How to Soften Slime

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Slime is stretchy and glossy in all the right ways. It's perfect for stress relief, but if you've pulled your slime out of its container only to find it's hard as a rock, don't worry. Fortunately, we have a few tricks up your sleeve that you can use to turn your slime soft again.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Simple Methods to Soften Slime

1
Add a bit of water. Sounds too simple, right? It's true, some slimes can be revived this way. Put the slime in a bowl, and add a small amount of water to it. You likely won't need more than spoonful. Then just knead away until the slime softens.^{[1]
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- Remember, water can make or break your slime. Make sure you only add a little bit of water if you don't want jiggly slime.
2
Mix in some hand sanitizer or antibacterial gel. Another way to soften slime is to add a drop or two of hand sanitizer. The brand doesn't matter, just make sure you like the scent. Place the slime in a bowl, and just drip the gel in. Use your fingers to fold the hand sanitizer into your slime until it's a desirable consistency. Bonus, now your slime will be bacteria-free and smell great (for a while, anyway).^{[2]
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- You can add more gel if it doesn't soften on the first try.
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3
Moisten it with lotion. Lotion keeps your skin nice and soft, and it can do the same for your slime. Go figure! Just put a spoonful or two in a bowl (four or five pumps if your lotion comes with a pump). Throw the slime into a bowl with your lotion and poke it with your fingers. Once your slime is covered in the lotion, you can take it out and knead it until it's soft.^{[3]
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4
Add more glue. If you used a recipe that called for glue plus Borax, laundry detergent, contact lens solution, or liquid starch, adding a bit more glue can help the situation. Add a spoonful or so at a time, and knead it in to soften it.^{[4]
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- Be sure you match the type of glue you add with the glue you made your slime with. For example, don't add white glue to clear slime.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Moisturizing Slime by Heating

1
Let the slime soak in warm water. Pour some warm water into a bowl, and place the slime in it. You can mix it around with your hands a bit. Keep it in the water for a minute or so. It may seem like it's coming apart, but it will still be fine.^{[5]
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2
Microwave the slime for 10 seconds. Pull the slime out of the water, and squeeze it. You don't want all that water to come with the slime. Put it in a microwave-safe bowl and stick it in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Let it sit outside of the microwave for about a minute so you don't burn your fingers. No slime is worth burnt fingers.^{[6]
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3
Add some lotion for extra softening power. Squirt in a spoonful or two of lotion. It doesn't matter what kind. If you use a good-smelling one, then your slime will smell good, too. Use your hands to mix the lotion in. High-five! You've fixed your slime.^{[7]
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- If it looks too runny at the end, add a dash of activator. Activator is just whatever you used to make the slime in the first place, such as half a teaspoon of Borax dissolved in a glass of water.

Community Q&A

Question

My friend said my slime is getting hard because I played with it too much, is this true?

Community Answer

Yes. I fix this by putting it into the microwave for about 5 seconds, then adding lotion. If it's sticky, add a little bit of activator.
Question

Will the slime release any harmful fumes when I heat it in a microwave?

Community Answer

No, not at all.
Question

Will the slime make noises in the microwave?

Community Answer

It shouldn't if you leave it in for just 10 seconds and make sure you add water.