How to make slime from PVA glue and sodium tetraborate

Why does slime become dry and hard?

Immediately after production, the handgam stretches well. But without proper care, it becomes too dense or dries out. A decrease in its elasticity is associated with:

• evaporation of moisture;
• ingress of dust and dirt;
• improper storage.

In terms of its properties, homemade slime is almost no different from factory-produced smart plasticine. But if stored improperly, its density increases several times. To prevent the slime from decreasing in size and losing the properties of a non-Newtonian liquid, it needs to be “fed.” Certain substances that everyone has at home are suitable for these purposes.

Which glue works best

The most suitable types for making slime are glues without additives. It is best to use already verified names. For example, Erich Krause, Titan, Stick Up.

Their quality has been proven over time, as has their ability to hold slime together and maintain its structure. At the same time, it is important to purchase PVA M glue and any other types in office supply or construction stores. Certified products are sold there.

Tips on how to soften slime and make it sticky

Slime is a stretchy material that feels like chewing gum. It has unique properties, since its viscosity depends on the speed of external influence. If the moisture content of the slime decreases, it becomes less pliable and elastic.

Many slime lovers don’t know what to do with a dried toy, so they throw it away. But slimers offer a variety of ways to soften slime. They are all very simple, so even a child can cope with the task.

Boiling water

If the slime is too thick, place it in boiling water for a few minutes. To revive a toy, you must:

• pour 150 ml of hot water into an enamel or ceramic bowl;
• put dried slime in it for 7-10 minutes;
• remove the toy with a spoon and cool.

Knead the slime in your hands for 10-15 minutes until it becomes elastic. If it still remains too tight or breaks when stretched, place it again in hot water for 5-7 minutes.

Microwave

If the store-bought slime does not stretch, a microwave will help correct the situation:

• the slime is placed in a plastic bowl;
• 100 ml (half a glass) of water is poured into the bottom;
• place the bowl in the microwave and cover with a lid;
• Warm up the slime for 30-40 seconds.

If you leave the toy in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, it will become too soft. When heated, the mass will absorb too much liquid, which will cause it to become excessively soft. In this case, a pinch of salt or soda will help correct the situation.

Boric acid

Very dry slime becomes dense, so it practically does not absorb liquid. To soften it, use boric acid. An antiseptic in powder form is sold at any pharmacy.

Algorithm of actions:

• pour 100 ml of hot water into a bowl;
• add 1 sachet of boric acid (10 g);
• Dip the slime into the solution for 5-7 minutes.

To increase elasticity, it is recommended to add a little toothpaste to the slime - no more than 1-2 tsp. If it starts to stick to your hands, add a pinch of baking soda.

Shower gel, shaving foam, toothpaste

To make the slime softer, polymer materials are used. They will increase the firmness and elasticity of the mass.

The ideal option is guar gum (guara). Toothpaste, shower gel, and shaving foam are suitable alternatives. The last component will make the slime softer and airier.

How to make slime stretch:

• pour 50 ml of hot water into a bowl;
• pour in 1 tbsp. l. shower gel and toothpaste;
• add a little shaving foam;
• put the slime into the mixed mass;
• knead the toy for 10-15 minutes.

If the slime has already acquired the required density before the specified period, it is taken out of the container and blotted with a napkin. To eliminate stickiness, mix the mass with 1 tsp. boric acid. To prevent irritation and skin rashes, it is recommended to perform the procedure with rubber gloves.

Johnson's Baby Lotion

When stretched, the thick slime breaks. To correct the situation, use Johnson's Baby lotion. The hypoallergenic product has moisturizing properties, so it is ideal for restoring dried slime.

Algorithm of actions:

• 10 ml of lotion is poured onto the toy;
• mix thoroughly for 10-15 minutes;
• leave for 2-3 hours.

The dosage depends on the size and density of the slime. If necessary, add a little more lotion.

Varnish remover

To make the slime stretch again, isopropyl alcohol, acetone or ethyl acetate are added to it. Almost every home has a varnish remover that contains acetone. It is ideal for softening a toy.

To revive a compacted slime, you need:

• put the toy in a plastic container;
• pour it 1 tsp. liquids;
• add 1 tbsp. l. shaving foam;
• knead the mixture for 4-10 minutes.

