“How do I make slime with borax?” Is this you? Maybe you have come here as slime beginner looking to make borax slime or maybe you need to troubleshoot your current borax slime recipe. Well, we have the best classic borax slime recipe around with either white or clear glue. Check out tonnes of fun ways to make homemade slime. Don’t miss out!
HOW TO MAKE SLIME WITH BORAX
BORAX SLIME
We have been experimenting with our borax slime recipe to double-check the measurements, ingredients, and consistency to make sure we are still enjoying this slime. You know what? We still love it and think you will too!
This borax slime recipe is really quite versatile because it allows you to really fine-tune the thickness of your slime when using white glue. However, when using clear glue we only recommend following the standard recipe.
Watch us make borax slime live in the video below!
HOW DOES BORAX SLIME WORK?
We always like to include a bit of homemade slime science around here! Slime is an excellent chemistry demonstration and kids love it too! Mixtures, substances, polymers, cross-linking, states of matter, elasticity, and viscosity are just a few of the science concepts that can be explored with homemade slime!
What’s slime science all about? The borate ions in the slime activator (sodium borate, borax powder, or boric acid) mix with the PVA (polyvinyl acetate) glue and form this cool stretchy substance. This is called cross-linking!
The glue is a polymer and is made up of long, repeating, and identical strands or molecules. These molecules flow past one another keeping the glue in a liquid state. Until…
You add the borate ions to the mixture, and it then starts to connect these long strands together. They begin to tangle and mix until the substance is less like the liquid you started with and thicker and rubberier like slime! Slime is a polymer.
Picture the difference between wet spaghetti and leftover spaghetti the next day. As the slime forms, the tangled molecule strands are much like the clump of spaghetti!
Is slime a liquid or solid?
We call it a Non-Newtonian fluid because it’s a little bit of both! Experiment with making the slime more or less viscous with varying amounts of foam beads. Can you change the density?
Did you know that making slime aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)?
It does and you can use slime making to explore states of matter and its interactions. Find out more below…
BORAX SLIME RECIPE
Get your slime ingredients ready, here I show you how to make slime with borax in these pictures using only clear glue but go ahead and add color and glitter if you wish! Also, you can use white glue instead.
Now if you don’t want to use borax powder, you can absolutely test out one of our other basic recipes using liquid starch or saline solution.
YOU WILL NEED
- 1/4 tsp Borax Powder {found in laundry detergent aisle}
- 1/2 cup Clear or White Washable PVA School Glue
- 1 cup of Water divided into 1/2 cups
- Food Coloring, Glitter, Confetti (Optional)
- Bowl, Spoon, Measuring Cups
- Grab your FREE Clickable slime Supplies Pack!
HOW TO MAKE SLIME WITH BORAX
STEP 1: Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of borax powder into 1/2 cup of warm water in one of the three bowls. Mix this thoroughly.
BORAX SLIME NOTE: We have recently tinkered with our recipe and found that for a better oozing and more stretchy slime we prefer 1/4 tsp of borax powder (if using clear glue always use 1/4 tsp). If you like a firmer slime and are using white glue, we experimented with 1/2 tsp and 1 tsp. 1 tsp makes a much firmer putty-like slime.
STEP 2: In the second bowl measure out about 1/2 cup of clear glue and mix with 1/2 cup of water until well mixed.
STEP 3: Pour borax/water mixture into glue/water mixture and stir it up! You will see it come together right away. It will seem stringy and clumpy, but that’s ok! Remove from bowl.
STEP 4: Spend a few minutes kneading the mixture together. You may have leftover borax solution.
Knead and play with your slime until smooth and stretchy! If you want the slime to look like liquid glass, find out the secret here.
SLIMY TIP: Remember, slime does not like to be pulled quickly as it will surely snap due to its chemical composition (read slime science here). Stretch your slime slowly and you will really see it’s full stretchiest potential!
