How to Make Slime Without Glue: 5 Simple DIY Recipes

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No-glue slime recipes that actually work

Co-authored by Bailey Cho Reviewed by Amy Guerrero

Last Updated: December 4, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Shampoo and Salt
|
• Blu Tack and Hand Soap
|
• Dish Soap and Cornstarch
|
• Yogurt and Cornstarch
|
• Psyllium Husk and Water
|
• Ingredients
|
• Video
|
• Q&A
|
• Tips
|
• Warnings
|
• Things You'll Need

|Show more |Show less

ARTICLE

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Stretchy. Sticky. Squishy. Slime is a fun and satisfying craft to make at home, no matter how you play with it. Most recipes call for glue or borax, but what should you do if you don’t have either? Luckily, there are several ways to make slime using other household ingredients (so you don’t have to run to the supermarket to pick up supplies). Whether you’re in the mood for fluffy or jelly slime, here’s how to whip up your own glue-free slime with just 2 ingredients.

Ingredients

Shampoo and Salt

• 0.5 cup (240 mL) of shampoo
• Table salt
• Shaving cream (optional)
• Liquid food coloring (optional)
• Glitter (optional)

Blu Tack and Hand Soap

• 1 package (75 g) of Blu Tack
• Liquid hand soap
• Liquid food coloring (optional)
• Glitter (optional)

Dish Soap and Cornstarch

• 2 tablespoons (15 g) of cornstarch
• 1.5 tablespoons (22.5 mL) of liquid dish soap
• Liquid food coloring (optional)
• Glitter (optional)

Yogurt and Cornstarch

• 1 tablespoon (15 g) of yogurt
• 3 tablespoons (22.5 g) of cornstarch
• Liquid food coloring (optional)

Psyllium Husk and Water

• 1 tablespoon (15 g) of psyllium husk
• 1 cup (240 mL) of water
• Liquid food coloring (optional)

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Shampoo and Salt

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1. 1
   Pour 0.5 cup (240 mL) of shampoo in a medium bowl. Any shampoo works, but choose one with a thicker consistency to make a fluffy slime. Look for products designed to treat dry, damaged hair or 3-in-1 formulas (with shampoo, conditioner, and body wash built in).

   • If you want to make a crystal or water-like slime, use a clear shampoo. Otherwise, select any color or scent you like.
2. 
   2
   Mix in some food coloring or glitter, if desired. To create a fun and colorful slime, add 1-2 drops of liquid food coloring into the shampoo, then stir it until it’s an even color. If you want a sparkly slime, add a pinch of glitter and combine.
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3. 
   3
   Stir in some salt to thicken the shampoo. Start by adding a pinch of salt, then stir the mixture with a spoon for 1-2 minutes. Keep adding salt and stirring until the shampoo turns into a squishy, slimy texture.

   • Since all shampoos react differently to the salt, there isn’t a specific amount to achieve the right texture. When your shampoo starts to look like a glob, stop adding salt.
4. 
   4
   Add a pump of shaving cream, if desired. If you want a fluffier texture, stir in some shaving foam or cream into the slime. Keep mixing until the shaving cream is completely combined and the slime is an even color.
5. 5
   Freeze the slime for 15 minutes. Place the bowl in the freezer to let it set, then remove it when the slime appears jelly-like (around 15-20 minutes).

   • If the slime is too sticky, stir in some more salt and put it back in the freezer for 5 minutes.
6. 6
   Play with the slime. After you remove the slime from the freezer, it’s play time! Have fun stretching and kneading the slime, and pop it back in the freezer for 15 minutes if it gets too runny.

   • Unfortunately, you can only play with this slime on the day it’s made. If you store it at room temperature, it melts, and it turns solid if you put it in the freezer for too long.
   • Throw away the slime when you’re done playing with it, and make a new batch whenever you’re looking for some fun.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Blu Tack and Hand Soap

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1. 
   1
   Stretch 1 package (4 strips) of Blu Tack in your hands. Peel the backing off the Blu Tack, then knead the product for 4-5 minutes until it’s soft and stretchy. The warmth from your hands will help speed up the process, but you can also use your knuckles to really break down the product.

