This article was reviewed by Amy Guerrero and by How.com.vn staff writer, Kyle Hall. Amy Guerrero is an Arts and Crafts Specialist and the Owner of Sunshine Craft Co., a crafting studio based in Phoenix, Arizona. Amy specializes in macrame, DIY crafting, and teaching fiber arts. She offers monthly in-person and online workshops along with having developed a range of DIY craft kits for at-home projects. Amy holds a BS in Industrial Design from Philadelphia University. She worked as a graphic designer before starting her own business. Sunshine Craft Co. is a creative hub that offers a wide range of workshops, tools, and resources for any craft project to inspire creativity and community engagement.
There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 1,760,714 times.
It's really easy to whip up your own bubble solution using ingredients you probably have on hand. We'll give you a few quick bubble solution recipes—one for simple bubbles using just a few ingredients and one for bubbles that last longer before they pop. Keep reading for step-by-step instructions and variations on these fantastic recipes!
Things You Should Know
- Mix 4 cups (950 mL) of warm water with 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) of liquid dish soap and 1/2 cup (100 g) of granulated sugar for an easy bubble solution.
- Add glycerin or corn syrup to your bubble solution for bubbles that float longer before they pop.
- Customize your bubble solution by adding food coloring, essential oils, or glow-in-the-dark paint.
Ingredients
Basic Bubble Solution without Glycerin
- 4 cups (950 mL) of warm water
- 1/2 cup (100 g) of granulated sugar
- 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) of liquid dish soap
Makes 4 1⁄2 cups (1.1 L) of bubble solution
- 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water
- 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of liquid dish soap
- 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of glycerin or corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) of granulated sugar
Makes 1 cup (240 ml) of bubble solution
Steps
- Pour 4 cups (950 mL) of warm water into a large jar. If you don't have a big jar, use a bowl or pitcher that's large enough to hold a little over 4 cups (950 mL) of liquid that will give you enough room for the other ingredients.[1]
- If you'd like to halve the recipe, pour just 2 cups (470 ml) of warm water into a jar and halve the remaining ingredients.
- For bubble solution that lasts longer, use distilled water. If you're not concerned about storing the solution, it's fine to use tap water.
- Stir in 1/2 cup (100 g) of granulated sugar. Add the sugar to the container and stir it for a few minutes so the sugar dissolves completely. The sugar dissolves faster in warm water than in cold.[2]
- If you're using a sealable jar, screw the lid on tightly and shake it until the sugar dissolves.
- Sugar sounds like an odd ingredient to add to bubble solution, but it binds the ingredients together so your bubbles and solution last longer.
- If you don't have any sugar, you can leave it out, but it will be harder to blow bubbles.
Advertisement - Stir in 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) of liquid dish soap. Go slow and steady with your mixing or your bubble solution will foam up. If you're using a jar, don't put the lid on and shake to combine the soap—use a long-handled spoon to stir it gently.[3]
- Use the solution or store it in an airtight container. Have fun blowing bubbles right away! To store the solution once you're done, pour it into a container that you can seal. Then, put it in a cool dry place—a refrigerator is great—and use the solution within 2 weeks.
- Put warm water, dish soap, glycerin, and sugar into a bowl. Pour 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water into a bowl or container with a pour spout and add 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of liquid dish soap, 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of glycerin, and 1 teaspoon (5 g) of granulated sugar.[4]
- If you can't find glycerin, use corn syrup instead. Corn syrup acts like glycerin to slow down evaporation, so your bubbles are stronger and last longer.[5]
- Stir the ingredients together, but be careful not to create foam. If you end up with foam, it will be hard to blow bubbles with the solution. Instead, use a long-handled spoon to stir the mixture really gently until the sugar dissolves.[6]
- Wait at least 1 hour before you use the solution. This resting period strengthens the bonds within the bubble solution, so you end up with sturdier bubbles that last longer before they pop.[7]
- Stir the bubble solution right before you use it. Give the solution a gentle stir before you dip a bubble wand in it and blow a bubble. If you want to store the solution, pour it into an airtight solution and put it in a cool, dark place—the fridge is a good spot. Then, plan on using it within 6 months.[8]
- Throw out the bubble solution if it looks cloudy or begins to smell bad.
- Stir in 5-10 drops of food coloring if you want different colored bubbles. Pour 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) of bubble solution into a container and slowly stir in 5 to 10 drops of food coloring. Repeat this using different solutions for a rainbow of bubble solutions![9]
- Keep in mind that the food coloring will mix with the original color of the dish soap. For example, if you add red food coloring to blue dish soap, you'll get purple!
