There are many recipes around for ways of making slime, lots based on PVA glue. This recipe is however a bit different, and is very similar to the commercially available slime toys. It has a key advantage that the materials are cheap and so large quantities are possible. You could even fill a bath full if you wanted to!
Whilst the materials on this page that are not known to have any significant health risks associated with them, they cannot all be classed as completely hazard free.
The largest single issue is the slipperiness of the mix- it can be very easy to slip over on. It is therefore essential to consider this when planning any activities involving slime, including clean up and washing off as the most significant effects will be found on a smooth surface such as a bath!
The materials are relatively fine powders, and as such create nuisance dust. It is therefore worth wearing a dust mask if handling large quantities. Likewise if this dust gets into eyes it can cause irritation.
Guar gum is not hazardous when eaten, however it can be used as a laxative, so it would probably be unwise to consume large quantities.
Borax (Sodium Tetraborate) is not safe for consumption, and should therefore be handled and used carefully so as to avoid ingestion, although in the quantities actually present in slime it should not cause any concern.
In addition to the specific information above, general safe chemical handling practice will further reduce the risk of any issues, in particular;
Store materials in sealed, well marked, containers in an area out of reach of children and pets
Wash thoroughly before and after handling these materials
Dispose of excess/ used materials/ empty packaging responsibly
Clean up any spills quickly- Avoid using water to stop the area becoming slippery
Do not use utensils/ containers/ cleaning cloths that will be later used for food
Supervise children whilst making or using the slime
In these instructions the quantities I give will make 1 litre of stringy slime. Quantities can therefore be easily adjusted to suit smaller or larger batches to suit your needs.
Whilst the materials on this page that are not known to have any significant health risks associated with them, they cannot all be classed as completely hazard free.
The largest single issue is the slipperiness of the mix- it can be very easy to slip over on. It is therefore essential to consider this when planning any activities involving slime, including clean up and washing off as the most significant effects will be found on a smooth surface such as a bath!
The materials are relatively fine powders, and as such create nuisance dust. It is therefore worth wearing a dust mask if handling large quantities. Likewise if this dust gets into eyes it can cause irritation.
Guar gum is not hazardous when eaten, however it can be used as a laxative, so it would probably be unwise to consume large quantities.
Borax (Sodium Tetraborate) is not safe for consumption, and should therefore be handled and used carefully so as to avoid ingestion, although in the quantities actually present in slime it should not cause any concern.
In addition to the specific information above, general safe chemical handling practice will further reduce the risk of any issues, in particular;
Store materials in sealed, well marked, containers in an area out of reach of children and pets
Wash thoroughly before and after handling these materials
Dispose of excess/ used materials/ empty packaging responsibly
Clean up any spills quickly- Avoid using water to stop the area becoming slippery
Do not use utensils/ containers/ cleaning cloths that will be later used for food
Supervise children whilst making or using the slime
In these instructions the quantities I give will make 1 litre of stringy slime. Quantities can therefore be easily adjusted to suit smaller or larger batches to suit your needs.
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Gather the materials together. You will need;
Guar Gum- This is available from health food shops.
Borax (sodium tetraborate)- Can be found in supermarkets as a water softener with laundry items. Check it doesn’t have anything else added to it.
Glycerine- available from chemists or the baking/ cake decorating aisle of the supermarket
Colouring- food colour, poster or powder paint
Suitable container to mix in
Scales
Wooden spoon, whisk or similar
Measure out the following quantities of materials. I use plastic cups to do this, but a piece of folded paper will work as well. Quantities do not have to be precise, but it may help you make a batch the same in the future if you can be fairly accurate.
The water can go into the mixing container straight away.
Guar Gum 10 grams (1%)
Borax 10 grams (1%)
Glycerine 10 grams (1%)
HOT water 1 litre
Guar Gum- This is available from health food shops.
Borax (sodium tetraborate)- Can be found in supermarkets as a water softener with laundry items. Check it doesn’t have anything else added to it.
Glycerine- available from chemists or the baking/ cake decorating aisle of the supermarket
Colouring- food colour, poster or powder paint
Suitable container to mix in
Scales
Wooden spoon, whisk or similar
Measure out the following quantities of materials. I use plastic cups to do this, but a piece of folded paper will work as well. Quantities do not have to be precise, but it may help you make a batch the same in the future if you can be fairly accurate.
The water can go into the mixing container straight away.
Guar Gum 10 grams (1%)
Borax 10 grams (1%)
Glycerine 10 grams (1%)
HOT water 1 litre
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this is totally it.
You know what another neat old series was? Animorphs. I used to read that like crack
Goosebumps were like, my childhood. This stuff is awesome XD
If handled appropriately, as I have detailed in the instructions, and importantly not eaten there should be no cause for alarm.
As with any product, do not eat, place in the eyes, and if there is any sign of skin sensitivity wash immediately.
When the slime is made, the borax is used to cross link the guar gum- it is therefore chemically bound into the slime. The hazards are therefore primarily related to the preperation of the slime.
1.elmers glue
2.borax
3.water
just asking because i used 'kanji' powder ( i dont know it name in english) to mike slime and it make my hand wet
The PVA version is probably a bit simpler, but the key advantage in using guar gum is you can make a lot of slime very cheaply, which would be impractical with PVA. This means it opens up all sorts of oppurtunities for lucky dips using it, special effects in your home movies, or as ninjnody says, slime wars with your friends!
Great instructable by the way.
I have found that it can keep for a couple of weeks- this will depended on how dirty it getsm and also how warm the area it is kept in. Best to keep it sealed.
I imagine children going crazies with this!
A rubbery polymer sometimes called flubber, gluep or glurch can be made by cross linking polyvinyl alcohol with a borax. Making flubber from polyvinyl alcohol based glues, such as Elmer's Glue, and borax is a common elementary education experiment"
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borax)
I did this in my high school Chemistry laboratory classes (polyvinyl glue instead of guar gum, no glycerine). It feels more like rubber (though it could be stretched, crushed, etc). They also do this for the kids that visit the chemistry labs at my university.
And one question How much time will it remain slime?