   • If you don’t have Blu Tack, use any unbranded sticky tack instead.
2. 
   2
   Add one pump of liquid soap onto the Blu Tack. To prevent the soap from getting all over your workspace, flatten the Blu Tack in the palm of your hand, and pump the soap directly in the center of it.

   • If you don’t have liquid hand soap, you can use any soap that produces bubbles, such as shampoo, body wash, or liquid bubble bath.
3. 
   3
   Knead the Blu Tack and liquid soap together. If you don’t want your hands to get dirty, put on plastic gloves before kneading, and keep massaging the ingredients until they’re completely combined.
4. 4
   Add another pump of liquid soap and slowly work it in the Blu Tack. As you knead the mixture in your hands, it will become more stretchy and slime-like. If the Blu Tack feels too dry, keep adding soap until you’re happy with the consistency.
5. 
   5
   Knead in some food coloring or glitter, if desired. If you want to customize your slime, now’s the time! Place one drop of liquid food coloring in the center of the slime, then work it in your hands until it’s an even color. For a sparkly effect, add a pinch of glitter on the slime, then knead it until the glitter is evenly dispersed.

   • Remember, the food coloring combines with the existing blue color in the Blu Tack. If you want to create purple slime, add red food coloring, or add yellow food coloring to make green.
6. 6
   Play with the slime, or store it in an airtight container. Since this slime is extra stretchy, have fun squeezing it and pulling it apart. When you’re done playing with it, put it in a container with an airtight lid, then store it in a cool, dark room.

   • This slime will remain stretchy for 2-3 days, but you can always make a new batch when it dries out!
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Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Dish Soap and Cornstarch

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1. 
   1
   Squeeze 1.5 tablespoons (22 mL) of dish soap into a medium bowl. If you want to make slime for more than one person, pour in 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of dish soap and double the amount of cornstarch in the recipe.

   • You can use any colored or scented dish soap you like, but green soap creates a more traditional-looking slime.
   • Alternatively, replace the dish soap with shampoo to make a fluffy slime.
2. 
   2
   Stir in some food coloring or glitter, if desired. If your dish soap is clear, add 1-2 drops of liquid food coloring to create a unique and colorful slime. For a sparkly slime, add in a pinch of glitter, then combine everything together with a spoon.

   • If you add too much food coloring or glitter, pour in 1.5 tablespoons (22 mL) of dish soap to dilute the color/sparkle (and double the amount of cornstarch).
3. 
   3
   Add 2 tablespoons (15 g) of cornstarch into the bowl of dish soap. Remember to add more cornstarch if you doubled or tripled the amount of dish soap. For every 1.5 tablespoons (22 mL) of dish soap, add 2 tablespoons (15 g) of cornstarch.

   • If you can’t find cornstarch, add the same amount of cornflour to make a stretchy slime.
4. 
   4
   Stir everything together for about 10 seconds. As you combine the dish soap and cornstarch, the mixture thickens and turns into slime!
5. 
   5
   Finish kneading the slime by hand. Once the ingredients start to clump, stop stirring the mixture and start squishing it with your hands. Use your palm and knuckles to work the slime like bread dough, and keep kneading until you achieve your desired consistency.

   • If you added food coloring to your slime, wear plastic gloves to prevent staining your hands.
   • Sprinkle in more cornstarch if your slime is too runny, or add more dish soap if it’s too thick.
6. 6
   Play with the slime. Now, you can play with your slime! Squish, squeeze, and stretch your slime, and add a few more drops of dish soap if it gets too crumbly.

   • Unfortunately, this slime doesn’t store well, so use it on the day it’s made, then throw it out when you’re done playing with it.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Yogurt and Cornstarch

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1. 1
   Scoop 1 tablespoon (15 g) of yogurt into a medium bowl. Choose a yogurt that doesn't have any chunks of fruit in it. Plain, unsweetened yogurt works best for this recipe, but you can use any consistency you like.

   • Use regular full-fat yogurt to make a traditional putty slime, or use a thicker greek yogurt for a fluffier texture.
2. 
   2
   Stir in some food coloring, if desired. To give your slime a unique color, add 1-2 drops of liquid food coloring to the yogurt. Stir everything together until it’s evenly combined and the yogurt is an even color.