No more having to print out a WHOLE blog post for just one recipe!
Get our basic slime recipes in an easy to print format so you can knock out the activities!
—>>> FREE SLIME RECIPE CARDS
WHY IS MY BORAX SLIME SO THICK?
I have found that clear glue and borax powder produces a thicker slime over white glue and borax powder. You can test out both and see which one you like better!
Because we love to showcase our seasonal confetti in very clear slime, we like to use the borax powder as a slime activator.
As mentioned above, use the ratio of 1/4 tsp of borax powder to 1/2 cup of warm water! Comparing the viscosity of different slime recipes is also a neat science experiment. Check out how to turn slime into a fun slime science project!
HELPFUL SLIME MAKING RESOURCES
Everything you need to know about making slime is below! Did you know we also have fun with science experiments?
MORE RECIPES WITH BORAX
Borax slime is perfect for when you need a translucent slime to showcase your favorite confetti.
CRUNCHY SLIME
FLOWER SLIME
HOMEMADE FIDGET PUTTY
BORAX BOUNCY BALLS
MAKE BORAX SLIME FOR COOL SCIENCE AND PLAY!
Click on the image below or on the link for tons of cool slime recipes to make!
Borax Slime Recipe
Make slime quickly and easily with this borax slime recipe that uses borax powder and glue! Clear glue slime is the best with this homemade slime recipe!
- 1/4 tsp Borax Powder ((found in laundry detergent aisle))
- 1/2 cup Clear or White Washable PVA School Glue
- 1 cup Water (Divide into 1/2 cups)
- Food Coloring, Glitter, Confetti (Make fun themes!)
Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of borax powder into 1/2 cup of warm water in one of the three bowls. Mix this thoroughly.
In the second bowl measure out about 1/2 cup of clear glue and mix with 1/2 cup of water until well mixed.
Pour borax/water mixture into glue/water mixture and stir it up! You will see it come together right away. It will seem stringy and clumpy, but that’s ok! Remove from bowl.
Spend a few minutes kneading the mixture together. You may have leftover borax solution. Knead and play with your slime until smooth and stretchy!
Make sure to read through our tips and tricks throughout the post if you are having difficulty making slime!
Store your slime in a reusable container with a lid. If you keep it clean, the slime will last for weeks!
Easy Slime Recipe with Contact Solution
Karen
Will regular white liquid glue work as well?
good
worst tutorial. Try including measurements moron.
Melissa Marsh
How long does the borax slime last? I want to make and give as a gift.
littlebins
It can last up to a month. I store in a plastic disposable container.
littlebins
I am sorry you were unable to read the article properly and missed the measurements. I would refrain from calling people morons as you are the only person who has not been able to use the recipe.
littlebins
Terribly sorry you weren’t able to read the post correctly. Have a closer look and please don’t call people morons. You have been the only person unable to read it correctly.
littlebins
Yes as long as it is Elmers washable. My 4th of July slime is with Elmers white glue and clear glue.
Teri
HEY GOOD SAYS, why don’t you open your eyes and SHUT your mouth before you make an idiotic comment. If you can’t appreciate the time and effort that goes into keeping up a website and giving people good ideas, then get lost and figure out how to make your own crafts!!!!!!!!!!!!! SMH RUDE IDIOT!!!
Sarit
Hi I live in South Africa so I can’t get elmers glue… I used pritt project glue it didn’t work 🙁 what kind of glue shold I use. Is it a kids craft glue
littlebins
Hmm wellElmers glue is definitely the best as I have had trouble with others too. This glue is called washable school glue so maybe you can find a bottle with that listed on it. I did try a gold slime with a generic bottle of gold sparkle glue and it worked ok. You really had to knead it and work at it though.
Lisa
It turned out great, but I did find that it breaks apart and can be crumbly if you try to bounce or pull it apart… is that normal?
