How to Add Scent to Slime

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: August 18, 2022 References Tested

You can add scent to just about any slime recipe. From extracts to baking spices, the possibilities are endless. The key difference is when you add the scent. If you are using a liquid scent, such as an extract or oil, you add it to the glue mixture. If you are using a baking spice, then you add it after you finish the slime.

Ingredients

Using Fragrance Oil

2 bottles of school glue (clear or glitter)
5 to 10 ounces (150 to 300 mL) of liquid starch
Fragrance oil, essential oil, or extract

Using Baking Spices

1 bottle of school glue (plain, white, or glitter)
1/2 teaspoon of Borax
1 cup (240 mL) of hot water
¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of water
1 tablespoon of pumpkin spice (or other baking spice)

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Fragrance Oil

1
Pour 2 bottles of clear or glitter school glue into a bowl. Do not use regular white school glue. It has different ingredients and won’t react with liquid starch the same way clear or glitter school glue does.^{[1]
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- Most bottles of school glue are about 5 ounces (150 mL). Keep this in mind, as this will affect how much liquid starch you use.
- You can make a smaller batch of slime using just 1 bottle of glue. You’ll use less liquid starch as a result.
- If you are using clear school glue, remember: you can always add glitter to it later!
2
Stir in extra glitter with a spoon, if desired. How much glitter you use is up to you. Start with about 1 tablespoon, then add more until you get the look you want. Extra-fine glitter will work and look much better than the regular chunky kind.^{[2]
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- If you are using glittery school glue, you probably already have enough glitter.
- If you want your slime to be more colorful, add 8 to 12 drops of food coloring. This is enough for 2 bottles of glue.^{[3]
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3
Stir in your fragrance oil, essential oil, or extract. These are not interchangeable, and you will need to use different amounts for each. Choose your desired fragrance, then stir it into the glue. The amounts listed below are for 2 bottles of glue; if you used a different amount, adjust it accordingly.
- Baking extract: 2 to 4 teaspoons. This is your basic almond, lemon, mint, or vanilla extract. You can get it in the baking section of a grocery store.^{[4]
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- Candy-making flavoring oil: 2 vials. You can buy this in the candy-making section of a craft store. It comes packs of 2 tiny bottles. You will need to use both tiny bottles.
- Essential oil: 8 drops. Buy it in a health food store or in the soap-making section of a craft store. Vanilla, lemon, mint, and lavender are great choices.^{[5]
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- Fragrance oil: 1/2 teaspoon. This is similar to essential oil, but less potent. Make sure that it is skin-safe. Soap-making fragrance oils will be the best.
4
Stir in 5 to 10 ounces (150 to 300 mL) of liquid starch. Start with 5 ounces (150 mL) of liquid starch. Pour it into the glue, then stir it in. If the consistency is not quite right, add more liquid starch.^{[6]
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- Don’t use more than 10 ounces (300 mL) of liquid starch altogether.
- If you used a different amount of glue, use half of what you used for the glue. For example, if you used 5 ounces (150 mL) of glue, use 2.5 ounces (75 mL) of liquid starch.
5
Take the slime out and knead it for about 2 to 3 minutes. There may be some starch left in the bowl, which is fine. The starch is simply there to activate the slime ingredients. The glue will pick up what it needs to turn into slime, and leave the rest behind.^{[7]
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- As you knead the slime, it will take on a more putty-like consistency.
- Make sure that your hands are clean and dry for this.
6
Adjust the consistency, if needed. Again, this is mostly up to your preferences. If the slime is too sticky for you, add more liquid starch. If the slime is too stiff or rubbery, add more glue. Be sure to knead the slime well after each addition that you make!^{[8]
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7
Store the slime in an airtight container. Because this slime is homemade, it won’t last as long as store-bought slime. It will last about 2 to 3 days, though it may last up to 4 days.
- Slime will start to dry out as it gets old. If it becomes too hard to play with and loses its stretch and ooze, it's time to toss it.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Baking Spices

1
Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of Borax in 1 cup (240 mL) of hot water. Pour 1 cup (240 mL) of hot water into a cup. Add 1/2 teaspoon of Borax, then stir the solution until the Borax dissolves completely. Set the cup aside so that the Borax water can cool down to room temperature.^{[9]
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Pour 1 bottle of school glue into a large bowl. The bottle should contain about 5 ounces (150 mL) of glue. You can use white, clear, or glittered school glue. Keep in mind that you can always add glitter and/or food coloring later to white or clear school glue.^{[10]
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- You will be kneading the slime in the bowl, so make sure that it’s big enough for your hands.
3
Stir ¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of water into the glue. This is important because it will make the glue thinner and easier to work with. Be sure to stir the glue and water well; you want the consistency to be even. This may take a few minutes, especially if you are using clear or glittered school glue.^{[11]
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Add in some glitter and/or food coloring, if desired. If you don’t do this, your slime will be white, which is perfectly fine if that’s what you want. Plan on using about 4 to 6 drops of food coloring.^{[12]
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- You don’t need to add food coloring into glitter school glue because it already has color in it.
5
Stir the Borax solution into the glue, then wait 1 minute. The glue won’t absorb all of the Borax solution, which is fine. Simply pour the Borax solution into the glue, then give it a quick stir. Set the bowl aside for 1 minute.^{[13]
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- During this time, the ingredients will come together and start to polymerize.
6
Knead the slime for 2 to 3 minutes with your hands. Borax water can be harsh on the skin, so it would be a good idea to wear plastic gloves of some sort for this step. Simply reach into the bowl and squish and knead the slime. Try to pick up as much of the Borax water as you can.^{[14]
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- There may still be some Borax water left in the bowl, which is fine. The glue will have picked up everything it needed in order to turn into slime.
7
Knead 1 tablespoon of your desired spice into the slime. Choose a baking spice from the list below, then sprinkle it onto a flat surface. Press the slime a few times against the spice to pick it up, then knead the slime to mix the spice in. Keep kneading until the color is consistent.^{[15]
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- Apple pie
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Pumpkin spice
8
Keep the slime in an airtight container. Homemade slime isn't exactly the same as store-bought slime, so it won't last quite as long. Expect your slime to last about 4 to 5 days.
- Slime hardens the older it gets, so when your slime starts to lose its stretch, toss it.

Community Q&A

Question

Is it possible to add perfume to slime? Will adding perfume affect it in any way?

Community Answer

Yes, you can add perfume to slime and it shouldn't affect the slime. However, don't add too much or it may become too runny and the smell will be too strong.
Question

How do I make my slime stretchy?

Community Answer

To make slime stretchy, simply add a bit of lotion or toothpaste. If you add toothpaste, add only a small amount because it can melt the slime.
Question

I made slime with conditioner and flour, but now it's gone all smelly! Can I add vanilla extract and perfume in it?

Community Answer

Sure! You could add scented lotion or perfume. You could also use essential oils but make sure you like the smell you're adding into your slime. I would suggest only adding one type of scent at a time, some don't combine well.

Warnings

These recipes are not edible. If you are concerned that your child may try to eat the slime, don't use a yummy fragrance, like vanilla.

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Citrus-based essential oils are phototoxic, so wash your hands really well after playing with the slime before you step outside.

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