DIY Slime Recipe Without Borax

Slime-making has become a favorite activity for kids and adults alike, but not everyone is comfortable using borax in their recipes. Whether you’re looking for a safer alternative for younger children, or just want to explore new ways to make slime, the good news is that borax-free slime is just as fun to make!

With common household ingredients like baking soda, cornstarch, and even dish soap, you can create gooey, stretchy slime without worrying about harsh chemicals. Check out these easy, borax-free slime recipes that are perfect for some hands-on fun. You can still enjoy the science and creativity of slime – minus the borax!

Why is Borax Used in Slime Recipes?

Borax is one of the most popular activators in DIY slime recipes for creating the “right” consistency and feel. It helps turn liquid glue into stretchy slime. When you mix borax with water, it creates something called borate ions in a solution. These ions connect with the glue’s long molecules, called polymers, making them stick together in a new way.

This is what changes the glue from a runny liquid into a thicker, squishy slime. The more borax you use, the firmer the slime will be, and if you use less, the slime will be stretchier. This process is what gives slime its fun, bouncy, and stretchy texture!

Here’s what happens in more detail:

• Cross-linking: The borate ions bond to the PVA (polyvinyl acetate) molecules in the glue, connecting them together in a process called cross-linking. This turns the glue’s liquid state into a more solid, rubbery slime form.
• Texture: The amount of borax determines the texture of the slime. More borax creates a firmer, less stretchy slime, while less borax results in a more stretchy, oozy slime.
• Elasticity: This cross-linking gives the slime its elastic and moldable characteristics because it allows the polymer chains to move past each other but still stay linked.

Drawbacks to Borax in Slime

There are a few drawbacks to using borax in DIY slime recipes, especially when making slime for kids:

1. Skin Irritation: Borax can sometimes cause skin irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin. It’s important to wash hands after handling slime with borax and avoid touching the eyes.
2. Toxicity: Although borax is generally safe in small amounts, it can be toxic if ingested in large quantities. It’s important to supervise children to make sure they don’t put slime in their mouths or accidentally swallow it.
3. Availability and Safety Concerns: In some regions, borax has raised safety concerns, leading to it being banned or restricted for certain uses. Some people prefer borax-free alternatives for slime to avoid these issues.

We’ve never had any issues with borax slime (and find it easier to clean up or peel off of surfaces.) If you have trouble sourcing Borax or want to play it safe, here are some substitutes:

Substitutes for Borax in Slime

If we still want to have fun with slime and avoid borax, how do we get something with the right slimy consistency? With substitutes, we won’t have the same chemical bonds and texture – but we’ll be able to concoct and enjoy different kinds of slime!

Saline Solution

In slime-making, saline solution plays the role of an activator that turns the glue into slime.

Many slime recipes call for saline with boric acid which is the same active ingredient as borax, just is a smaller “safe” amount. Saline solution, after all, is intended to be dropped into eyes. For truly borax free slime, use saline without boric acid.

The key difference between saline solution with boric acid and without boric acid lies in how they cause the chemical reaction that forms slime.

Saline with Boric Acid:

• Boric acid or sodium borate in the saline acts as a cross-linking agent for the slime. When mixed with glue, the borate ions from the boric acid react with the glue’s long polymer chains (polyvinyl acetate in PVA glue). This process is called cross-linking, which transforms the glue from a liquid to a stretchy, rubbery substance, creating slime. The borate ions bond the glue molecules together, giving the slime its stretchy and firm texture.

In this case, the reaction is very similar to what happens when using borax powder mixed with water.

Saline Without Boric Acid:

• Saline without boric acid lacks the cross-linking agent that helps form slime through the borate reaction. Instead, in recipes that use baking soda and shaving cream (or other thickeners), the saline serves primarily to adjust the texture of the slime. The baking soda helps to firm up the glue slightly by neutralizing its acidity, and the saline helps create a smooth, stretchy consistency by making the slime more cohesive and less sticky.

