What kinds of thickeners are there for slime, what can it be replaced with, and how can you make the product yourself?

Review of other methods

An interesting toy option is magnetic slime. It’s easy to do: you need to take a ready-made slime made according to any recipe, add magnetic shavings, and mix well again. There are also fragrant slimes: it is recommended to mix 100 g of PVA and 50 ml of any perfume, the result will be a unique toy. Children love delicious slime: by melting marshmallows and combining them with chocolate spread, you can get a great treat!

Any slime that is not edible must be handled correctly. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You should not leave slimes on the windowsill - they will quickly deteriorate when exposed to sunlight. A dirty toy should always be washed with cold water. If you follow these tips, your child will be able to have fun with slime for up to 7-14 days.

Slime (handgam, slime) is a shapeless jelly-like toy, the density of which depends on the speed of exposure. Has high adhesion strength to rough surfaces. If the sticky mass gets on your hair, it cannot be removed without special products. In this regard, parents have a question about how to remove the slime from the head and save the child’s hairstyle. There are at least 10 simple working ways to solve this problem.

Content

Why doesn't the slime thicken, and how can I make it thicken?

The following explains what to do if the slime does not thicken for a long time, and explains why this happens:

1. Add more thickener if there is not enough thickener in the composition.
2. Buy new glue as this one is probably past its expiration date. Therefore, if the activator did not help, perhaps the reason is in the glue.
3. Add more glue and thickener if the mixture is too runny.
4. Place the mixture in the refrigerator for half an hour. It should be placed away from food.
5. Stir the mixture a few more times.

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It is impossible to make any slime without a thickener, so it is added to the toy in one form or another. Any available means are suitable as an activator, including starch, sugar and gelatin.

The thickener is gradually combined with the main components (until thickening), as a result of which the slime takes on shape, volume and elasticity. But, the main thing in this matter is not to overdo it with the activator, because the slime will lose its ductility and quickly become unusable.

How can you thicken slime at home?

To make the slime more viscous and thick, you can also use improvised materials that are available in every home as thickeners, this list includes such as:

• sugar;
• gelatin;
• starch;
• soda, etc.

Boric acid

Boric acid has a powerful thickening effect, and at the same time it is used sparingly (one packet of powder is enough for several slimes). The product is affordable and is also sold in any hardware store or pharmacy. When making slime, boric acid is mixed with PVA glue (the proportions should be clarified in the recipe), and also diluted with water, which gives the toy additional volume.

But this activator has several disadvantages:

• Causes nausea, shortness of breath and peeling of the skin (especially in children).
• Not compatible with every glue.
• In some cases, it requires additional thickeners (laundry soap, baking soda, etc.).

Proportions for activator:

• PVC (100 g);
• office glue (200 g);
• boric acid (1 tbsp);
• food coloring and shaving foam.

Gelatin

Gelatin quickly turns a shapeless mass into a dense and elastic toy. The product does not cause allergies and is safe for children. Most often it is mixed with plasticine and water.

Approximate proportions:

• 15 g edible gelatin;
• 200 ml water;
• a block of plasticine weighing 100 g.

Important. Before use, gelatin must first be soaked in warm water and allowed to brew for 40 minutes.

This activator is suitable for slimes made from plasticine. The slime made from these ingredients is less stretchy and has a jelly-like consistency, but it does not require any components other than plasticine and gelatin. Before preparing the toy, gelatin must be soaked in water for 40 minutes.

Borax

Borax is the sodium salt of boric acid and can also be used to thicken slime. Borax powder is sold in pharmacies or online stores. Its properties do not differ from sodium tetraborate, however, it is available in powder form.

You need to wear gloves when handling the powder, as it can burn your skin. Children should knead slime using Borax under the supervision of parents or other adults.

Borax is usually used in combination with water, baking soda and PVA glue. To add brightness and color, food coloring is added to the toy. Water and borax are mixed in a ratio of 12:1, soda is added in the amount of 1 tsp, and PVA glue is added “by eye” until the mass thickens. The dye is added last.

Attention! The main advantage of a slime made with Borax is that the color of the toy can be easily changed. To do this, just rinse it with water and rub in another dye.

Sugar

It is recommended to use powdered sugar as an activator for the slime, and not “sand” (so that there are no lumps and the toy is perfectly smooth). Shampoo and liquid soap are used as a basis. Powdered sugar is added in small quantities - no more than 1 tsp. or even less. After mixing the ingredients, the mass is put into the freezer for half an hour. But most often this thickener is added to edible slimes.

