How to Make Slime with Laundry Detergent

Discover the fun of making slime with laundry detergent! Kids will love getting messy with this easy activity they can do at home.

Skills Required: None. Anyone of any age can make slime. Perfect for ages toddler to adult. All you’ll be doing is mixing ingredients in a bowl. The detergent must contain sodium borate.

There’s only one question I have about slime making these days – why didn’t we know about this fun activity when I was younger?

It was a simpler time back then I suppose.

Either that or my parents completely deprived me of any slime making fun. Maybe everyone else was doing it and I didn’t know? That’s quite possible. I come from the kind of family that derives entertainment from twigs and Tupperware containers.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that, right? It stimulates the imagination when you don’t have a bunch of toys as a child, at least it did for me.

Having said that, I think this slime recipe is a fun way to get creative with your kids. Though there are only a few ingredients, the customization possibilities are what make it fun. You can toss in food coloring, glitter, and endless add ins (which I discuss below).

You’re going to love making slime, and I can’t wait to show you how it’s done!

How is this slime made?

You’re going to mix glue and mix ins (like coloring and glitter) in a container, and then add an activator. Activator is the additive that turns the glue into slime. In this case, the activator is laundry detergent!

What laundry detergent is best for slime?

In order for the slime to work, the detergent must contain sodium borate such as Gain or Tide Free and Clear.

Can you make slime with Tide?

Absolutely! The detergent must contain sodium borate, so use Tide Free & Clear or Simply Clear & Fresh.

What add ins can you put in your slime recipe?

This is one of my favorite parts – adding various goodies into my recipe! This is where you can really have fun. Here are just some of the things I’ve used when making slime. I’d love to know which of these you’ve tried.

1. Action Figures – we used plastic zombies in our Halloween slime!
2. Beads – all different kinds, but plastic pony beads are really fun
3. Buttons – Small, colorful plastic buttons look great in white/clear slime
4. Clay Pieces – these small polymer pieces are so fun; I especially love the fruit!
5. Confetti – It’s so fun to add in confetti – yes, even paper confetti! See a recipe I did here that uses it
6. Essential Oils – these don’t color your slime, but they sure make it
7. Fake Snow – very similar to confetti, but often shimmery, and great for Christmas slime recipes
8. Foam Beads – you can get these in almost any color, and they add a fun texture
9. Food Coloring – this is what you’ll use for a base color
10. Glitter – one of the core tenants of slime add ins; you can use it with all the other add ins for a very cool effect
11. Pigment Powder – another way to add a base color, typically with a metallic sheet
12. Poly Pellets – another way to add texture similar to foam beads
13. Polymer Clay – Clay makes slime recipes very soft; you’ll love the texture
14. Pom Poms – these small little balls add a lot of color and texture

Are you ready to learn how to make slime with laundry detergent? Let’s dive in!

Gather These Supplies

• Laundry detergent (detergent must contain sodium borate such as Gain or Tide Free and Clear)
• School glue – 4 oz. (1 bottle)
• Food coloring (or other add ins)

Tools

• Bowl
• Measuring cups
• Fork
• Airtight container

Tip: Choose a bowl that you’ll only use for crafting. None of the ingredients are food safe, and although they’re non-toxic, I prefer having designated bowls for this project.

Now prepare yourself for hours of good times!

Store in an airtight container when not being used. Slime doesn’t really go bad . . . but it can lose moisture or grow mold depending on the environment. If you have to throw it out, you can easily make a new batch!

Now that you know how to make slime with laundry detergent, start experimenting!

---

If you enjoy kids’ crafts, I’d love for you to check out these other slime recipes that your whole family will love:

Clay • Clear • Cloud • Color Changing • Crunchy • Edible • Fluffy • Galaxy • Green Booger • Glitter • Glow in the Dark • Halloween • Play Doh • Rainbow • Sand • Slime Shops • Unicorn