In this case, the reaction is weaker, and the slime relies more on the physical properties of ingredients like glue, shaving cream, or cornstarch rather than a strong chemical cross-linking reaction.

Each alternative give the slime a different texture, which opens some interesting opportunities for a variety of slimes!

Corn Starch

Cornstarch based slime is usually combined with liquid dish soap or gelatin. Cornstarch is made up of tiny particles, and when you mix it with soap or gelatin, it doesn’t dissolve. Instead, the cornstarch particles float around in the solution, forming something called a non-Newtonian fluid, commonly called Oobleck after the Dr. Seuss story.

Non-Newtonian fluids are a type of material that acts like both a liquid and a solid, depending on how you handle it. If you press or squeeze it, the slime feels stiff and hard like a solid. But if you let it sit or move it gently, it flows and feels more like a liquid. It’s like magic!

Recipes for No Borax Slime

Fluffy Slime Recipe (Borax-Free)

Materials:

• 1 cup of white PVA glue (like Elmer’s or school glue)
• ½ teaspoon of baking soda
• 1–2 cups of shaving cream (foaming type, not gel)
• 1 tablespoon of contact lens solution (without boric acid, look for saline-only types)
• Optional: food coloring or glitter

Steps:

1. Pour the glue into a bowl.
   Start by adding 1 cup of white glue to a mixing bowl.
2. Add baking soda.
   Mix in ½ teaspoon of baking soda, which will help firm the slime.
3. Add shaving cream.
   Stir in about 1–2 cups of shaving cream (adjust the amount for desired fluffiness). This will make the slime extra fluffy and light.
4. Add food coloring or glitter (optional).
   If you want your slime to be colorful, add a few drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly.
5. Add contact lens solution.
   Slowly add 1 tablespoon of contact lens solution (make sure it doesn’t contain boric acid), stirring as you go. The slime will start to come together. Add a little more if the slime is still sticky (about ½ tablespoon at a time).
6. Knead the slime.
   Use your hands to knead the slime until it becomes smooth and stretchy. The more you knead, the better the texture will be.
7. Play and enjoy!
   Now your fluffy, borax-free slime is ready for fun! Keep it in an airtight container when you’re done playing to keep it from drying out.

Edible Chocolate Slime Recipe

For a slime that’s not only fun to play with but also delicious, try making edible chocolate slime! This recipe uses simple ingredients like cornstarch and chocolate syrup to create a gooey, stretchy slime that’s completely safe to eat.

Materials Needed:

• 1 cup of cornstarch
• ½ cup of chocolate syrup
• ¼ cup of water
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon

Steps to Make Edible Chocolate Slime:

1. Mix the cornstarch and chocolate syrup:
   In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of cornstarch with ½ cup of chocolate syrup. Stir the mixture until it starts to come together. The cornstarch will thicken the syrup, creating the base for your slime.
2. Slowly add water:
   Gradually pour in ¼ cup of water while stirring the mixture. The water helps adjust the texture, making the slime smoother and more pliable. If the mixture is too thick, add a little more water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
3. Knead the slime:
   Once the ingredients are well-mixed, use your hands to knead the slime. The more you knead, the more elastic and gooey it will become. If it’s too sticky, sprinkle in a little more cornstarch until it feels just right.
4. Play and enjoy!
   Your edible chocolate slime is now ready! You can stretch it, squish it, and even take a bite—just be sure to wash your hands before eating.

How Chocolate Slime Works:

The cornstarch in this recipe works as a thickening agent, giving the chocolate syrup a stretchy, slime-like texture. Because it’s a non-Newtonian fluid, the slime behaves like both a solid and a liquid, depending on how you handle it. And the best part? It’s safe to eat, making it perfect for younger kids or anyone who loves a sweet twist on slime!

