How to Make Slime with Borax

Borax is commonly used in quite a few slime recipes, since a solution made of borax powder and water helps the slime to gain its form. Just about any slime can be made with a borax solution, but there are some simple slimes that can be fun for whoever chooses to make them!

If you're looking for slime recipes that don't require borax, check out How to Make Slime Without Borax instead.

Ingredients

Normal Slime

1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) borax powder
1 cup (240 ml) hot water
4 ounces (110 g) glue
Food coloring (optional)

Fluffy Slime

1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) borax powder
1 cup (240 ml) hot water
4 ounces (110 g) glue
¹⁄₂ cup (120 ml) shaving cream
Food coloring (optional)

Clear Slime

1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) borax powder
1 cup (240 ml) hot water
4 ounces (110 g) clear glue

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making Normal Slime

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Add 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of borax powder into 1 cup (240 ml) of hot water, and stir until the water is fully clear. Set aside for later use.
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If you want your slime to be colorful, take a food coloring of your choice and add it into the glue, then mix well so it blends thoroughly. Start off by just adding a drop or two of food coloring - adding too much food coloring can result in your slime staining things.
4
Begin adding the borax solution into the glue. Don't add it all at once - your slime will harden if you do that! Just add a few teaspoons of the borax solution into the glue at a time, and then mix your slime. It should begin to clump and stick together.
- You probably won't use all your borax solution, so don't be surprised if you have a fair amount left over.
5
Pour off the excess water. After the borax combines with the glue, you may notice some extra water in the bowl. If that happens, simply tip the glue to pour off any excess. If you don't, your slime may be the wrong consistency.^{[1]XExpert SourceLois Wade
How.com.vn Crafts ExpertExpert Interview. 30 July 2020.}
- Don't try to incorporate the water into the slime—the slime itself is the glue after it's been modified by the borax.^{[2]XExpert SourceLois Wade
  How.com.vn Crafts ExpertExpert Interview. 30 July 2020.}
6
Knead the slime with your hands. Once your slime has clumped up and has begin to pull away from the bowl, take it out and knead it with your hands. This will help make it less sticky.^{[3]XResearch source}
- If your slime is still too sticky, add about a teaspoon of the borax solution and stir or knead it in. Try not to get too much on your hands.
Once your slime has reached the consistency you want, you're free to play with it and stretch it. When you're finished, store it in an airtight container.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making Fluffy Slime

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Add 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of borax powder into 1 cup (240 ml) of hot water, and stir until the water is fully clear. Set aside for later use.
Mix the glue and the shaving cream together. The resulting texture should be fluffy, thick, and soft.^{[4]XResearch source}
4
Put in a few drops of food coloring, if you want. If you want colorful fluffy slime, pick out a food coloring of your choice and add a few drops to the glue and shaving cream mixture, then mix it until there are no more white streaks. Start off with just a drop or two of food coloring - adding too much can result in your slime staining things.
- If you use vegetable dye to color your slime, be sure to wear gloves while you're mixing it—otherwise, your hands could become stained!^{[5]XExpert SourceLois Wade
  How.com.vn Crafts ExpertExpert Interview. 30 July 2020.}
5
Begin adding the borax solution. Be careful not to add it all at once, since that will make your slime harden. Instead, add it a few teaspoons at a time, and stir. The slime should begin to clump up and pull away from the bowl.^{[6]XResearch source}
- It's unlikely that you'll use all of your borax solution, so don't be surprised if you have a fair amount left over.
6
Knead the slime with your hands. Once your slime has clumped into a solid form, take it out of the bowl and begin to knead it with your hands, to make it less sticky.
- If your slime is too sticky to knead, add in a bit more of the borax solution and knead it in. Be careful not to get too much on your hands.
Once your slime has reached the right consistency, you'll have a fluffy, soft slime that you can twist, stretch, and squeeze as much as you want. Keep it in an airtight container when finished.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making Clear Slime

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Add 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of borax powder into 1 cup (240 ml) of hot water, and stir until the water is fully clear. Set aside for later use.
3
Begin adding the borax solution. Avoid adding it all at once - your slime will harden that way! Instead, carefully add 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) at a time of the borax solution, and stir it in slowly so that it doesn't form bubbles. You should see the glue begin to clump and pull away from the bowl.
- You're probably not going to use all of your borax solution, so don't be surprised if you have a fair amount left over.
4
Knead the slime with your hands. Once your slime has fully clumped together, pull it out of the bowl with your hands and begin to knead it. This will get rid of any residual stickiness.
- If your slime is still too sticky, add in a little bit more borax solution and then knead it in, being careful not to get it on your hands.
Chances are, while kneading your clear slime, it became white and hard to see through. Letting it sit in an airtight container for a few days will allow it to become clear again.
Once your slime has cleared up, stretch it, poke it, and play with it as you see fit. Store it in an airtight container when finished.

Expert Q&A

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Question
Why is my slime runny?
Lois Wade
How.com.vn Crafts Expert
Lois Wade has 45 years of experience in crafts including sewing, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, drawing, and paper crafts. She has been contributing to craft articles on How.com.vn since 2007.
Lois Wade
How.com.vn Crafts Expert
Expert Answer
Remember to pour off the excess water after your borax combines with the glue. If you try to incorporate the water into the slime mixture, it will be too runny.
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Question
Can I use any type of glue?
Community Answer
As long as the glue contains PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol), it will work.
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Question
Will shaving gel work?
Community Answer
Yes, shaving gel will work just as well as shaving cream.
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Tips

You can make various types of slime with a borax solution - try looking up some slime recipes for ideas.
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Try mixing things into your slime before adding the borax solution. For example, if you add glitter or beads, you can end up with glittery slime or fishbowl slime!
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Watercolor paints can be used in place of food coloring, but they can stain more.
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