Theresa Chiasson
Yes we use regular glue and mix the borax in hot tap water. This works best!!
yvooon
i tried with clear glue and white glue. the clear one came out too chunky (it falls apart and doesn’t stretch. the white glue one came out like intestines… (i added blue coloring from a highlighter to the white one)
Peggy yeates
It has to be pva glue
Hanna
Yes
littlebins
You want to make sure it is Elmers washable glue.
littlebins
The clear glue can be a little thicker than the white glue for slime. Have you tried the liquid starch recipe?
Unknown
It just needs to be PVA glue and preferably clear drying glue.
carysiana
Yes ((:
Nookies
Do you have an ideas why did my slime just last for 2-3days. It turns out runny..seems like glue has been separated from water.
littlebins
What brand glue did you use? It may be due to climate conditions as well. How was it stored? I have not had my slime separate before!
Violet
Yes
emily
That happened to me too!! I want to play with it and pull it apart but it breaks I” leaving it overnight in the fridge to see if it does anything.
Denise
Do i really need to use up all of the glue? Or can i just use a smaller bottle of glue? Will the effect be the same?
littlebins
You can use a smaller amount as long as you adjust the amounts of the other ingredients accordingly. For my Easter slime I made smaller portions to give them different colors.
Isabel
Where to buy elmers glue
littlebins
Any school supply or big box store will have this glue. I also included links to Amazon to purchase glue there if you use Amazon.
Ciana
It just needs to contain pva
E. Rush
What do you do if the slime is just like water and wont become actual slime?
Kate Booker
Mine last for like 6 months with this recipe but it’s fun making others too Y’all crafts
Jade
My slime turned hard within mins
littlebins
Awesome!
littlebins
What do you mean by hard? Dbl check the measurements. I have never had too hard a slime. Did it get crumbly. You can also check out our liquid starch slime recipe. That’s one of our easiest.
TiTaniumANC
how to you fix slime when it gets too sticky and breaks
TiTaniumANC
how do you fix sticky slime
hailey
yes it will work you just have to make sure it is Elmers glue bbg
LORI
I have a question. .. has anyone ever had to replace their borax with a new box? My daughter was the slime queen, and then one day all of sudden the slime was not turning into slime anymore. After a lot of trial and error we discovered it was the borax. We only used about a third of the box and then it “went bad”. We bought a new box, and it worked again. Has this happen to anyone else?
littlebins
Hi! I have not had that happen before. I have made it through a whole box using it for various experiments and had the same box for quite awhile. Glad that you were able to get back to it with a new box! I have had the opposite experience with a pack of elemers glue I had purchased. Each one refused to cooperate. I went and bought a new batch and it worked fine again. Though surprising that you were able to use some of the box.
DeMonica
Hi! Thanks for the great recipe. I’ve used it several times with my kids (4 & 5 yrs old), mixing in different objects or glitter for different seasons/holidays. So fun!
I think when people have trouble getting their Slime to be slimy, they’re making a mistake I made at first. They’re not fully mixing the glue & water in step 2. What I do now is put the glue & water into a container with a lid, & shake it vigorously. When I do that, no water comes out of solution in the final mix. If you end up with extra water separating out, and kind of hard Slime, you need to mix the glue & water more thoroughly.
Hope this helps someone. Thanks again for your great crafty science resource!
Jess
Oh yeah do u have to use 1 cup of hot, warm or cold water for the borax method? Because I can’t manage to make slime and I’m deverstated!!!
littlebins
Hi! You can use warm water. I am sorry you having trouble. Borax slime is not my favorite recipe. Why not try our liquid starch slime recipe. This is the one we make for almost all our slime themes you see. https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/liquid-starch-slime-easy-sensory-play-recipe/
Sarah
I used Pritt white glue and it does work (it does,however, need to be PVA glue) oh and I’m also from SA! I have used Pritt, Devil glue and numerous more different types so as long as it is PVA it should work. I did also want to ask if the Borax solution needs to be warm when mixing it in to make the slime? I have never tried with it cold because I am scared I will mess it up and waste glue. And why does my slime sometimes have a liquid layer on top of my slime? It doesn’t happen all the time but it does happen ! Thanks a million!
littlebins
I would use warm water! I will make sure to go in and fix that. New photos will be coming soon. I am not accustomed to using any other type of glue, so the layer may be due to that or to humidity/temperature.
