How to Make Water Slime

PDF download Download Article
Easy recipes to make crystal-clear water slime
PDF download Download Article

In just a few simple steps, you can make "water" slime that looks crystal clear, just like water. There are several recipes you can try to make this kind of slime using simple non-toxic ingredients, like water and shampoo. Below, we’ve included four water slime recipes for you to try out, including some that don’t require any glue or Borax. Feel free to experiment with them all to see which slime you like best!

Making Water Slime

  1. Mix 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) clear school glue and 1 ⁄ 4 cup (59 mL) water in a bowl.
  2. Stir in 1½ tbsp (22.5 mL) saline solution and set the mixture aside.
  3. In a new bowl, mix 1/2 tsp (6 g) baking soda and 1 cup (240 mL) warm water.
  4. Combine the two mixtures and stir together gently.
  5. Take the glob of slime out of the leftover water.
  6. Knead it together in your hands until you get the right consistency.

Ingredients

Clear Slime with Saline Solution

  • 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of clear PVA school glue
  • 1 ⁄ 4 cup (59 mL) of water
  • 1½ tablespoons (22.5 mL) of saline solution
  • ½ teaspoon (6 g) of baking soda
  • 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water

Clear Slime with Borax

  • 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of Elmer's PVA clear glue
  • 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of water (to mix with glue)
  • 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of warm water (to mix with the borax powder)
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1.4 g) of Borax powder
  • 1-3 drops of blue food coloring (optional)

Jiggly Slime with Shampoo and Water

  • 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of clear, thick shampoo
  • 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of water
  • 1-2 drops of food coloring (optional)

Oobleck with Water and Cornstarch

  • 1 cup (128 g) of dry cornstarch
  • 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of warm water
  • 1-2 drops of blue food coloring (optional)
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Clear Slime with Saline Solution

PDF download Download Article
  1. Measure out 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of clear school glue and pour it into a bowl. Add 1 ⁄ 4 cup (59 mL) of water, then stir it in with a spoon. Keep stirring until the water is completely mixed in and the texture is consistent. [1]
    • Don’t use regular white school glue—the clear glue is the key to making water slime!

    Tip: Add 1 to 2 drops of blue food coloring if you want "ocean water" slime!

  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Water Slime
    Make sure that the saline solution contains both boric acid and sodium borate; otherwise, the glue won't turn into slime. Once you stir in the saline solution with a spoon, set the mixture aside. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Water Slime
    Pour 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water into a new bowl or glass, then add 1/2 teaspoon (6 g) of baking soda. Stir together with a spoon until the baking soda dissolves, then set the mixture aside so that the water can cool down. [3]
    • Be sure to use baking soda and not baking powder! They're not the same thing.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Water Slime
    Pour the glue-saline solution into the baking-soda water solution; it will automatically come together into a glob. Give the mixture a few stirs with a spoon. [4]
    • The baking soda water activates the slime.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Water Slime
    There will be a lot of water leftover in the bowl, which is fine and normal! Just take the glob out of the water and knead it between your fingers for a few minutes until it thickens up and starts to feel like slime. [5]
    • Discard the leftover baking soda water when you are done.
  6. Store the slime in an airtight container when you're not playing with it. After about a week, the consistency of the slime may start to change, but it could last longer than that. Make sure that your hands are clean when you play with the slime, or it'll get dirty!
    7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Clear Slime with Borax

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Water Slime
    Use a measuring cup to measure out 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of clear school glue and pour it into a medium-sized bowl. Then, measure out 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of water and pour it over the glue in the bowl. Stir the 2 ingredients with a spoon until they're fully mixed together. [6]
    • Most bottles of school glue contain 4 ounces (120 mL), which equals 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL). If your glue says 4 ounces on the packaging, you can just empty out the whole bottle into the bowl!
    • If you want more slime, you can double the recipe and use 1 cup (240 mL) of clear glue and 1 cup (240 mL) of water.
    • Do not use white school glue! Using clear PVA glue is the key to making this slime clear.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Water Slime
    Real water is clear, but you can tint your slime to look blue if you want a dramatic look. Your slime will still be see-through if you add food coloring, but it won't be crystal clear. If you want this, stir in 1-3 drops of blue food coloring with a spoon.
    • If you don't have blue food coloring on hand, then try 1-3 drops of liquid watercolor paint instead. Don't use acrylic paint, because you'll end up with slime that isn't see-through.

