Are you deep in the slime-making phase at home? Knowing how to whip up your own slime activator is a game-changer! Instead of constantly reaching for contact lens solution or borax and measuring out tiny amounts each time, you can prep your activator in advance. Plus, let’s be honest, those premade slime activators from the store can add up cost-wise.
To keep the fun of slime going without the hassle of ingredient prep every single time, I decided to see if I could make slime activator ahead of time and store it easily. And guess what? It totally works!
Simple Ways to Make Slime Activator
Yes, you absolutely can create slime activator and keep it ready for your next slime session!
Even better news? There are not one, but two fantastic methods to make slime activator for all your favorite glue-based slime recipes. And if you are looking for an even simpler option, we’ll cover a third method too!
For all of these slime activator recipes, having a condiment bottle for storage is incredibly helpful. They make dispensing the activator during slime making so much easier and cleaner. I highly recommend getting a set like this! Plus, these bottles are not just for slime; you can use them for other crafts like making puffy paint too!
Method 1: Borax Slime Activator – The Classic Choice
When it comes to slime activators, borax is often considered the tried-and-true method!
I’ve been making slime since the 90s – yes, way before it became a massive trend! My mom used to make it with my sister and me, and her go-to recipe was for “gak” (which is essentially what today’s generation calls slime). Back then, we always used borax and water to make our gak!
Many experienced slime makers you see on platforms like YouTube, Reddit, and other social media channels often rely on a borax and water activator just like this one. In my experience, borax activator tends to make slime extra stretchy and is perfect for more complex slime recipes and textures.
Another great thing about borax slime activator? It’s shelf-stable for quite a while! I’ve had my borax activator premixed for about two weeks now, and the slime we made with it recently turned out perfectly. So, it’s definitely a convenient make-ahead option for slime enthusiasts!
Just check out how amazing our last batch of borax slime was – my son was even blowing bubbles with it! That’s how stretchy it was.
Here’s what you’ll need for Borax Slime Activator:
- 1 cup of warm water
- 1 teaspoon of borax powder (laundry booster)
Instructions:
- Combine Ingredients: In a glass measuring cup, pour in the warm water and add the borax powder.
- Stir to Dissolve: Stir the mixture thoroughly until the borax is completely dissolved. You shouldn’t see any granules at the bottom of the cup.
- Transfer to Storage Bottle: Once dissolved, carefully pour the borax activator into a labeled squeeze bottle. Make sure to label it clearly as “Slime Activator” and “Do Not Eat”!
How to Use:
When you’re ready to make slime, add the borax activator gradually, one teaspoon at a time, to your slime mixture until you achieve the slime consistency you desire. Be careful not to add too much at once, as this can make your slime too stiff.
Safety Note: Borax is safe when used properly in diluted solutions for slime making. However, it’s important to handle borax powder with care and keep it out of reach of young children and pets in its concentrated form. Always supervise children when making slime and ensure they understand not to ingest any of the ingredients, especially borax powder or the activator solution.
Method 2: Contact Solution & Baking Soda Slime Activator – A Gentle Alternative
If you prefer to avoid using pure borax powder, a contact lens solution and baking soda activator is an excellent alternative.
While contact solution does contain borax-derived components (specifically boric acid), many parents feel more comfortable using contact solution and baking soda, especially when making slime with younger children. The only real drawbacks are that contact solution tends to be a bit more expensive than plain borax and water. Also, I have found that slime made with this activator can sometimes be slightly less stretchy compared to borax slime.
The key is to ensure that your contact solution contains boric acid, which is the ingredient that reacts with the glue to form slime. As long as it has boric acid, you can usually use the most affordable brand you can find. When I last checked, this brand was priced at a great value.
Baking soda is very budget-friendly, which is a bonus! I like to buy the large bags of baking soda from warehouse stores because we use it for so many things – slime making, baking, cleaning, and even freshening up carpets. If you buy in bulk, just portion out some baking soda into a smaller, labeled container for your kitchen and slime-making projects!
Here’s what you’ll need for Contact Solution & Baking Soda Slime Activator:
- ½ cup baking soda
- ¼ cup contact lens solution (containing boric acid)
Instructions:
- Combine Ingredients: In a glass measuring cup, add the baking soda, then pour in the contact lens solution.
- Mix Well: Stir the mixture thoroughly to combine the baking soda and contact solution. It will have a slightly milky appearance.
- Transfer to Storage Bottle: Pour the prepared activator into a reusable plastic squeeze bottle for easy dispensing and storage.
How to Use:
Before each use, shake the bottle of contact solution and baking soda activator well, as the baking soda can settle. I typically recommend using a ratio of about 1.5 teaspoons of this activator per ½ cup of glue in your slime recipe. Adjust as needed to get your perfect slime consistency.
Method 3: Liquid Starch Slime Activator – The Easiest Option
Stay-Flo Liquid Starch is an incredibly simple and user-friendly slime activator. While I don’t iron frequently enough to have much use for liquid starch outside of slime making, I can definitely say it creates fantastic slime! It’s also very straightforward to use, making it a great choice for beginners or younger slime makers.
The main downside of liquid starch is that it can be a bit pricier compared to borax or baking soda and contact solution.
Typically, the easiest ratio for liquid starch slime is to use equal parts of glue and liquid starch. The simple measurements and ease of use make liquid starch an excellent slime activator for group activities, like summer camps or birthday parties, where you need a no-fuss slime solution.
How to Use Liquid Starch as Slime Activator:
Simply mix equal parts of liquid glue and liquid starch. For example, if you use ½ cup of glue, use ½ cup of liquid starch. Combine them in a bowl and mix until slime forms! No need to premix or dilute the liquid starch; it’s ready to use straight from the bottle.
Storing Your Homemade Slime Activator
Regardless of which premixed activator you choose to make, it’s crucial to store it safely. Always keep your slime activator in a squeeze bottle, clearly labeled, and stored away from young children and food. I always label my bottles very clearly with “SLIME ACTIVATOR – DO NOT EAT” just to be extra safe!
I store our slime activators at room temperature. While I haven’t tested storing it in the refrigerator, room temperature storage has worked perfectly fine for us. We live in a warm climate, and our house is usually around 78-80 degrees Fahrenheit, so the activator is not kept in a cool environment, and it has still been effective.
My theory is that the potency of the activators might decrease over very long periods of storage, but this is just a guess and something I haven’t tested thoroughly. If you have any experience with mixing slime activator and storing it long-term, please share your tips in the comments below!
If you opt for using Stay-Flo liquid starch as your activator, you can simply store it in its original bottle – no need to transfer it.
Now you’re all set to have tons of fun squishing, stretching, and experimenting with all the amazing slime creations you’re going to make!
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