While working, avoid getting the remover in your eyes. If the liquid does get on the mucous membrane, you need to rinse it with running water.

Body cream

When the moisture from the slime evaporates, it ceases to be pleasant to the touch. Its ability to elastic deformation decreases, so the child loses interest in the toy. To revive hard slime, use body cream. The product is best suited for dry skin.

Slime recovery features:

• squeeze 25 ml of cream into a plastic container;
• pour in 5-10 ml of water;
• Dip the slime into the prepared solution for 20 minutes;
• knead the toy thoroughly in your hands for 5-7 minutes.

If you leave the slime in the solution for 1 hour or more, it will absorb too much moisture and stop holding its shape. To correct the situation, a little thickener is added to it - starch or flour.

Body cream is not suitable for restoring factory-made slime.

other methods

If the handgam has become tight, it is mixed with liquid ingredients. The following are often used as softeners:

• glycerol;
• silicone;
• PVA glue;
• shampoo;
• film mask.

If you add too much liquid, the toy will become shapeless. Therefore, the softener is added in small portions - 1-2 teaspoons.

Very easy way

Components

To make slime at home, prepare: regular brilliant green (1 drop), a bottle of PVA (100-125 ml), two drops of liquid sodium tetraborate.

Take “Diamond Greens” in a bottle. The option in the form of a marker will not work here. And choose a container for mixing that you don’t mind spoiling. There may be traces of antiseptic on it.

It is advisable to mix the slime according to this recipe using PVA glue “Luch”. It will definitely work.

Combining the ingredients

To make slime from PVA glue, mix it with a drop of brilliant green solution. Be careful and make sure that the brilliant green does not get on your clothes or furniture. It is extremely difficult to wash it off from fabric and wood. Do not add more than one drop, otherwise the mixture will stain your hands.

Then pour in the required amount of tetraborate and knead the slime intensively. When it becomes thick enough, transfer it to a plastic bag and knead it (like dough) so as not to stain your palms.

When the mixture thickens and becomes homogeneous, remove it from the bag. In this state, the slime will no longer stain your hands with brilliant green. The slime turns out to be a beautiful bright color.

What to do if the slime doesn't crunch?

Fluffy slime is a soft toy with an airy texture that produces a crunchy sound when squeezed. If it is absent, this indicates a high density of the slime. To bring back the crunch, leavening agents are used.

Crispy slime recipes:

• With Persil gel. Add 4-5 tbsp to 100 ml of silicate glue. l. shaving foam. Use 2-3 tsp as an activator. washing gel. Mix the components for 15 minutes.
• With foam granules. Add 2-4 drops of sodium tetraborate or boric acid solution to 80-100 ml of PVA glue. Add 7-8 tbsp. l. foam granules and mix the ingredients thoroughly.
• With starch. 50 ml of shower gel is mixed with the same amount of toothpaste. Add 2 tbsp. l. potato or corn starch. Add 3-5 drops of borax or sodium tetraborate.

To revive the finished slime, just add starch, foam granules or shaving foam to it.

Slime made from nail polish and PVA

Handgam from varnish turns out to be a bright color that does not change its shade during the process. It’s better to take a container for work that you won’t mind throwing away. The process itself should be carried out in a well-ventilated area.

Progress:

1. Thoroughly mix a jar of glue and varnish of your favorite color.

2. Measure out exactly as much warm water as the PVA was poured in and add to the mixture.
3. We choose sodium tetraborate as a thickener. We drip it drop by drop. After each stir vigorously. This is the only way to achieve the desired thickness, otherwise the substance will be hard.

4. The slime will gather itself into the desired mass, so it will be very easy to determine whether the product is ready.

When making slime with a rather unsafe composition, you should pay close attention to safety precautions:

• It is better not to give this toy to preschool children, as they like to bring it to their face and try to inflate it, which leads to hazardous substances getting into the mucous membranes and can cause poisoning;
• All preparation work should be carried out only in the open air and wearing gloves. Volatile compounds in high concentrations are dangerous;
• If there are any injuries on the child’s hands, then there is no need to give slime, as the substances will cause additional irritation and worsen the situation.

