How to Make Slime With Shampoo (& Without Glue)

There’s no denying it: slime is fun to play with, no matter how old you are! And you don’t have to miss out just because you don’t have ingredients like glue and borax on hand. We’re here to show you how to make slime out of shampoo and a few extra ingredients—and we even have one recipe that only uses shampoo !

How do you make slime with just shampoo?

Pour a little thick gel shampoo into a small bowl.
Stir the shampoo for 2–4 minutes until it’s full of tiny bubbles.
Cover the container and put it in the fridge for 2–3 hours.
While the slime sits in the fridge, stir it for about 30 seconds every 30 minutes.
Once the slime has set, stir and knead it until you get a stretchy, jiggly slime.

Section 1 of 8:

One-Ingredient Shampoo Slime

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1
Pour some shampoo into a small container and stir. Use a small spoon or stirring stick and stir the shampoo vigorously for about 2–4 minutes. Keep stirring until the shampoo is filled with tiny air bubbles and feels thick. ^{[1]
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- You don’t need a particular type of shampoo for this, but you’ll probably get a thicker slime if you use a thicker shampoo.
2
Place the slime in the fridge for 2–3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. Cover the container and place it in your fridge. After 30 minutes, stir the slime vigorously for about 30 seconds, then cover it again and put it back in the fridge. Keep stirring every 30 minutes until the mixture has a slime-like texture. ^{[2]
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- Once the slime has set, take the container out of the fridge. Keep stirring and kneading it until it starts to get stretchy and holds its shape.
- This slime is a little runny and sticky, but it’s fun to play with, and you only need one ingredient!

Section 2 of 8:

Making Slime with Shampoo and Cornstarch

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1
Pour 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) of shampoo into a bowl. Thicker shampoos will give you better results. Choose a color and a fragrance that you like. ^{[3]
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- If you want to change the color of your slime, add a few drops of liquid food coloring into the bowl. If you want glittery slime, add some glitter. Stir everything together with a spoon. ^{[4]
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2
Add 2 1/4 cups (280 grams) of cornstarch. Stir the mixture with your spoon until the ingredients are completely combined. ^{[5]
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Research source} If you want a thicker slime, you can stop here. If you want a runnier, gooier slime, keep going to the next step.
- If you don't have cornstarch where you live, look for corn flour instead.
3
Add 1 US tbsp (15 ml) of water at a time. You may need to add up to 6 US tbsp (89 ml) of water, but don’t add it all at once. The more water you add, the runnier your slime will be. ^{[6]
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- If you like a more dough-like slime, you may not need much or any water.
4
Knead the slime by hand. Once you’re happy with the consistency, your slime is ready to play with! Scoop it out of its bowl, then squish it, knead it, and let it run through your fingers.
- Store the slime in an airtight container once you are done playing with it.
- You may need to add 1/4 teaspoon of water to refresh the slime the next day. ^{[7]
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Section 3 of 8:

Making Slime with Shampoo and Salt

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1
Squeeze some thick shampoo into a bowl. You can use any type of shampoo you want, but thicker shampoos work better. Choose a color and fragrance that you like. ^{[8]
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- To make a thicker slime, mix equal parts shampoo and body wash. ^{[9]
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  Research source} Make sure that your body wash and shampoo are similar colors, or your slime will look muddy.
There is no set amount for the salt—each brand of shampoo reacts differently with it. Add in a pinch of salt, then stir the slime. Keep adding salt and stirring until the shampoo turns into a glob. ^{[10]
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Once the slime starts to come together, place the bowl into the freezer. Leave it there for 15 minutes. ^{[11]
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Once the freezing time is up, the slime will have set and is ready to play with! When you are done playing with it, put it into an airtight container. You may need to re-freeze it for about 15 minutes if it starts to get too runny.

Section 4 of 8:

Making Slime with Shampoo and Toothpaste

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1
Squeeze some 2-in-1 shampoo into a mixing bowl. The 2-in-1 combo shampoos work the best for this slime. Choose a fragrance that goes well with mint, like strawberry.
- You can try plain shampoo as well, but make sure that you use one that’s thick.
You can use either white toothpaste or gel toothpaste. Add about the same amount of toothpaste as shampoo.
3
Stir the mixture and adjust the ingredients as needed. Keep stirring until the color is consistent and no streaks remain. As you stir, the shampoo and toothpaste will come together and form a putty-like slime.
- If the slime is too thick, add in some more shampoo. If it is too thin, try some more toothpaste. Stir well each time you adjust the ingredients.
This slime is not quite as gooey as the store-bought kind, but it is fun to poke and prod. When you are done playing with it, scoop it into an airtight container.

