Slime Care 101
Tips for beginners
- Wash your hands before playing with slime
- Keep slime away from clothing, furniture, flooring/carpet, pets, small children, etc.
- Play with slime on a clean, hard surface
- Store slime in its container and a with a tightly sealed lid so it does not dry out. Store in a cool, dark place
- Keep some activator on hands when playing with slime, especially if you plan to inflate it. Tackiness when inflated is normal.
What is activator?
Simply put, activator is a solution used to make slime less sticky. It is a liquid solution of borax diluted water.
Over time, every slime starts to become sticky again or reverts back to its original glue-like state. Activator fixes this by creating a chemical reaction in the slime to make it more gooey but less sticky.
Activator Recipe
Ingredients
1 tsp borax
1 cup of warm water
Instructions
1. Add borax to warm water
2. Mix borax until it is completely dissolved
Using activator to fix slime
1. Add 1 to 1/2 tsp of activator to your slime at a time or lightly dip your slime into the activator solution
2. Knead & fold solution into slime. Repeat steps 3-4 if slime is still sticky
3. Store your activator in a labeled container for future use
Slime fixes
Slime can be sticky for a couple of reasons: warm climate or it is under-activated.
Fixing sticky slime is simple and all you need to do to restore it back to your desired consistency is add a small amount of activator to your slime and knead thoroughly to mix it in.
If it is still sticky, add a tiny amount of activator again then knead and fold to incorporate it fully.
Some slimes are are not meant to be holdable and are naturally more sticky. These slimes are best played with on a hard surface.
Slime can be sticky for a couple of reasons: warm climate or it is under-activated.
Fixing sticky slime is simple and all you need to do to restore it back to your desired consistency is add a small amount of activator to your slime and knead thoroughly to mix it in.
If it is still sticky, add a tiny amount of activator again then knead and fold to incorporate it fully.
Some slimes are are not meant to be holdable and are naturally more sticky. These slimes are best played with on a hard surface.
If your slime is hard it may need to be warmed up. You can warm up slime by playing with it in your hands or by placing it on a windowsill with some sun for a few minutes.
For slimes that are opaque, a small amount of unscented lotion can help the slime soften up.
For clear slimes, leaving in a warm place for a day or so works best but it if is still stiff add a tiny amount of glycerin to your slime and kneed it thoroughly to incorporate.
If your slime is hard it may need to be warmed up. You can warm up slime by playing with it in your hands or by placing it on a windowsill with some sun for a few minutes.
For slimes that are opaque, a small amount of unscented lotion can help the slime soften up.
For clear slimes, leaving in a warm place for a day or so works best but it if is still stiff add a tiny amount of glycerin to your slime and kneed it thoroughly to incorporate.
Fixing over-activated slime can be fixed by leaving your slime in a warm place for a few days to soften up.
You can also add a small amount of clear glue to your clear slimes or white glue to your opaque slimes to help.
Glycerin can also help over-activated slime become soft and stretchy. Put a tiny amount of it in your slime and kneed and mix in well.
Fixing over-activated slime can be fixed by leaving your slime in a warm place for a few days to soften up.
You can also add a small amount of clear glue to your clear slimes or white glue to your opaque slimes to help.
Glycerin can also help over-activated slime become soft and stretchy. Put a tiny amount of it in your slime and kneed and mix in well.
Using your slime
Like all good things in life, slimes have a limited life-span but if they are well-taken care of they can last a long time.
- Always play with clean hands. Wash your hands before you handle slime. Dirty hands result with the slime leaving a residue on your hands.
- Limit play time to 10-15 minutes a day. This helps prevent the slime from drying out too quickly.
- Make sure to always your slime containers are tightly sealed. Air causes slime to dry out.
- Store your slime in a cool and dark place away from light.
- Reactivate your slime on a regular basis with activator.
More slime questions answered
Inflating slime is done by trapping as much air into the slime as you can. Some slimes are easier to inflate than others. The best way to inflate slime is to stretch it over itself without popping the air bubbles you are creating. Stretch the slime over itself several times without popping the air bubbles and you have inflated your slime.
Inflating slime is done by trapping as much air into the slime as you can. Some slimes are easier to inflate than others. The best way to inflate slime is to stretch it over itself without popping the air bubbles you are creating. Stretch the slime over itself several times without popping the air bubbles and you have inflated your slime.
Here you can place an explanation or answer to the question.
Here you can place an explanation or answer to the question.
Inflation of your slime is completely normal and can even be a good thing, as it means you have more slime to play with—yay! However, it can be frustrating when your slime no longer fits in its original container.
To deflate your slime, try to squeeze out as much air as possible, then place the slime back into its jar. If the lid doesn’t close, simply place it on top without screwing it on.
After a few minutes, as the slime settles, remove any excess slime and put it in a Ziploc bag, making sure to squeeze out all the air. Screw on the lid tightly on your slime container.
After a couple of days, the slime in the Ziploc bag should deflate completely, and you can combine it back into its original container with the rest of the slime.
Inflation of your slime is completely normal and can even be a good thing, as it means you have more slime to play with—yay! However, it can be frustrating when your slime no longer fits in its original container.
To deflate your slime, try to squeeze out as much air as possible, then place the slime back into its jar. If the lid doesn’t close, simply place it on top without screwing it on.
After a few minutes, as the slime settles, remove any excess slime and put it in a Ziploc bag, making sure to squeeze out all the air. Screw on the lid tightly on your slime container.
After a couple of days, the slime in the Ziploc bag should deflate completely, and you can combine it back into its original container with the rest of the slime.
The lifespan of slime can vary depending on the type, lasting anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
How you care for it plays a significant role in how long it lasts. Since slime is made from glue, it will eventually dry out if exposed to air.
To prolong its life, keep your slime tightly sealed in its original container.
Playing with your slime for only 10-15 minutes a day, with clean hands and on clean surfaces, will also help it last longer.
The lifespan of slime can vary depending on the type, lasting anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
How you care for it plays a significant role in how long it lasts. Since slime is made from glue, it will eventually dry out if exposed to air.
To prolong its life, keep your slime tightly sealed in its original container.
Playing with your slime for only 10-15 minutes a day, with clean hands and on clean surfaces, will also help it last longer.
Clear slimes can become cloudy over time due to play. The oils and skin cells from your hands can cause this cloudiness.
To help maintain the clarity of your slime, always play with clean hands. If your hands are dry, you can apply a small amount of lotion to soften them before playing.
Clear slimes can become cloudy over time due to play. The oils and skin cells from your hands can cause this cloudiness.
To help maintain the clarity of your slime, always play with clean hands. If your hands are dry, you can apply a small amount of lotion to soften them before playing.