    Tip: Experiment with combinations to create custom colors for your slime! For example, you could add 1 drop of green food coloring and 2 drops of blue food coloring to create a pretty teal color.

  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Water Slime
    Mix 1/4 tsp (1.4 g) of Borax with 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of warm water. Get out a separate bowl to make the Borax solution. Then, measure out 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of warm water from your tap and pour it in the clean bowl. Use a spoon to stir in 1/4 teaspoon (1.4 g) of Borax powder . Mix them together until the Borax completely dissolves. [7]
    • Be sure to use warm water! If you use room temperature water, the Borax won't dissolve.
    • If you're doubling the recipe, use 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water and 1/2 teaspoon (2.8 g) of Borax powder.
    • Keep in mind that Borax can cause skin, eye, and lung irritation. Handle the powder carefully, and keep it out of reach of small children.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Water Slime
    Mix the 2 solutions together with a spoon until the mixture begins to thicken. Keep stirring the mixture until it starts to leave the sides of the bowl. [8]
    • Don't worry if there's still Borax water left in the bowl. As long as the glue clumps together, you're good to go.
    • Don't whisk or whip the slime with the spoon as you stir it, or you'll get air bubbles, which can ruin the crystal clear look you're going for.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Water Slime
    Squeeze and knead the slime until it comes together. The more you knead, the firmer and less sticky it will become. Try to do this for about 3 minutes. [9]
    • If there are any bubbles in the slime, let it sit in a plastic container for a few hours; they should disappear over time.
  6. This type of slime is pretty oozy! A plastic container with a tight-fitting lid is the best storage option to keep it from drying out, but a plastic freezer bag will also work. Store the slime at room temperature.
    • Make sure that your hands are clean before you play with the slime to keep it looking clear.
    • If you store it properly in an airtight container, this type of slime should last at least 1 week, if not longer.
    7. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Jiggly Slime with Shampoo and Water (No Glue or Borax)

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Water Slime
    The color of the shampoo is up to you, but clear will look the most water-like. Choose a shampoo with a thick, gel-like consistency. Avoid shampoo that has a thin, watery consistency. [10]
  2. You may want to skip this if your shampoo is already colored, or you can experiment with mixing colors. For example, you could add blue food coloring to yellow shampoo to make green slime. A little bit goes a long way, so 1-2 drops is all you need. [11]
    • If you don't have food coloring, use 2-3 drops of liquid watercolor paint.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Water Slime
    The water will make the consistency thin at first, but the longer you stir it, the thicker it will get. Keep stirring the ingredients until the shampoo regains its original thick consistency. [12]
    • You can use less water if you want thicker slime, or more water if you want thinner slime.
    • Don't stir too hard or too fast to prevent bubbles from forming.
  4. Do not touch or play with the slime during this time. As the mixture chills in the fridge, it will harden into slime! [13] You can try speeding the process up by putting the slime into the freezer for 3-4 hours, but the results may not be as good.
  5. Because this slime contains very simple ingredients, it probably won't last for more than 2-3 days. If it starts to lose it's texture, you could try revitalizing it by stirring it back up again, then putting it back into the fridge for 2 days.
    • If the slime starts to get too runny while you're playing with it, try putting it back into the fridge or freezer for a few hours, and see if that helps.
    6. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Oobleck with Water and Cornstarch (No Glue or Borax)

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Water Slime
    Use a measuring cup to measure out the cornstarch, then dump it into a mixing bowl. [14]
    • Use a spoon to break up any clumps of cornstarch in the bowl.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Water Slime
    Add the water little by little to create the consistency you want. Start with a quick splash, say about 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of warm water, and stir the cornstarch and water together thoroughly with a spoon. Keep doing this until you’ve added all the water. [15]
    • As you stir, you will notice the mixture thickening.
    • Warm water will prevent the cornstarch from clumping. [16]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Water Slime
    If you want to make colored slime, go ahead and add the food coloring of your choice to the mixture. You only need 1-2 drops, but you can experiment with adding more or less to get the exact shade that you want. [17]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Water Slime
    The exact consistency is up to you, just make sure your slime is thick enough to hold together! [18]
    • If the slime feels too thin, add a little bit of cornstarch and keep stirring.
    • If the slime feels too thick, add a little more water.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Water Slime
    The gooey texture of this slime makes it super fun to play with. After you're done playing with it, store the slime in a plastic baggie with a zippered top to keep it moist. [19]
    • You can toss out the slime once it starts to look dirty.
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can I make this slime without saline solution?
    Riana
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can use the borax method. Simply put some borax in hot water, wait for it to dissolve, and you're ready to use it to activate!
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 130 Helpful 121
  • Question
    What if I can’t get my slime with shampoo to activate?
    Riana
    Community Answer
    The shampoo you might be using might be to watery. Try using a shampoo with thicker consistency. The thicker, the better!
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 76 Helpful 179
  • Question
    Do I need to activate the shampoo water slime?
    Riana
    Community Answer
    Yes, you need to activate the slime with salt as your activator.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 76 Helpful 185
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Read Video Transcript

