The most common recipe for homemade slime uses borax, but not everyone has borax readily available at home. Luckily, it is still possible to make slime without borax, and this wikiHow will show you how.

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups (350ml) of water
  • Food coloring (optional)
  • 2 cups cornstarch
  • 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 Tablespoon (14 grams) of corn flour
  • Food coloring (optional)
  • ½ cup glue
  • Food coloring (optional)
  • ½ cup baby powder
  • Water
  • Food coloring
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) powdered fiber
  • 1 cup (237ml) of water
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Making Oobleck

  1. 1
    Add 1 cup (250ml) of water to a small saucepan. Heat until the water is warm but not hot or boiling. You do not want to use boiling water because then you will have to wait for it to cool before you can use your hands to mix the slime.
    • You can also pour the water into a microwave-safe bowl and place it in the microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute to heat up the water.
  2. 2
    Pour the cup of the warm water into a bowl. Add three to four drops of food coloring until the water is about a shade darker than you want the slime to be. When you make the slime, the color will be diluted slightly. Mix the water well with a spoon.
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  3. 3
    Measure 2 cups (140g/500ml) of cornstarch. Cornstarch is known as cornflour in the UK and elsewhere. Place it into a separate large-sized bowl.
  4. 4
    Empty the colored water into the bowl with the cornstarch. Pour the colored water in slowly. Use your fingers to mix the ingredients together. Thoroughly blend the mixture into the consistency of a thick paste.
  5. 5
    Regulate the consistency of the slime. You can add more cornstarch if the slime is too thin. Add more warm water from the amount remaining in the pan if the mixture is too thick. This is a matter of personal preference.
    • Keep doing this as much as needed to obtain a mixture that is of the right slimy consistency for your needs. You should be able to put your fingers into the mixture easily. When you run your finger along the slime's surface, it should feel dry.
  6. 6
    Add items to the slime to make it extra fun (optional). You can use rubber worms, plastic insects or eyeballs, etc. This is a great idea for a Halloween party, a science party or for a party or camp based on nature or environmental themes.
  7. 7
    Place your slime into a plastic bag. Seal the bag well to preserve it.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Making Edible Slime

  1. 1
    Pour the can of sweetened condensed milk into a saucepan. You can also use a pot.[1]
  2. 2
    Add 1 tablespoon (14 grams) of cornstarch to the sweetened condensed milk. Turn the heat on low and simmer the mixture. Stir constantly.[2]
  3. 3
    Remove the mixture from the heat when it has thickened. Add the food coloring. Add as much as you need to reach your desired color.[3]
  4. 4
    Allow the slime to cool. Once it has cooled, you can play with (or eat) it. Keep in mind that it might stain lighter colored clothes or carpets.[4]
  5. 5
    Done.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Making Baby Powder Slime

  1. 1
    Pour a half a cup of PVA glue into a bowl.
  2. 2
    Add a drop or two of food coloring.
  3. 3
    Mix well to combine and distribute the color evenly.
  4. 4
    Add a half cup of baby powder (talc). Add more if needed, until it reaches a slime consistency.
  5. 5
    Play with the slime. Store in an airtight container.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Making Powdered Fiber Slime

  1. 1
    Mix 1 teaspoon of powdered fiber with 1 cup of water. Be sure to do this in a microwave-safe bowl as you will be putting the mixture in the microwave later.[5]
  2. 2
    Add drops of food coloring until the water and fiber mixture is your desired color. This will be the color of your slime. It will not be diluted later. Stir thoroughly.[6]
  3. 3
    Place the mixture and microwave-safe bowl in the microwave. Heat it on high for four to five minutes. Check on the mixture regularly to make sure that it does not boil over the bowl.[7]
  4. 4
    Let the mixture stand for two to four minutes and stir. The mixture should be relatively cool after this amount of time.[8]
  5. 5
    Repeat the boiling and cooling process two to six times, stirring the mixture each time you let it cool. The more times you repeat this process, the thicker your slime will be.
  6. 6
    Let the slime cool in the microwave. Let it sit for 10 or so minutes. Make sure not to handle it before it is fully cooled as it will be very hot.[9]
    • You can place the slime on a plate or cutting board to cool.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do you make simple slime?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Add some glue into a bowl with liquid laundry detergent and mix until it no longer sticks to your hands. Be advised, organic detergent won't work.
  • Question
    Is there an easier way to make slime?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, although this slime may turn out thick. In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup of white glue and 1 tablespoon of liquid laundry detergent. Stir to combine, then wait a few minutes for it to turn gooey. If you want to make colored slime, stir in a few drops of food coloring into the glue before you add the detergent.
  • Question
    Can I make slime with powdered laundry detergent?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes. Mix the powder with warm water, then pour that mixture into glue for slime. Food coloring is optional.
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Warnings

  • Do not put the slime on easily stained areas like marble flooring. Clean immediately in case of a spill.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Though Basic Cornstarch and Slime Powdered Fiber Slime are made without Borax, supervise and do not let children put it in their mouths or eat it as it's not a food product. For very young children, it could be a choking hazard. However, should a child swallow some, provided choking isn't occurring, this slime should pass through without issues. This does not apply to Edible Slime.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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Things You'll Need

  • Saucepan
  • Bowl
  • Spoon
  • Large microwave-safe bowl
  • Microwave

About This Article

Tested by:
wikiHow Video Team
wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 221 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 4,799,901 times.
117 votes - 53%
Co-authors: 221
Updated: March 14, 2023
Views: 4,799,901
Categories: Putty Dough and Slime
Article SummaryX

To make slime without borax, first, mix together a fourth cup (60 milliliters) of glue and 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of water in a bowl. Add a few drops of your favorite food coloring if you like. Next, add in 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of liquid laundry detergent and mix until combined. Continue adding 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of laundry detergent to the mixture at a time until you reach your desired consistency. Knead the slime with your hands and enjoy.

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