the easiest methods is using liquid glue and laundry detergent. If you enjoy making slime from laundry detergent, you can even try other methods to create putty.

Mix equal amounts of glue and water. Pour 1/2 cup (120ml) of water into a bowl. Then, add 1/2 cup (120ml) of liquid glue. Make sure to pour all of the glue from the measuring cup into the bowl. Use a spoon, fork, or a small plastic spatula to scrape the glue out completely.

Add food coloring or glitter (if needed). Start by adding just two drops of food coloring. Mix well and then add more color if necessary. If you'd like your slime to have a bit of sparkle, you can add 1 teaspoon of glitter. Stir the mixture and continue adding more glitter as desired.

Stir in 1/4 cup (60ml) of laundry detergent using a fork. As you mix the detergent with the glue, you'll notice the mixture starting to clump together. Continue stirring until you have a thick mass.

Knead the slime by hand for about 1-2 minutes. If the bowl is too small for kneading, transfer the slime onto a flat surface. The longer you knead it, the firmer and less watery the slime will become. This should take around 1 to 2 minutes.

Store the slime in an airtight container once you're done playing. A plastic container with a tight-fitting lid or a resealable plastic bag works best. Keep in mind that the slime will dry out after a few days and become hard, especially after being played with several times.

Pour 1/4 cup (60ml) of clear glue into a bowl. Use a spoon, fork, or a small plastic spatula to scrape all the glue from the measuring cup into the bowl. You can use regular clear glue or glitter glue.

• If using clear glue, add 2 drops of food coloring and 1 teaspoon of glitter to make the slime more interesting.

Add 2 teaspoons of laundry detergent and stir with a fork. The glue will start to clump together and form a thick mass. You can use any type of laundry detergent, but keep in mind that this will affect the slime’s color. For the best results, choose a detergent that matches the color of your glue. You can also use clear detergent if available.

Add 1 teaspoon of laundry detergent and continue stirring. The glue will begin to harden, so use the back of the fork to press down and allow the detergent to soak into the glue.

Knead the slime by hand for about 1-2 minutes. Then, remove the slime from the bowl. Squeeze and roll the slime with your fingers until it becomes firmer and less watery. This step should take about 1-2 minutes.

• The longer you knead, the firmer the slime will become and the more it will resemble putty.
• If the slime is still too sticky, add more laundry detergent. Start by adding 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of detergent.

Add shaving cream to make the slime fluffier (if desired). If you'd like to make the slime softer, place it in a bowl and spray a bit of shaving cream on top. Knead the shaving cream into the slime, making sure to scrape the remaining cream from the sides of the bowl. This process takes just a few minutes.

• Make sure the shaving cream you use is foamy, not gel.
• The slime will appear lighter in color after adding shaving cream.

Store the slime in an airtight container after you're done playing with it. A plastic container or a resealable plastic bag works well for storage. Keep in mind that slime will dry out and become hard after a few days. The length of time the slime lasts depends on how often you play with it. The more frequently you use it and expose it to air, the faster it will dry out.