Starch

Potato or corn starch is used as a thickener; there is no difference. Here are its main advantages:

• Affordable price.
• Good thickening effect.
• No allergic reactions.
• Possibility of preparing edible slimes. In this case, instead of shampoo, condensed milk is added to the composition.

To make starch work faster and better, it is diluted with water in a 3:1 ratio. Instead of dry starch, you can use flour diluted with water. The mixture will be thick and doughy, but not elastic.

Liquid starch contains sodium tetraborate, which makes it suitable for activating slime. You can buy the product at any hardware store: it is usually found in the laundry detergent section. You can also order starch online; It is advisable to purchase starch from a company called Lint or Sta-flo.

We recommend: How to make sodium tetraborate for slime with your own hands, simple recipes

Soda

Along with salt and sodium tetraborate, baking soda interacts well with almost any component. It is used in the form of a powder or solution. The last option is quite simple to prepare: 3 parts of soda powder are mixed with 1 part of water. As a result, the slime acquires the necessary density and ductility.

Slimes activated with soda are called "handgum" or "hand gum" and have a slightly different consistency from regular slimes.

Sodium tetraborate

Sodium tetraborate interacts well with glue and is suitable for making any type of slime. Other advantages of this product:

• It is odorless and non-toxic.
• This slime activator is sold at any pharmacy where you can buy it without a prescription.
• It has a low cost.
• It is economically used (can be diluted with water).

Preparation:

1. Dissolve PVA glue (100 ml) in 50 ml of warm water.
2. Add sodium tetraborate (until thickened).

Attention! With frequent use, sodium tetraborate can cause health problems (nausea, dry skin, problems with the reproductive system, etc.). In this case, you can replace it and use a safer product than this activator.

Air freshener or hairspray

Hairspray is easily accessible - it is found in almost every home and is sold in all cosmetic stores (including supermarkets). But that's where its advantages end. Here are the disadvantages of hairspray when making slime:

• Doesn't always affect glue.
• It has a specific odor, which with prolonged interaction can cause mild nausea, shortness of breath and an allergic cough.
• In most cases, the toys are not of very high quality (sometimes the service life of the product is reduced).
• Used up very quickly.

Preparation of thickener:

1. PVA glue and dye are mixed in a deep container.
2. Gradually inject the varnish (each “spray” lasts at least 5 seconds).
3. Mix the composition and add little by little to the still shapeless mass.

Without sodium tetraborate, you can thicken the slime using hairspray or air freshener. Both components must be in spray form; The varnish should have a high fixation force, and the air freshener should be from Air Wick. To prepare the slime, you need to use either varnish or a freshener: it is not recommended to use them at the same time.

As a result, you will get a slime that resembles plasticine in consistency. When kneading for the first time, the slime will not tear or stretch, but if you let it “rest” for a few minutes, the slime will become more elastic.

Dishwashing detergent or clothes washing gel

If you don't want to use caustic sodium tetraborate, use dishwashing liquid (a product called Fairy works best) or laundry gel. Only one of the components is allowed to be used in one recipe. A teaspoon of the product should be added to the slime during the preparation process, and then the slime should be allowed to “rest” for 20 minutes. Afterwards you will get a beautiful and pleasant to the touch slime, with a consistency reminiscent of chewing gum.

Reference! This component is not recommended for use by people with sensitive skin.

Hydrogen peroxide

You won't be able to thicken the slime with peroxide alone: ​​you must also use baking soda or starch. When adding soda, the toy turns out to be more liquid, and when using starch, it becomes elastic, reminiscent of a bouncy ball. When making slime, add peroxide a few drops at a time until you reach the desired consistency. A large amount of peroxide will make the slime thin and watery.

Is it possible to dilute

Is it possible to dilute PVA glue with water? It happens that the product becomes very thick and even dries out, but this is not a reason to throw it away. It is in these situations that you can add water and leave to stand for a while. The base will acquire an optimal texture and will not lose its properties.

If you don’t know how to dilute PVA glue if it has thickened, then you can use a slightly warm liquid without hesitation. But still, the dilution must be correct and in compliance with the proportions so that the mixture does not turn out to be too liquid.