How to prevent slime from drying out and hardening

Over time, the slime decreases, which indicates the evaporation of moisture. If not properly cared for, handgam remains elastic for about 5-12 days. To protect it from drying out, you should:

• store slime in a container with an airtight lid;
• leave in the refrigerator door overnight;
• Add liquid to the mass once every 3-5 days.

The plastic toy needs periodic water treatments. In hot weather and with frequent play, it quickly thickens. To prevent this, you need to place the slime in a container with a small amount of water. After 30 minutes, knead it thoroughly.

Features of using tetraborate in slimes

Sodium tetraborate is a well-known antiseptic that is used in medicine and cosmetology. It is used as a local bactericidal agent for children and adults. Slime creators love it for its trouble-free effect on all types of adhesives and many other components. Sodium tetraborate is sold in pharmacies without a prescription. It can be either in liquid form or in powder, which must be diluted with water before use.

It is strictly forbidden to take sodium tetraborate orally, taste it, or inhale it! If an allergic reaction, irritation, redness of the skin or mucous membranes occurs, immediately stop work, wash your hands, and ventilate the room.

Sodium tetraborate is often used to mix slime, adding it last, when all the other ingredients are mixed and the mass is colored in the desired color. The magic begins the moment a few drops of Borax enter the mixture. From a liquid mass, it becomes a clot and easily comes off the walls of the dish, remaining on the spoon or spatula. This is already a real slime that needs to be kneaded with your hands so that it finally takes shape, completing its transformation.

To watch this exciting process with your own eyes at home, just choose one of the simple slime recipes with sodium tetraborate and follow the instructions exactly.

Why did the slime become liquid?

If the slime does not hold its shape, this indicates oversaturation with liquid. You can correct the situation using one of the following options:

• add 1 tsp. table salt;
• place the toy in starch for 15-20 minutes;
• pour in 1-3 drops of sodium tetraborate;
• mix the mixture with 2 tsp. granulated sugar.

Regardless of the composition, the following will help make the slime denser:

• activators – boric acid, washing gel, liquid for storing contact lenses, sodium tetraborate;
• thickeners - silicone, starch, granulated sugar, thick shampoo, film mask.

To avoid such situations, it is not recommended to store handgams in the bathroom and other rooms with high humidity.

Selecting components

Types of adhesives

Slime made from PVA glue and sodium tetraborate always quickly thickens to the desired consistency. The only exception is when you use poor quality glue. Remember, if the expiration date has passed, or the consistency is compromised due to storage conditions, this product cannot be used.

The component should be thick, fresh and sticky. Not only white PVA is suitable for making your own slimes. If you wish, you can mix the slime from office glue.

Don’t neglect the solid adhesive components either, since it is also possible to make slime from pencil glue, you just need to melt it in the microwave.

Compositions suitable for slimes are described in more detail in the article “What glue is suitable for slimes.”

Thickening compositions

Sodium tetraborate is an antiseptic sold in any pharmacy. The substance is made from boric acid salts. Tetraborate can be used in any form: liquid (solution with glycerin) and crystalline (other names - borax, borax).

You can also use products containing it: Teymurov spray, contact lens care liquid, liquid and dry boric acid, etc. These drugs work correctly and help achieve the required density of the slime mass.

To make great slime, carefully study the selection of methods that tell you how to make slime from PVA glue with the addition of sodium tetraborate.

Signs that the slime has gone sour

The only drawback of homemade slimes is their susceptibility to fungal diseases. If food components are added, the toy may quickly deteriorate. Over time, black dots appear on its surface. These are mold fungi that actively reproduce. This slime is a source of infection, so you need to say goodbye to it.

You will have to part with the toy 5-10 days after production if it contains:

• starch;
• Brewer's yeast;
• granulated sugar;
• food colorings.

If you don’t have other components at hand, but you really want to create an anti-stress toy, then you should provide it with proper care. After playing, put it in a container with an airtight lid and put it in the refrigerator. If you follow the recommendations, you can extend the life of the handgam by 1.5-2 times.

Classic slime recipe

The so-called “basic” recipe, on the basis of which you can make many other slimes by adding certain components. For it you will need PVA or silicate glue, borax, and water. The appearance and durability of the future slime depends on the quality and freshness of the adhesive base.