Cornstarch and Dish Soap Slime Recipe (Borax-Free)

Materials:

• 1 cup of cornstarch
• ½ cup of liquid dish soap
• Optional: food coloring or glitter

Steps:

1. Mix the cornstarch and dish soap.
   In a bowl, combine 1 cup of cornstarch with ½ cup of dish soap.
2. Add food coloring or glitter (optional).
   If you want, add a few drops of food coloring or glitter to make your slime more colorful and fun.
3. Mix well.
   Stir the mixture until it forms a thick, gooey slime. You may need to adjust by adding a little more dish soap if it’s too stiff or more cornstarch if it’s too runny.
4. Knead the slime.
   Use your hands to knead the slime until it reaches a smooth, stretchy consistency.
5. Play and enjoy!

Jello Slime Recipe (Edible)

Materials:

• 1 small box of flavored Jello (or unflavored gelatin if you prefer)
• 1 cup of cornstarch
• ½ cup of warm water
• Optional: extra food coloring (if needed)

Steps:

1. Mix the Jello powder and cornstarch.
   In a bowl, combine 1 small box of Jello powder with 1 cup of cornstarch. Mix them well.
2. Add warm water.
   Slowly add about ½ cup of warm water to the mixture while stirring. You can add more water if needed, but do it gradually to prevent the mixture from becoming too runny.
3. Knead the slime.
   Once the ingredients are mixed, use your hands to knead the slime. It will start out sticky, but as you knead, it should become smoother and easier to handle. If it’s too sticky, add a little more cornstarch.
4. Add food coloring (optional).
   If you want brighter colors, you can add a few drops of food coloring at this stage and knead it into the slime.
5. Play and enjoy!
   You now have a safe, edible slime that’s fun to play with! Store it in an airtight container if you want to keep it for a couple of days, but note that this slime will degrade faster than traditional slimes.

How Does Jello Slime work?

Jello slime works through the process of gelatin gelation, where the protein in gelatin forms a network that traps water molecules, creating a jelly-like, squishy texture. When warm water is added to gelatin, the heat causes the proteins to unravel and form a network as it cools, giving the slime its gooey consistency.

Cornstarch thickens the mixture and adds a non-Newtonian quality, meaning the slime acts like both a liquid and a solid depending on how you handle it. Together, the gelatin and cornstarch create a fun, viscoelastic slime that’s safe and even edible, though it won’t be as stretchy or long-lasting as borax-based slime.

How Long does Borax Free Slime Last?

Borax-based slime tends to last longer compared to borax-free alternatives. The chemical cross-linking that happens when borax or borate ions interact with the glue’s polymers makes the slime more stable and durable over time.

Borax-free slime, like cornstarch and dish soap slime or baking soda and shaving cream slime, typically doesn’t last as long. These slimes might start to break down or dry out after a few days to a week.

• • Cornstarch-based slime (like the dish soap and cornstarch version) may dry out faster, especially if left uncovered, and might become crumbly within a few days.
  • Baking soda and contact lens solution slime might last a little longer than cornstarch-based slime, but still typically a week or so at best with proper storage.
  • Jello slime doesn’t last as long as borax-based slimes. It will start to dry out or lose its texture after about 1–2 days, especially if left uncovered. Since it’s made with food ingredients, it’s best used right away or within a day.

Factors Affecting Slime Longevity:

• Storage: To extend the life of any slime, it’s important to store it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.
• Moisture: Slimes that rely more on physical mixtures (like cornstarch and soap) tend to dry out faster, while borax-based slimes retain moisture better due to the stronger chemical bonds.

While borax-free slimes are fun and safer for younger kids, they generally don’t last as long as borax-based ones. Keeping them sealed when not in use is the best way to maximize their usefulness.

Wrap Up – Homemade Slime Without Borax

Boric acid is the key ingredient for the chemical reaction that makes traditional slime stretchy and elastic. Without it, other ingredients like baking soda or shaving cream are needed to help thicken the slime.

It’s not quite the same consistency, but the resulting texture will be different, often softer and fluffier.