Looking for a simple way to make slime without liquid starch or borax powder? This easy slime with eye drops recipe shows you exactly how to make smooth, stretchy slime using an alternative activator.
Eye drops (or eyewash) that contain boric acid can activate glue the same way saline solution does — just in a different amount. This method works especially well in places where liquid starch or borax powder are hard to find.
We’ll walk you through the exact ratios, how many drops to add, and how to knead it properly so your slime turns out soft, stretchy, and not sticky.
👉 New to slime? Start with our beginner guide → Homemade Slime Recipe
Why Eye Drops Work For Slime
Most slime activators work because they contain borate ions.
Eye drops, saline solution, and borax powder all activate glue the same way — they just use different strengths.
Eye drops are weaker than saline solution, so you need more drops to activate the slime. See the full saline solution slime recipe here.
This makes it a great method for controlling slime texture.
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup PVA washable school glue (white or clear)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2–3/4 tsp baking soda
• ~45–60 drops eye drops (must contain boric acid)
• Food coloring (optional)
Supplies
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon or craft stick
• Measuring spoons
• Airtight storage container
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Mix Glue and Water
Pour the glue into a bowl.
Add the water and stir until fully combined.
Step 2: Add Baking Soda
Add 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon baking soda and mix well.
Baking soda helps strengthen the slime and control stickiness.
Step 3: Add Color (Optional)
Add food coloring and mix until evenly colored.
Step 4: Activate With Eye Drops (Slowly!)
Now begin adding eye drops in small groups.
Add about 10 drops → stir
Add 10 more → stir
Repeat
You will notice the mixture thickening gradually.
Around 40–50 drops the slime will start pulling away from the bowl but still feel sticky.
Step 5: Knead the Slime (Most Important Step)
Put a few drops of eye solution on your hands and remove the slime.
Knead slowly for 3–5 minutes.
The slime will change from sticky → stretchy → smooth.
If needed, add a few extra drops while kneading.
💡 Kneading is what actually finishes slime — not adding more activator.
How Much Eye Drop Solution Is Needed?
Typically:
White glue → ~45 drops
Clear glue → ~50–60 drops
Clear glue needs slightly more activator because it is more elastic.
Troubleshooting
Sticky slime → knead longer before adding more drops
Rubbery slime → too much activator added
Tearing slime → pull slower and let gravity stretch it
👉 Full fix guide → How To Fix Slime
The Science Behind It
Slime is a non-Newtonian fluid.
When borate ions in the eye drops bind to the glue molecules (polyvinyl acetate), they form long, flexible chains called polymers.
That’s what turns liquid glue into stretchy slime.
👉 Learn more → Slime Science Experiments
Storage
Store slime in an airtight container.
It will last several weeks.
If it feels stiff the next day, knead it again — the slime improves after resting.
Helpful Resources
• Slime Activator List
• What You Need To Make Slime
• How To Make Slime Less Sticky
• How To Get Slime Out Of Clothes And Hair
Extend the Learning with Slime
Our printable Slime Activity Pack includes step-by-step recipes, observations pages, challenges, and science extensions — perfect for home or classroom use.
Did you use regular contact solution or is it just plain eye drops
Eye drops or check out saline solution too!
WELL… boric acid is BORAX. If you got to the store and buy the box of borax it is the same thing the woman lied about her son being burned from. Borax is a major component of eye solution and if it is good enough for the eyes it is good enough for our clothes. We have allowed the eye industry very wealthy and slander a huge company. Borax is boric acid. So just get a box of borax which will be cheaper in the long run with making slime.
Yes, you can certainly do that. The borax slime recipe isn’t one of our favorites but not for any health reasons more for stretchiness! There is definitely a recipe out there for everyone. Boric acid is in the boron family along with borax powder but they are not one in a same. Boric acid has to go through a rigorous chemical reaction to become the powder that one can not do at home.
If the eye drops don’t contain boric acid, it won’t work, will it?
I have tried this recipe before but it didn’t work. My eye drops have polyvinyl acid, butt no boric acid. Will it still work? I don’t want to waste my ingredients on making slime that won’t work.
You are correct, it will not work without boric acid or a combo of boric acid/sodium borate.
I refuse to let my children play with slime because I am scared of the mess. Is this slime easy to clean and store?