1. First, dilute sodium tetraborate with water. For half a glass of water - half a teaspoon of borax.
2. In another container, tint 50 grams of glue with any dye and mix so that the color is uniform, without streaks.
3. Now we begin to gradually add liquid to the colored mass, stirring constantly. Soon the mass will begin to thicken, reaching for a spoon.
4. We stir the mixture for some more time, because the water prevents it from thickening quickly. Then you can take the slime with your hands and continue to knead it.

That's all. The "basic" sodium tetraborate slime is ready to play. This slime is stored inside an airtight container in a cool place.

Glow in the dark slime

The slime that glows in the dark looks absolutely fantastic. This anti-stress accumulates solar energy, and then emits a mysterious ghostly glow all night long.

This toy will cause a storm of delight in the child. Despite its unusual appearance, there is nothing difficult in its preparation. This slime is mixed using sodium tetraborate and a special luminescent pigment based on a phosphor.

For it you will need:

• any glue - 100 ml;
• luminous paint - a small pinch;
• dye;
• borax (dry or liquid);
• water.

If the thickener is dry, you must first make a solution from it, as in the previous recipe. It’s easier with liquid sodium tetraborate - we’ll add it directly from the bottle.

1. In a deep bowl, mix glue and water in a 1:1 ratio.
2. Tint the mixture and add luminous pigment.
3. Then we thicken the slime by adding about a teaspoon of activator.
4. Knead thoroughly so that it is homogeneous and viscous.

This kind of handgam is called a “phantom” or “firefly”. You can play with it during the day, and admire the glowing jar before going to bed.

Sparkle Slime

A fabulously beautiful slime without dye, but with a lot of glitter. To make it, we will use sodium tetraborate and dry polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), which is sold in hardware stores.

Ingredients for handgam:

• warm water - 0.5 liters;
• Dry PVA - 1 tablespoon;
• dry borax - 5 grams;
• sparkles.

To prepare sparkling slime from tetraborate and PVA, it is important to maintain all proportions.

1. In two separate containers, mix PVA and borax with water. For alcohol you need to take 400 ml of warm water, for borax - 100 ml. We carefully monitor that the crystals are completely dissolved.
2. After this, combine both liquids and begin to knead the resulting mass. Borax reacts with alcohol, causing the mixture to thicken.
3. Add glitter to the slime. Their number determines how sparkling the toy will be.

The slime turns out big, soft and very beautiful.

Matte slime

The next slime has no shine, it has a matte, velvety surface. It consists of thick PVA glue and a thickener - liquid or powder tetraborate. In the second case, we first dilute the substance with water in a ratio of 1:10.

The preparation process is simple: add a thickener to the tinted glue and bring the reaction to completion, vigorously stirring the mass. Opaque PVA glue gives the toy a matte finish.

Starry sky

To make this slime, you need to stock up on blue dye, as well as silver sparkles of different sizes. In addition, you will need PVA glue and Borax.

This hand chewing gum is made according to the classic recipe. Before thickening, the glue must be mixed with dye and glitter. After adding the activator, you get a beautiful toy with a pearlescent sheen.

Space slime

This slime is similar to the previous one, but there are several shades, and transparent glue is used for the base. The result is a stunning three-color piece of the galaxy, mesmerizing in its appearance.

To make it, you need to be patient, but the result is worth it!

Ingredients:

• 2 bottles of transparent glue;
• water;
• dyes of three different colors. It is better to take shades reminiscent of space - black, blue, light blue, lilac, pink;
• sparkles of different sizes;
• borax - 1 tablespoon;
• separate dishes for three parts of slime.

The cooking process is simple but exciting:

1. First, we make a solution of borax, mixing it with water in a ratio of approximately 1:2. We get 3 tablespoons of liquid. They will need to be distributed equally between three containers.
2. Pour the glue equally into three bowls.
3. We add our own dye color to each one. In the first we mix blue and black, we paint the second part with lilac or purple, and we give the third a delicate pink tint.
4. Glitter can be added to each part, or only to two of the three.
5. Now it's the activator's turn. Pour a spoonful of tetraborate into each bowl and stir vigorously until thickened. The slimes will turn out very soft, but will gain density after kneading with your hands.

After all the parts are ready, you can connect them and admire the smooth color transitions.