      Reader Videos

      Tips

      • If you want something that looks a little more like ocean water, use teal food coloring. Alternatively, mix blue and green food coloring together.
        Thanks
        Helpful 8 Not Helpful 2
      • If the glue starts to form bubbles, you might be stirring it too fast and getting too much air into it. Slow down!
        Thanks
        Helpful 7 Not Helpful 4
      • For ocean slime, consider mixing in fish-shaped glitter, sequins, or beads.
        Thanks
        Helpful 3 Not Helpful 7

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • You can use dish soap or detergent instead of shampoo. If it’s a powder, dissolve it in water, first.
      • Add the activator slowly over time to keep your slime soft and stretchy longer.
      • You can also use baking soda as a replacement for Borax.
      • Use shampoo with boric acid to activate the slime.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Borax can cause skin, eye, and lung irritation. Be sure to handle the concentrated powder with care. Keep it out of the reach of small children and pets.
        Thanks
        Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      Easy Slime with Cornstarch and Water

      • Bowl
      • Glass
      • Spoon
      • Plastic zipper baggie

      Clear Slime with Saline Solution

      • Bowl
      • Cup
      • Spoon

      Jiggly Slime with Shampoo and Water

      • Bowl
      • Airtight container
      • Spoon

      Clear Slime with Borax

      • 2 bowls
      • 2 spoons
      • Airtight storage container

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Activate Slime Without Activator
      How to
      Make Slime Without Glue: 5 Simple DIY Recipes
      5 Easy Ways to Make Slime at Home
      How to
      Make Oobleck
      How to
      Soften Slime
      4 Best Ways to Make Slime Less Sticky (With or without an Activator)
      How to
      Make Slime Stretchy Again
      How to
      Make Slime with Shampoo
      5 Easy Fluffy Slime Recipes
      How to
      Make Glue Stick Slime
      How to
      Preserve Play Dough
      How to
      Make Slime with Borax
      How to
      Make Thick, Glossy Clear Slime Using Glue
      How to
      Fix Watery Slime
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb84tJl7eqo&t=55s
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb84tJl7eqo&t=1m10s
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb84tJl7eqo&t=1m33s
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb84tJl7eqo&t=2m15s
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb84tJl7eqo&t=2m50s
      6. ↑ https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/elmers-clear-glue-slime-recipe-kids/
      7. ↑ https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/elmers-clear-glue-slime-recipe-kids/
      8. ↑ https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/elmers-clear-glue-slime-recipe-kids/
      9. ↑ https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/elmers-clear-glue-slime-recipe-kids/
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-HUEr9i620&t=4m30s
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-HUEr9i620&t=4m32s
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-HUEr9i620&t=4m45s
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-HUEr9i620&t=5m5s
      5. ↑ https://www.exploratorium.edu/science_explorer/ooze.html
      6. ↑ https://www.exploratorium.edu/science_explorer/ooze.html
      7. ↑ https://sciencing.com/make-slime-borax-liquid-starch-4898523.html
      8. ↑ https://sciencing.com/make-slime-borax-liquid-starch-4898523.html
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY-7vujKtfQ&feature=youtu.be&t=134
      10. ↑ https://sciencing.com/make-slime-borax-liquid-starch-4898523.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make a simple version of water slime, start by putting 1 cup of cornstarch in a bowl. Then, stir 1 cup of warm water into the cornstarch 1 spoonful at a time, which will keep the cornstarch from clumping. Once you’ve mixed in all the water, add 1 to 2 drops of food coloring if you want colored slime. Finish by stirring everything together until it has the consistency you like. You can play with your slime right away, but make sure to store it in a sealable plastic baggie after you’re done so it stays soft and moist. To learn more, like how to make water slime with shampoo or saline solution, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 407,639 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Ali Doe

        Apr 1, 2020

        "My children really enjoyed making the easy slime with cornstarch and water. It also kept them busy for a while so ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement