How to Make Slime with Baking Soda

Slime sparks creativity in both children and adults. Another great aspect is that the creation process provides a fun learning experience. There are many ways to make slime from common household ingredients, including baking soda and milk. You can create a basic thick slime or add more fun with a bubbly slime bowl.

Measure 1 cup of baking soda. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into a bowl. It's best to start with 1 cup. In fact, there's no exact amount of ingredients for this slime. Using more or less than 1 cup won’t make a difference.

Add green dish soap to the baking soda. Add a small amount of green dish soap to the baking soda. It's recommended to use the green variety so your slime will also be green. Stir the dish soap with a spoon. Continue adding dish soap until the mixture has a consistency similar to cream sauce.

• The amount of dish soap you use is flexible. Add a little at a time until you get the desired texture. It will resemble green pudding.

Add more baking soda if the mixture is still too runny. If you accidentally added too much dish soap and the slime is too runny, just add more baking soda to fix it. If the slime looks too watery, pour in more baking soda to thicken it up.

Add some food coloring if needed. If the slime isn't as dark green as you’d like, add a few drops of food coloring. This will make your slime darker and more vibrant in color.

Play with the slime. You can add toys to your slime for more fun. For example, pretend that the slime is a toxic substance and let superheroes rescue those in danger. You can also use the slime to decorate models, like creating a haunted house and using slime to add a spooky effect.

• Don’t swallow the slime. Avoid putting it in your mouth.

Measure the vinegar into a bowl. Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into a bowl. Only use white vinegar, not apple cider vinegar or any other type.

Add xanthan gum. Xanthan gum is a thickener and stabilizer. You can buy it online or at stores that sell cosmetic ingredients. Add 1 and 1/4 teaspoons of xanthan gum to the vinegar and stir well. Continue stirring until all the white particles disappear and the mixture becomes smooth and clear.

• Xanthan gum can be hard to find in supermarkets, so you may need to order it online. Make sure to order it a few days before you plan to make the slime.

Add green food coloring. A few drops of green food coloring will give the mixture a gentle green hue. Start with a few drops and gradually add more until the mixture reaches the desired color.

Chill the mixture overnight. The mixture will still be runny when finished. To achieve a thicker consistency, place it in the fridge. While it will only take 2 to 3 hours to thicken, it’s best to leave it overnight. This ensures the xanthan gum fully dissolves.

Sprinkle baking soda on a flat surface. It’s recommended to do this near a sink or in a bathtub to have a surface that’s easy to clean after the process. Sprinkle the baking soda on the surface or the bottom of the bowl where you’ll work with it.

Stir the slime one more time. Once you take the mixture out of the fridge, give it another stir. Keep stirring until the slime appears opaque and has a slightly creamy, thick texture.

Add vinegar until the desired consistency is reached. To check if the mixture is ready, scoop a bit with a spoon and pour it back into the bowl. If the mixture flows quickly, it’s good to go. If it’s too thick and flows slowly, add a bit of vinegar and stir. Keep adding vinegar until the mixture flows easily.

Pour the mixture onto the surface covered with baking soda. Once the slime has thickened, pour it onto the surface with baking soda. Baking soda is a base, while the slime is acidic because of the vinegar. Adding baking soda will cause the slime to fizz. The more baking soda you add, the stronger and longer the fizz will be.

Play with the slime. There are many ways to enjoy slime. You can pretend the slime is toxic liquid from another planet and play with toy astronauts. Alternatively, use toy dinosaurs and imagine the slime as prehistoric goo. Some people just enjoy watching the slime bubble up.

• Remember to wash the toys after playing with the slime.
• Don’t eat the slime, as it is not safe to swallow.

Pour the milk into a cup. You will need 7 tablespoons of non-fat or skim milk in a cup or bowl. Full-fat milk won’t create the right consistency, so avoid using whole milk or 2% milk in place of skim milk.

Add vinegar. Stir 1 tablespoon of vinegar into the milk. This amount of vinegar is sufficient to cause the proteins in the milk to separate. The vinegar increases the acidity of the milk, causing the proteins to curdle.

• You will notice small curds forming as the milk reacts with the vinegar. These curds will sink to the bottom of the cup as the reaction takes place.

Strain the mixture through a coffee filter. When the curds have settled at the bottom of the cup, pour the liquid through a coffee filter. The liquid will pass through the filter, leaving the curds behind. Gently tap the curds with a paper towel to ensure they are dry and all the liquid has drained out. Then transfer the curds into a bowl.

Mix in baking soda. Once the curds are in the bowl, add ¼ tablespoon of baking soda. The baking soda will help the proteins firm up and achieve a firmer texture. The mixture will gradually begin to form into slime. Add baking soda until you reach a pudding-like consistency.

• The amount of baking soda you need depends on the size of the curds. If you're having trouble achieving the pudding-like texture, add a little baking soda each time until you get the right consistency.

Add green food coloring. A few drops of green food coloring will give the slime its color. Stir in the coloring. If you want a darker green, simply add more food coloring until you achieve the desired shade.

Playing with slime. Once you've made your slime, you can start playing with it right away. Shape it with your hands or use it to decorate models. For instance, you can use slime to create a mud puddle in the forest.

• Be sure not to let the slime come in contact with your mouth. It is not safe to eat.

• Supervise young children while they play with slime.
• If the slime becomes too stiff, simply add a little water.

• Never allow children to swallow slime.
• Vinegar is an acid, and baking soda is a base. Therefore, it is recommended to wear gloves and protective glasses when handling or supervising the slime-making process involving these substances.

• Fat-free milk
• Bowl and spoon
• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Green food coloring
• Green dish soap
• Coconut oil
• Xanthan gum
• Coffee filter paper