How to Make Slime with Laundry Detergent and Shampoo

When it comes to school science, experiments slime ranks number one, giving students a hands-on way to learn about chemical reactions, polymers, and viscosity. Creating slime at home is even more fun and can provide you and your children with hours of enjoyment using just a few common ingredients. Put away the electronics and get back to basics with these tips on how to make slime with laundry detergent and other household items, from the helpful team at Mr. Appliance®.

What is Slime?

Slime has been around for decades but has recently gained a newfound popularity among both kids and adults. This gooey substance is made using a combination of a variety of different household items and can be customized to obtain the colour, texture, and consistency you desire. The fascination with slime lies with its malleability and the fact that it resembles both a liquid and a solid. In addition to being fun, handling slime can also be stress relieving while teaching kids about the wonders of science.

Is Slime Safe?

Many slime recipes found online require the use of borax, a common laundry additive. While borax may be safe to use in small quantities, the amounts called for in some recipes can prove to be toxic and may cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms if accidentally ingested or used on those with sensitive skin including:

• Skin irritation
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Stomach cramps
• Seizures

There are a number of recipes using alternative ingredients which are considered safe for use, but as with any toy or substance be sure to supervise any child that may be at risk of putting the slime in or near their mouth.

How to Make Slime With Laundry Detergent

You will need:

• A bowl
• Glue
• Liquid laundry detergent
• Shampoo (optional)
• Glitter (optional)
• Colouring (optional)

1. Mix together equal quantities of white school glue and water in a bowl, starting with one-half cup of each.

2. Add food colouring and/or glitter as desired and stir well. Begin with two drops of food colouring and/or one teaspoon of glitter increasing the quantities as needed to achieve the look you want.

3. Mix in one-quarter cup of liquid laundry detergent and stir well.

4. Knead the mixture for several minutes until it reaches the desired consistency. The longer you knead it the more firm the slime will be.

5, Add some scent and a smooth texture to your mixture by mixing in one or more teaspoons of your favourite shampoo.

Slime Tips and Tricks

Have fun with slime by experimenting with ingredients that change the texture and consistency of the final product. Tips include:

• Adding cornstarch to your recipe will result in a fluffier slime.
• Use washable school glue in all your recipes.
• Clear glue will result in a clear slime rather than opaque.
• If your slime is too sticky try kneading it a little longer or adding a few drops of dish soap.
• Store your slime in a plastic container with an airtight lid.
• Slime will last at room temperature for several days.
• Place the container in the refrigerator to store your slime for up to a month.