Buzz
Borax is frequently used in various slime recipes, as the combination of borax powder and water gives the slime its distinct shape. Almost every type of slime can be made using this borax solution, but some simpler slime variations are sure to delight anyone who creates them!
If you are looking for a recipe that doesn't use borax, check out how to make slime without borax.
Ingredients
Standard Slime
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) of borax powder
- 1 cup (240ml) of hot water
- 110g of glue
- Food coloring (optional)
Foamy Slime
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) of borax powder
- 1 cup (240ml) of hot water
- 110g of glue
- 1/2 cup (120ml) of shaving cream
- Food coloring (optional)
Clear Slime
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) of borax powder
- 1 cup (240ml) of hot water
- 110g of clear glue
Steps
Making Standard Slime
Prepare the borax solution. Add 1 teaspoon of borax powder into 1 cup (240ml) of hot water and stir until the solution becomes clear. Set the solution aside for later use.
Pour 110g of glue into a bowl.
Add food coloring, if desired. If you want your slime to have color, you can choose any food coloring to add to the glue, then mix it well. Start with 1-2 drops of color, as too much can stain your tools.
Slowly add the borax solution into the glue. Don't pour it all at once – doing so will cause the slime to harden! Gradually add a few spoonfuls at a time and stir well. The mixture will begin to bond together.
- You might not need to use all of the borax solution, so don’t be surprised if you have quite a bit left over.
Drain any excess water. After mixing borax with glue, you might notice some leftover water in the bowl. Simply tilt the bowl to pour out the excess. If you skip this step, the texture of your slime may not turn out as expected.
- Don’t try to mix the water back into the slime – the essence of slime remains glue once combined with borax.
Knead the slime with your hands. Once the slime starts to come together and pull away from the bowl, take it out and knead it by hand. This step will help reduce stickiness.
- If the slime is still too sticky, add a teaspoon of the borax solution and continue stirring or kneading. Try to avoid letting it stick to your hands too much.
Play with the slime! Once the slime reaches the desired consistency, you can stretch and enjoy playing with it. When you're done, store it in an airtight container.
Making Foamy Slime
Prepare the borax solution. Add 1 teaspoon of borax powder into 1 cup (240ml) of hot water and stir until the water becomes completely clear. Set it aside for later use.
Pour 110g of glue into a bowl.
Mix in ½ cup (120ml) of shaving cream. Combine the glue and shaving cream together. The texture of the mixture will become foamy, thick, and soft after mixing.
Add a few drops of food coloring, if desired. If you want your foamy slime to have color, you can choose your favorite food coloring and add a few drops to the glue and shaving cream mixture. Stir until no white streaks remain. Start with 1-2 drops – adding too much color may stain your tools.
- If you use plant-based dye for coloring the slime, remember to wear gloves while mixing – otherwise, your hands will get stained!
Start adding the borax solution to the mixture. Be careful not to pour it all in at once, as this will cause the slime to harden. Instead, add a few spoonfuls at a time and stir. The slime will begin to form and pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- Typically, you won't use all the borax solution, so don’t be surprised if you have quite a bit left over.
Knead the slime by hand. Once the slime has thickened and formed, take it out of the bowl and start kneading it with your hands to reduce stickiness.
- If the slime is still too sticky while kneading, add a little more borax solution and continue kneading. Be careful not to let it stick too much to your hands.
Play with the slime! Once the slime has reached the perfect consistency, you'll have a foamy and soft slime that you can mold, twist, and stretch however you like. Store it in an airtight container when you're done playing.
Making Clear Slime
Prepare the borax solution. Add 1 teaspoon of borax powder into 1 cup (240ml) of hot water and stir until the water becomes completely clear. Set this solution aside for later use.
Pour 110g of clear glue into a bowl.
Begin adding the borax solution. Avoid pouring it all at once – doing so will cause the slime to become too hard! Instead, carefully add one teaspoon of the borax solution at a time and stir slowly to ensure the mixture doesn’t foam. You will see the glue begin to bond and pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- You likely won’t use all of the borax solution, so don’t worry if there’s still a lot left over.
Knead the slime by hand. Once the slime has come together, take it out of the bowl and knead it by hand. This step will help eliminate the stickiness of the slime.
- If the slime is still too sticky, add more borax solution and continue kneading, making sure it doesn't stick to your hands.
Let the slime sit for a while. There's a chance that the slime may turn white and lose its transparency when kneading. Place the slime in an airtight container for a few days to restore its clear appearance.
Play with the slime! Once the slime is clear, you can freely press, stretch, and play with it. Remember to store the slime in an airtight container after playing with it.
Tips
- You can create various types of slime using borax solution – try experimenting with different slime recipes for inspiration.
- Try mixing other materials into the slime before adding the borax solution. For instance, adding glitter or beads will result in glitter slime or fishbowl slime!
- Food coloring can be substituted with liquid dye, though it may stain more easily!
- If you rub lotion into the slime, it will stretch more.
- Do you like fragrant slime? Mix in some scented soap or essential oils before adding the borax solution.
Warning
- Do not add too much borax to the water. This will cause the slime to become stiff and may harm your skin.
What you need
- Bowl
- Spoon or stirring stick
- Measuring tools