Well, its definitely easy to store but you don’t want it to get all over furniture, rugs, clothes, and hair! If your kids are prone to throwing it and leaving it on things, it might get messy. We play at the counter or table so clean up is easy.
I’m not able to get Elmer’s glue where I live, can I de any type of PVA glue?
You should be able to use a different PVA glue but keep in mind you may need to tinker with the recipe!
I used PVA school glue bought from Hobbycraft in the UK. Worked a charm. https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/hobbycraft-school-pva-glue-300ml/590873-1000
oh my goodness! My little 8 yr old girl had a blast making this. It was super easy! She played with it for hours!!! Thank you so much!
You are welcome! So glad she had a blast with it!
Hi, I did this and it is really sticky and won’t work. It might be the ingredients but I’m not very sure. Please help! Thankyou
k the ingredients in your eye drops or solution! Boric acid and sodium borate are needed. If it does contain those things, you may need to add a little more and give it a good stir.
We used latex glue (can’t get Elmer’s glue where I live) and it worked great. The problem is my son put the slime all over his T-shirt and now it’s all dried up and un-removable. Do you have any tricks to get it out? Thank you!
Oh boy! Well first I am glad it worked for you, but sadly I don’t have any experience removing something like that. Have you tried letting it sit in a bucket of hot soap water?
Thank you! I soaked it in hot water and I was able to peel the slimy bits off using my finger nails. 🙂
Use hot or warm water and soak the shirt
Late reply, but maybe it will help in the future. I’ve heard vinegar works on removing slime. Personally I just wear old clothes when making it, no different from any other crafting project.
Hope the vinegar works for you!
I have wasted 3 bottles of Elmer’s glue trying to make slime. I made some yesterday from your recipe and it worked perfectly. Today , it won’t thicken. What can I do to make it thicken?
If you followed the recipe exactly, this should not be an issue since you achieved it once. Every now and then this will happen to me and I have found the reason to simply be a bad batch of glue! I would definitely check out amazon for the gallons of white glue. I couldn’t believe how much cheaper it was to make slime that way!
add more activator (liquid starch, borax, or contact solution with baking soda) little bit at a time like teaspoon.
PLEASE HELP ME
I have made this recipe 8 times in the hope of finding the right combo… but each time, without fail, it turns to rubber after a few hours. My girls get all excited play with it then the disappointment hits.
Please tell me what I can address do differently to stop this.
Feel free to email me at getmovingfitness@gmail.com for more help if you like! It may be the solution you are using and we can go over that together. What are therein ingredients in the eye drops?
I think I may have figured it out… but if I run into any issues I’ll definitely email!!!
I had made three colors of this slime. Light blue, pastel pink and a green that we turned to black. It worked super well but the next day it dried up. I have put it in a container with a lid. Can you help me where I went wrong on?
Just double checking that you originally stored it in a container with a lid? I figured thats what you meant. Did you try working it into itself? I don’t know what might have happened, I have a batch I never stuck in a container still sitting out and it hasn’t dried out. I would give it another go and make a fresh batch.
PLEASE HELP… I need some help… I just don’t get it 🙁
I have made this recipe 8 times in the hopes I will figure it out… but every time, without fail, after a few hours it turns to rubber. Please help me figure out what I am doing wrong. My girls get all excited and then boom… disappointment.
My daughter would like you to know we made a pink batch for a birthday gift and it turned out really well!
I am really happy to hear that! I hope you get a chance to try the fluffy slime too. My son thought it might be his new favorite!
Are there any shops or specific places we could get Elmer’s school glue from?
We purchase it from Amazon or store like Michaels Craft Supplies {which is also online}.
Elmers glue is sold at just about any store that sells office supplies;
Walmart
Walgreens
Cvs
Ralph’s
Albertsons
Probably most grocery stores
Target
Rite Aid
(I think you get the picture here)
I know this is a super late reply but hope it helps
I tried and it didn’t work… My saline solution does contain boric acid so the glue is the problem?
I’m from France and I didn’t use the Elmer’s school glue that everyone all over the Internet seems to use for slime. I used a vinylic white glue (standard glue used in french school). Any advice where it went wrong?
What brand of glue did you use? It really does need to be the Elmers Washable School Glue. Email me at getmovingfitness@gmail.com if you want some more help!
You need glue with PVA