   • You can use a spoon, spatula, or craft stick for stirring.
3. 
   3
   Add 3 tablespoons (22.5 g) of cornstarch into the bowl of yogurt. Mix the slime until all the lumps of cornstarch are gone. The cornstarch will cause the yogurt to thicken up and turn into slime! If you used more yogurt, you will need to use 3 times the amount of cornstarch.

   • Alternatively, add cornflour if you can't find cornstarch.
4. 
   4
   Knead the slime until it reaches your preferred consistency. Once the ingredients start to leave the sides of the bowl, stop stirring and start kneading the mixture by hand. Use your fingers to squeeze and squish the slime, until it reaches your desired texture.

   • If the mixture is too sticky, sprinkle in more cornstarch. If it’s too dry, add a dollop of yogurt.
5. 5
   Play with the slime, or store it in an airtight container. Now's the fun part! Poke, stretch, or form the slime into your favorite shapes. When you’re done playing with it, put it in a container with an airtight lid, then store it in the fridge.

   • Yogurt slime will stay stretchy for 2-3 days with regular play, but you can always toss it out and make a new batch when it melts!
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Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Psyllium Husk and Water

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1. 
   1
   Add 1 tablespoon (15 g) of psyllium husk and 1 cup (240 mL) of water in a bowl. Combine the ingredients in a medium microwave-safe bowl, and stir until the psyllium husk is completely dissolved. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.

   • As the psyllium husk soaks in the water, it will start to thicken up.
   • You can find psyllium husk in a health food store or the health section of your grocery store.
2. 
   2
   Add some food coloring, if desired. To create a fun colored slime, add 2-3 drops of liquid food coloring to the mixture, then stir until it’s evenly combined and there aren’t any streaks of color.

   • Since the mixture will be heated later on, do not add any glitter to this slime—it can catch fire in the microwave.
3. 3
   Place the bowl in the microwave and cook on high for 5 minutes. Check on the mixture frequently to make sure it doesn’t overflow. If it starts to bubble over, pause the microwave, and let it "deflate." When the mixture is level again, continue heating it for the remaining time.
4. 
   4
   Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir. After the time is up, carefully take the mixture out of the microwave and stir it with a metal spoon. If the mixture is too runny, place it back in the microwave for another minute, then take it out and stir. Keep repeating this until the mixture thickens up.

   • Do not touch the slime with your hands while it’s hot—you might burn yourself!
   • If the liquid isn’t thickening up as you like, stir in 0.5 tablespoon (7.5 g) of psyllium husk before your next round of microwaving.
5. 5
   Let the slime cool in the microwave for 15-20 minutes. After this time, the slime will be cool and safe to touch. In all likelihood, the texture will be gooey but a little chunky, too.
6. 6
   Play with the slime, or store it in an airtight container. At this point, your slime is ready to be played with! Add some charms to create a custom slime, or have fun stretching it. When you’re done playing with the slime, put it in a container with an airtight lid, then store it in the fridge.

   • Psyllium husk slime lasts 1 week with daily play, but you can always toss it out and make a new batch if you want to keep playing with it!
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  How can I make slime without glue, cornstarch, starch or borax?

  

  Community Answer

  Toothpaste and dish soap, or toothpaste and shampoo. The toothpaste must be thick, and any brand of dish soap or shampoo will work.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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  Not Helpful 330 Helpful 804
• Question

  What happens if I add shaving cream to the cornstarch slime?

  

  Community Answer

  The slime will become a fluffy slime, which means the slime will have more volume.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 144 Helpful 320
• Question

  What can I use to make stretchy slime with no glue?

  

  Kh3347

  Community Answer

  Don't use lotion. A good ingredient to use is toothpaste. It can help with color and stretchiness.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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Tips

• In some slimes, you can use contact solution for your activator.
  Thanks

  Helpful 16 Not Helpful 8
• If you want to make your slime stickier, add some warm water and continue to knead it with your hands.
  Thanks

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Warnings

• To prevent stains on your carpet and furniture, keep your slime in an airtight container when you are not playing with it.
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Things You’ll Need

• Medium bowl
• Spoon
• Airtight container