How To Make Slime With Laundry Detergent

Learn how to make slime with laundry detergent and this could save you a lot of time and efforts that you would normally put in making slime!

Slime recipes have evolved from complicated methods and products to essential ingredients easily found at home. This has enhanced their popularity as everyone can easily make them at home. From using ingredients such as shampoo, glue, cornstarch, dish soap, etc., these recipes are easy to follow and can make up for a good experience. Likewise, slime recipes are not restricted to pantry or beauty products. You can make slime using laundry detergent too! This will not only give it a smooth texture but a likable fragrance as well. Learn how to make slime with laundry detergent at home by following the below recipe.

How To Make Slime With Laundry Detergent

Recipe #1 – Three Ingredient Slime

Ingredients

• Water
• Laundry Detergent (liquid)
• School Glue

Method

Mix equal quantities of water and school glue in a glass bowl. Elmer’s glue is the most preferred glue for slime. Now add the laundry detergent to the mixture. Laundry detergent should be 1/4th of the water and glue. You can also add food coloring, glitter, or any other add-ins before this step and mix well. As you mix the mixture, it will gradually turn slimy. When it does, take it out on a clean platform and start kneading with your hands. The more you knead the slime, the slimier it will turn.

Recipe #2 – Playdough slime

Ingredients

• Glue
• Laundry detergent
• Shaving cream

Method

Take ¼ cup of glue in a bowl and add a few drops of your favorite food color to it. Now add two teaspoons of laundry detergent to the bowl. Start stirring the mix with a spatula and you will notice that the glue will start leaving the sides of the bowl. If the slime doesn’t turn doughy at this point, add another teaspoon of laundry detergent. Add shaving cream foam to this mixture. Shaving foam will help in giving a fluffy texture to the slime. Take out the slime on a platform and knead it with your knuckles and palms thoroughly to activate all the ingredients. Keep kneading for a few minutes, and the slime will be ready. 

Why Does Laundry Detergent Work for Slime?

Any slime recipe requires an activator that gives it the slimy texture we look for. There are many popular slime activators, such as cornstarch, borax powder, etc., and laundry detergent is one of them. It is essential to choose the right one since laundry detergent tends to stick to the surface. Also, a strongly scented laundry detergent can overpower the fun of playing with slimes. 

Note

• Based on anecdotal evidence, users have indicated that Tide liquid detergent works the best for slime recipes. 
• Choose a non-toxic kind of laundry detergent if you plan to give the slime to younger kids who tend to taste everything.

How to Take Care of Slime?

The most vital aspect while taking care of slime is to store it in an air-tight container. It protects it from moisture, preventing any mold creation. Another critical thing to remember is to knead it every few days if you plan to store it for long periods without playtime. This ensures it does not lose its texture sitting in the container. 

What To Do If Slime Dries Out?

A few add-ons can be used to smoothen up the slime if it starts cracking or dries out. Generally, vigorous kneading for a few minutes can help fix drying slime. If it still feels dry, try using these extra ingredients. 

1. Shampoo

Adding just a few drops of shampoo can improve the texture of the slime but make sure you use moisturizing shampoo. It adds a bit of freshness to the slime. After adding any ingredient, always remember to knead the slime well so that the ingredients spread evenly.

2. Lotion

If it can moisturize your hands, it can help to soften the slime as well. You can fix a dried slime by adding a few drops of moisturizing lotion to it and kneading it throughout.

3. Water

Sometimes adding 2-3 drops of water can fix the slime. Try kneading first with just 2-3 drops of water. If it still feels dry, try other methods as excess water can make the slime runny.

4. Glue

Some more glue can fix the slime but remember not to add a lot of it. If you feel the glue is too much, add a little bit of activator depending on the recipe you used.