MissDibayana
What are borax? Sorry im from malaysia.
Nicole Jhurani
Hi littlebins! You’re slime is a great recipe! But I have one question. How many days do I wait for the air
Bubbles to go away? Please answer ASAP!
Natalie Schafer
Im confused about the 1/2 cup water added to the glue? Is it from the borax water we mixed up or plain water? That could be a lot of the reasons some of the slime others are trying isnt working
Whitney
Can you double this recipe and it comes out the same?
littlebins
You definitely can!
Heather
Well said!! My 7 year old made it just fine. Now who is the moron???
littlebins
You need to make the glue/ water mixture first then you add the water/borax mixture.
littlebins
Can take at least 3 days to completely remove air bubbles.
littlebins
It’s a type of laundry detergent powder!
littlebins
You can mix the borax and water again and dunk your slime into it to see if that takes away the stickiness!
Beth
Best and most simple recipe I’ve tried. White glue had a better texture than the clear for us. When you add the glue mixture to the borax mixture you will end up with a lot of excess water, just a reminder, move the flubber to a new bowl and discard the excess water… consistancy will improve in a few minutes with continued kneading.
littlebins
Thank you! Yes it gets better with kneading doesn’t it!
Reagan Lampe
Borax is bad for you
littlebins
It’s a personal choice but we have resources showing the actual information behind borax that will help you make an informed decision.
Dragon
That’s rude there are probably kids doing this
Trisha Jade Mansayo
Hi….the boraxmis so the best
Olena
Hi
How much exactly in one cup of water. For example when you saying mix one teaspon of borax with cup of water… how big is the cap? We trying to prepre Borax solution…
Many thanks
littlebins
Hi! It’s one cup of water to 1 tsp! We made three batches this morning. have fun.
Tamara
I measured exactly and the slime came out crumbling. Can I fix it?
littlebins
If you used clear glue, try adding a bit more water next time when you mix the water and glue. You can add a little bit of the borax mixture at a time to see how that goes as well. You can’t really fix what you have though. Good luck.
Nita
my granddaughter made slime with borax but she used one of my cooking bowls to make it. Do I now have to throw the bowl away or do I throw it away? Thanks for this website. I will remember the next time.
littlebins
I simply run my bowls through the dishwasher with the other dishes. If you wash and set aside for only slime making or science experiments that’s an option too.
Katie
How is borax bad for you? Even in the slime recipes that use saline solution for contact lenses, that stuff has borax in it too.
littlebins
You are absolutely true! Did you listen to Steve Spangler talk about borax powder? I think I put a link in there. Liquid starch and saline solutions all contain borate ions from the boron family just like borax powder. I am not a chemist, but I trust what I have heard so far. We don’t use much and dilute it thoroughly. I would say however if you are sensitive to laundry detergents and cleaners that borax slime might be harsher on your skin then say saline solution. Everyone can make their own choice since we have some great slime recipes to choose from!.
littlebins
Read the recipe, double check the ingredients and try again. This should not fail unless you have the incorrect glue or are not following the steps.
Annie
Can i use dish soap to make slime? I’m already tried to make dish soap slime and I did it. This slime recipe is awesome also easy process.
Hannah Cummings
How much slime does this recipe make? Going to do for a summer camp where each kid makes their own. Are these the measurements that would make individual batches?
littlebins
HI! It really depends on how much you want each kid to have! I like this size for one kiddo but it can easily be halved. If you only want them to take a sample home, then it can be split up to 5 ways and put in small condiment containers!