- Use clear dish soap if you want to make yellow, orange, or red bubbles.
- Add 15 to 20 drops of essential oils if you want to make scented bubbles. You'll probably notice a light scent if you use liquid dish soap that has fragrance. To make a stronger scented bubble solution, stir in 15 to 20 drops of your favorite essential oils—you can use a single scent or combine fragrances for a custom bubble solution.[10]
- For instance, if you're using lemon dish soap, add lavender essential oil to make a lemon-lavender-scented bubble solution.
- Avoid adding more than 15-20 drops since essential oils are very concentrated!
- Add a splash of glow-in-the-dark paint for luminous bubbles. If you're having a black light party, make bubbles that glow in the dark! Stir a squirt of glow-in-the-dark paint into any kind of bubble solution. Then, turn off the lights, turn on a black light, and blow bubbles that look like they're magically glowing![11]
Community Q&A
- QuestionDo bubbles last longer in cold or hot water?How.com.vn Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerHow.com.vn Staff EditorStaff AnswerIn general, bubbles last longer in cooler temperatures, because the water in the skin of the bubble evaporates more slowly when it’s cold. However, it’s harder to form bubbles in really cold water, since the bubble solution doesn’t dissolve into the water as easily when it’s cold. - QuestionWhy does sugar make better bubbles?How.com.vn Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerHow.com.vn Staff EditorStaff AnswerMixing sugar into the bubble mix helps slow down the evaporation process. When the water that forms the skin of a bubble evaporates, it pops. This means that adding materials like sugar and glycerin, which slow evaporation, can make bubbles less fragile and longer-lasting. - QuestionHow do you make unpoppable bubbles?How.com.vn Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerHow.com.vn Staff EditorStaff AnswerAdding corn syrup won’t make your bubbles completely unpoppable, but it will make them a lot stronger. You can also handle bubbles without popping them by coating your hands (or another object, like a stick, pencil, or bubble wand) with the bubble mixture or some liquid soap.
Tips
- Distilled water works better than tap water and creates a longer-lasting bubble solution. Tap water contains minerals, which can prevent the bubbles from forming properly.Thanks
- If you don't have dish soap, try hand soap, body wash, or even shampoo. Anything without alcohol added to it is a good bet.Thanks
- For a fun experiment, blow bubbles outside when the temperatures hit below freezing. See how the cold temperatures affect the bubbles.Thanks
Tips from our Readers ![](https://www.wikihow.com/extensions/wikihow/tipsandwarnings/images/question.svg)
- If you don't have a large bubble wand, tie a thick string to 2 sticks in a triangle shape. Soak your homemade wand in the bubble solution, open it up, and run to make huge bubbles!
- If you don't have sugar, use salt instead. It's a great replacement that works just as well.
- Blowing air slowly into the bubble wand can create larger bubbles.
Things You'll Need
Basic Bubble Solution without Glycerin
- Large container or jar
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Long-handled spoon
Super Bubble Solution with Glycerin
- Container or jar
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Long-handled spoon
References
- ↑ https://www.babysavers.com/how-to-make-bubbles/
- ↑ https://www.pta.org/docs/default-source/files/programs/stem/2019/bayer/bubble-fun.pdf
- ↑ https://www.babysavers.com/how-to-make-bubbles/
- ↑ https://www.babysavers.com/how-to-make-bubbles/
- ↑ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-best-bubbles/
- ↑ https://www.babysavers.com/how-to-make-bubbles/
- ↑ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/blow-the-biggest-bubbles/
- ↑ https://athomeontheprairie.com/recipe-for-bubbles-with-glycerin/
- ↑ http://www.mamaplusone.com/diy-color-bubbles/
About This Article
To make a basic bubble solution, combine 4 cups of warm water and ½ cup of granulated sugar in a large bowl or pitcher. Next, add ½ cup of liquid dish soap and stir until the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Then, let the solution rest for at least a few hours before using. Afterwards, store the solution in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks so it lasts longer. To learn more, including how to make colored bubble solution, scroll down.
Reader Success Stories
- "I was very worried because my son was demanding a bubble maker again and again, and some time it was not available in the shop. Then I got the idea to make bubbles at home. I got your idea to make bubble from this site. This was very helpful to me. Thank u very much"..." more
Did this article help you?
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.
- - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
- - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
- - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
- - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.