Section 5 of 8:

Making Slime with Shampoo and Baking Soda

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1
Mix 1/2 tsp (3 g) of baking soda and ¹ ⁄ ₄ cup (59 ml) of gel shampoo. Measure about ¹ ⁄ ₄ cup (59 ml) of clear gel shampoo into a small bowl. Then, stir in about 1/2 tsp (3 g) of baking soda. Mix everything together with a small spoon or stir stick until it’s completely combined and the soap thickens and starts to turn opaque. ^{[12]
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- You may need to stir for several minutes.
- If you’d like, you can add a drop of food coloring to get a more colorful slime.
2
Refrigerate the mixture for 24 hours. Cover the container and put the slime in the fridge for about a day to set up. If you’re in a hurry, try putting it in the freezer for about an hour instead.
- If you don’t want to use a fridge or freezer, let the mixture sit covered at room temperature for 2 days. ^{[13]
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- This slime is gooey, jiggly, and stretchy. But it’s also a little sticky, so it might be messier than some other slimes.

Section 6 of 8:

Making Slime with Shampoo and Shaving Cream

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1
Pour some shampoo into a small bowl. You can use gel or opaque shampoo as long as whatever you choose is thick. It’s also a good idea to choose a product that smells good to you. ^{[14]
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- If you want your slime to be more colorful, add food coloring to the shampoo.
2
Mix a pinch of salt into the shampoo, then a squirt of shaving cream. Add a pinch of salt and stir it in really well. Keep adding salt and stirring it in until the shampoo takes on a thick, gloopy consistency. ^{[15]
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Research source} Then, add a small squirt of foam shaving cream to the shampoo mixture and stir it in. ^{[16]
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- Before you add the shaving cream, the mixture will look like slime, but it will be very sticky. Once you add the shaving cream, it will be fluffier but not as stretchy.
3
Freeze the slime for 10 minutes, adjust the ingredients, and enjoy. Cover the container and put it in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Test the consistency when it comes out—if it’s too sticky, add more salt, and if it’s too wet, add more shampoo. ^{[17]
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- When the slime is the right consistency, it should be squishy, stretchy, and jiggly.

Section 7 of 8:

Troubleshooting Your Slime

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Adjust the ingredients ratio if your slime is too thick or runny. If you’re making a slime with more than one ingredient, sometimes you’ll need to adjust the proportions. For instance, you might need a little more salt if you’re using a thin shampoo in a shampoo-and-salt slime. But make the changes gradually—add a little more of one ingredient, then stir very well before you make any more adjustments.
- If your shampoo slime doesn’t turn out well, try again with a thicker shampoo.
- Be sure to regularly stir mixtures that you put in the fridge or freezer so they’ll keep their slime-like texture.

Section 8 of 8:

Handling & Storing Slime

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Rinse your hands well after handling slime. Don’t give this slime to babies or toddlers who put their hands in their mouth, and supervise small children—this soapy slime shouldn’t be tasted. And be sure to rinse your hands well after playing with it.
- Although it’s rare, some shampoos may cause fragrances or preservatives that could cause an allergic reaction. If shampoo slime causes your skin to be red or itchy, stop using it and gently rinse away any residue. ^{[18]
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2
Play with slime on a washable surface and use rags to clean up residue. This slime tends to be stickier than other slimes, so it’s a good idea to play with it on a tablecloth, place mat, or plate. When you’re finished, use a damp cloth to clean up any residue, and wash your hands thoroughly.
- If you’d like, you can toss the slime into a warm bath after you’re finished—it will melt and leave the water soapy.
3
Store your slime in an airtight container. Most shampoo slimes will keep for a few days if you place them in a covered container. If your slime does dry out a little, add a few drops of water and stir or knead until it’s stretchy again.
- When the slime gets too sticky to play with, it’s time to toss it and make new slime.

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Question

What type of toothpaste should I use?

Community Answer

Most types of toothpaste will work. Just remember that the color of the toothpaste will add to or change the color of your slime.

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Will any shampoo work?

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Yes, but thicker shampoo works better.

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What can I do if my slime is runny?

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Add more shampoo. Make sure it is quite thick. It should work, or just get thick toothpaste and add it into the slime.

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Slime can be messy, so you may want to put a tablecloth or mat on your table. Be careful not to get it on the carpet or your clothes.

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Store the slime in an airtight container when you are done playing with it.

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Don't give shampoo-based slime to babies—it’s not taste-safe.

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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.

If you don't have cornstarch or corn flour, look for "fish fry." Check the ingredients—the "plain" version is usually just a box of "corn flour!" Avoid the "seasoned" blends as they will have pepper, garlic, and other spices that might not be good for slime!
To get slime out of your clothes, get an ice cube and rub it on the area, then slowly peel it off.
You can add glitter or mini beads to your slime to give it a nice texture and look.
If your slime is quite runny, add in shower gel. It will become less sticky.
If you add a little more corn starch to the slime it stays fresh longer.
If your slime is getting a little bit hard, add hand sanitizer.

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How to Make Slime With Shampoo (& Without Glue)

How do you make slime with just shampoo?

Steps

One-Ingredient Shampoo Slime

Making Slime with Shampoo and Cornstarch

Making Slime with Shampoo and Salt

Making Slime with Shampoo and Toothpaste

Making Slime with Shampoo and Baking Soda

Making Slime with Shampoo and Shaving Cream

Troubleshooting Your Slime

Handling & Storing Slime

Community Q&A

Video

Reader Videos

Tips

Tips from our Readers

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