PVA glue should be diluted with water correctly, the proportions should be 1:10. This means that the amount of adhesive base must exceed the added liquid by 10 times. As the water increases, the base will become less effective and its abilities will decrease.

To properly dilute PVA glue with water, you should consider the following features:

• Before diluting thickened PVA glue, remove the crust or film;
• Often there are lumps in the thick composition; they should not be removed. During dissolution, the base is thoroughly mixed;
• To dissolve, do not use solvent, acetone, or alcohol. This can cause corrosion of surfaces, for example, plastic;
• Completely dried PVA glue cannot be diluted; it is better to throw it away.

If you follow the above tips, you can quickly dilute the product without losing its technical characteristics. Do not forget that when dissolving PVA liquid, you need to constantly stir it, this will quickly eliminate all lumps and thickening.

What available means can be added to the slime to thicken it, and where is such a substance sold?

When making slimes, you can always use ordinary products as a thickener, those that are in everyone’s kitchen, as well as those that can be bought at any pharmacy. The following describes how you can thicken a toy at home using sodium tetraborate, as well as other things besides it from improvised and purchased products.

Sugar

To make “chewing gum for hands,” it is better to use powdered sugar rather than sugar. It is best to use such a sweet thickener in a recipe with shampoo and liquid soap.

• Option 1. Shampoo and liquid soap are mixed in equal quantities, and a teaspoon of powdered sugar is dissolved in them. After thorough mixing, the mixture is placed in the freezer for 30 minutes.
• Option 2. 1 tablespoon of sugar is dissolved in 100 milliliters of thick shampoo. After the sugar has completely dissolved, the mixture is placed in the refrigerator for 2 days.

Soda

Slime with soda as a thickener is called “hand gum”, since its appearance is very similar to chewing gum. It is very easy to prepare at home using available ingredients. Required:

• ordinary soap solution;
• salt;
• culinary coloring.

How to cook:

1. Mix soda and salt in a 2:1 ratio.
2. Fill with soap solution (mix soap and water 1:1).
3. Add dye.
4. Mix.
5. Pour the mixture into the bag.
6. Place in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

Important! For greater viscosity, you can add a drop of ordinary vinegar.

Gelatin

Required components:

• gelatin;
• plasticine.

How to cook:

1. Dissolve gelatin according to the instructions on the package.
2. Bring gelatin to a boil and remove from heat.
3. Knead 50 grams of plasticine in your hands until plastic.
4. Place the plasticine in warm water.
5. Mix.
6. Combine with gelatin.
7. Place in the refrigerator until cool.

When making slime, gelatin and plasticine must be warm.

Borax

Slime, prepared with Borax thickener, is the most multifunctional. It can roll, retain imprints, and take on different shapes. Borax is available at a hardware store or pharmacy.

How to saddle a slime with Borax:

1. Mix the powder with water in a ratio of 1:12.
2. Add PVA.
3. Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
4. Mix.
5. After thickening, add dye.

Interesting. If you rinse such a slime under running water, the dye will wash out and the toy can be painted a different color.

Hair fixation spray

A fairly inexpensive thickener for slime if you prefer to use sprays to create it. You should choose varnishes with super strong hold. And also use a protective face mask to avoid inhaling the varnish if you want to thicken the toy with it.

1. PVA is poured into the vessel and mixed with dye.
2. Now the varnish is added in long “sprays” of 5–7 seconds.
3. After each splash, the mixture is stirred.
4. When the mixture is thick enough, you should start adding soda little by little. Make all additions without ceasing to stir.

Starch

Starch is allowed in the use of edible slimes. To prepare them, condensed milk is used instead of shampoo. To make the slime thicker, you can take liquid starch or dilute dry starch in water in a ratio of 3:1. If it is an inedible slime, then shaving foam or shampoo is used along with starch.

Boric acid

Necessary:

• 100 grams of PVC;
• 200 grams of stationery glue;
• cooking coloring;
• shaving foam;
• 1 tablespoon boric acid.

Preparation:

1. Mix PVC, office glue and dye.
2. Add foam.
3. The slime should double in size.
4. Boric acid is added.
5. Everything is kneaded like dough.

Sodium tetraborate

The most common slime thickener sold in pharmacies. Dissolve 100 milliliters of PVA in 50 milliliters of warm water and add tetraborate. Add the coloring element and mix well. Pour the mixture into a bag and mash.