How to Make Slime with Shampoo and Toothpaste

What’s not to love about slime? It’s icky, sticky, oozy, and gooey! Most slime recipes use a combination of school glue and borax, but what if you don’t have any? Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can make slime out of household ingredients, including shampoo and toothpaste. Keep reading to learn how you can turn your daily hygiene items into a fun, squishy, and drizzly slime.

Things You Should Know

Mix 2 tbsp (30 mL) of thick shampoo and 1 tsp (5 mL) of toothpaste together to form the base of your slime.
Add more shampoo to your slime mixture if it’s too hard, or add more toothpaste if it’s too runny.
Put your slime in the freezer for at least 10 minutes and up to 1 hour until it’s your desired consistency.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Basic Shampoo and Toothpaste Slime

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1
Pour a dollop of thick shampoo into a little dish. Any shampoo will work, but one with a thicker consistency works best. Put two squeezes, or about 2 tbsp (30 mL), of the shampoo into a dish you can stir the slime together in later.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Try adding 1 or 2 drops of food coloring to the shampoo if you want colored slime.
2
Add a small amount of toothpaste to the shampoo. Opaque toothpaste (white or mint colored) works best, but you can also try the striped kind. Use a quarter of the amount of toothpaste you did shampoo. About 1 tsp (5 mL) or so is enough.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Slime makers have the most success with brand toothpaste, but any brands should do the trick.
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Use a craft stick, toothpick, or spoon. As you stir, the shampoo and toothpaste will come together to form a gooey substance. Keep stirring until it’s well combined, which should take about a minute.^{[3]XResearch source}
4
Add more shampoo or toothpaste, if needed, and continue stirring. If the slime is too hard, add some more shampoo. If the slime is too runny, add more toothpaste. Stir the slime well for another minute or so, or until it’s the same color and texture.^{[4]XResearch source}
- There’s no right or wrong way to make this slime. Make it to match your preferences!
5
Freeze the slime for 10 to 60 minutes. Chilling the slime is essentially the “activator” of this recipe as it binds the ingredients together to create a moldable consistency. Check the slime in 10-minute increments until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Take a close look at the slime in the freezer and make sure no ice particles are forming on top. If ice forms, move it to a different spot in the freezer or pop it in the fridge for around 6 hours.^{[5]XResearch source}
Take the slime out of the freezer. Roll, squish, and squeeze the slime between your fingers until it becomes soft and squishy again. The slime won’t turn runny like before but will be easily moldable.^{[6]XResearch source}
This slime is very thick, almost like putty. You can squish, squeeze, and stretch it. When you're done playing with it, put it away into a small plastic container with a lid. The slime will eventually dry out, so throw it away and make a fresh batch when it becomes too hard to mold.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Salt Slime

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About 1 to 2 quick squeezes of any thick shampoo will do. If you want your slime to be colored, consider using a colored shampoo or adding a few drops of food coloring.^{[7]XResearch source}
Use roughly a third of the amount of toothpaste as you did shampoo. Any type of toothpaste will work, but opaque toothpaste is the most popular option.^{[8]XResearch source}
Use a toothpick, craft stick, or spoon to stir the shampoo and toothpaste together. Keep mixing until the color and texture are even.^{[9]XResearch source}
4
Add a pinch of salt to the slime and stir. In this recipe, the salt is your activator, merging all the ingredients to create a shapeable goo. Use plain table salt, as chunky rock salt won't mix in very well. Stir for about a minute or until the shampoo, toothpaste, and salt are well combined.^{[10]XResearch source}
- The slime will thicken and become dough-like as you stir.
- If your slime isn’t the right consistency, add more ingredients as you stir. More shampoo will make it slimier, and more toothpaste will make it doughier.
This slime is thick and somewhat fluffy, so you can squish it, knead it, and stretch it. When you don't want to play with it anymore, put it into a plastic container with a lid. The slime will eventually lose its elasticity, even when stored away. If this happens, no worries! Simply toss out the old slime and make a new batch.^{[11]XResearch source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Gooey Slime

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1
Put 1 to 2 squirts of a 2-in-1 shampoo into a dish. This type of shampoo is thicker and slimier than others, making it a perfect base for gooier slimes. 1 to 2 squeezes of shampoo (or roughly 2 tbsp (30 mL) should be enough to get you started.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Slime makers tend to use Sauve Kids for this slime recipe, but any 2-in-1 shampoo should work well.
- Consider picking a scented shampoo to make your slime smell amazing.
2
Squeeze about 1 tbsp (15 mL) of opaque toothpaste into the dish. Use half the amount of toothpaste as you did shampoo. If you want your slime to be stickier, use even less. The toothpaste, however, must be opaque as the formula works best for creating slime.^{[13]XResearch source}
- The brand of toothpaste you use is up to you, but slime makers recommend using Colgate.
Use a craft stick, toothpick, or spoon to mix up your slime. Keep stirring until the shampoo and toothpaste come together to form a thick, gooey consistency, which should only take about a minute or so.^{[14]XResearch source}
If the slime is too slimy, add more toothpaste. If it’s not slimy enough, add more shampoo. Keep stirring and adding ingredients until it’s the perfect texture.
This slime clumps together. It’s icky and sticky—the perfect gooey mess! When you’re done playing with it, put it into a small plastic container with a tight-fitting lid to save for later. Eventually, the slime will harden, and you won’t be able to squish it anymore (even after storing it in an air-tight container). But you can always make more!^{[15]XResearch source}

Community Q&A

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Question
What kind of shampoo is needed?
Community Answer
A thick shampoo; for example, Pantene, Head & Shoulders, or Suave Kids 3-in-1.
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What kind of toothpaste should I use?
Community Answer
You can basically use any type of toothpaste, as long as it's the color you want, as you probably won't be able to change it.
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Question
Does this slime feel sticky, or can I play with it like real putty?
XmischaX
Community Answer
It depends on how you make it. If you put it in the freezer/fridge for a long time, it won't be sticky and you can play with it like real putty.
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Tips

If your hands stick together while playing with the slime, try coating them in a thin layer of conditioner or lotion.
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Helpful19 Not Helpful6
If your slime is too slimy even after adding more toothpaste, add a teaspoon (5 g) or so of flour or cornstarch to dry it out.
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