Activator solution is made by mixing borax and water together. It is the key ingredient used to convert liquid glue into solid, stretchy slime.
The role of activator goes beyond just making slime. This is because any slime will naturally melt and become more sticky over time, especially with repeated play and in warmer temperatures. This makes using activator a key part of the slime-play experience, as it will help maintain your slime texture and make it less sticky.
The amount of activator used is entirely based on preference, and certain textures (such as clear slimes) will require more frequent reactivation than others (such as icee and cloud slimes). We recommend having your activator solution ready before playing with your slime in case it is needed.
Slime Care
Slime Care Guide
Your slime may require some care and attention from time to time, and certain slime textures may be more high-maintenance than others. Follow our care & texture guide below to enhance your playing experience, and extend the shelf life of your slime.
General Tips
- Slime is NOT edible. Do not ingest slime or any of the additional accessories that come with it.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling slime.
- To prevent the slime from sticking to your hands, handle it quickly.
- When not in use, slime should always be stored in a tightly sealed container or ziplock bag to prevent it from drying out. We also recommend removing any large charms that may have come with the slime before storing, as this will help maintain the condition of both the charms and the slime. Please note that slime will dry out if not stored properly, and this can irreversibly ruin its texture.
- If slime sticks to clothing, hair, or furniture, remove by spraying affected areas with vinegar (may be diluted with water). The vinegar will melt the slime, and the affected areas can then be washed normally.
- Many slime textures inflate and get larger in size as you play with them. When this happens, not all of the slime will fit back into its original container. Simply place any excess slime in a clean, airtight container or ziplock bag. The slime will deflate and go back to its original size in a few days.
- Slime naturally melts and becomes more sticky over time, especially with repeated play and in warmer temperatures. This does not mean your slime has gone bad! Just follow the instructions under “Sticky Slime” to bring it back to its original texture.
How to Make Activator
1 Tsp Borax + 1 Cup (8 oz) Warm Water = Slime Activator
Tips:
~ Do not add borax powder directly to slime.
~ Stir the mixture well until the borax is completely dissolved.
~ Make the activator before playing with slime and let it cool completely before using.
~ Store activator in a clean jar or bottle for future use.
Slime TLC
Add ¼ tsp of activator at a time and knead. Repeat until your desired texture is reached. Go slow to ensure your slime does not become too stiff.
- Adding too much activator to your slime will cause it to become hard, crumbly, rubbery, and/or difficult to stretch. The best fix for over-activated or stiff slime is to wait, as slime naturally melts and softens over time.
- Slime may also harden/stiffen due to cold weather. We recommend letting it sit at room temperature to warm up. Handling and stretching the slime slowly, along with the warmth from your hands, may also help soften the slime.
- For over-activated slime, we recommend doing the following based on your slime texture:
- If your slime is white glue-based: Add ¼ tsp of glycerin or lotion at a time and knead (it may get a little messy). Repeat until your desired texture is reached.
- If your slime is clear glue-based: Add ¼ tsp of glycerin at a time and knead (it may get a little messy). Repeat until your desired texture is reached. DO NOT USE LOTION as it will cause your clear slimes to cloud (lose their transparency).
- Always knead thoroughly and go slow when adding glycerin or lotion to your slime, as adding an excessive amount can alter the texture of your slime.
- For slimes with high add-in ratios (eg. crunch bombs) we do not recommend adding any glycerin or lotion as this will increase the risk of fallout. Instead, it is best to leave the slime for a few days to soften.
About your Slime
Expertise levels are a rating system we use to describe our slime textures. They reflect the amount of skill needed to handle the slime without it sticking to your hands. There are Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels. More skill & experience are needed the higher the expertise level, as these slimes tend to be more tacky and challenging to handle if slime is new to you.
If slime is new to you, we recommend trying Beginner level slimes. These textures are less likely to feel sticky or difficult to handle if you are not used to playing with slime. However, this does not mean you cannot try intermediate or advanced level slimes as a beginner! It just means that it may require a bit of practice before you can enjoy more advanced textures with ease. Aside from practice and experience, watching tutorials & slime reviews can be incredibly helpful when it comes to learning about different slime textures and how to handle them!
We also recommend beginner level slimes if you tend to have hot and sweaty hands or very dry skin. This is because warm hands can cause slime to melt and feel sticky as it is being played with. The excess moisture from sweaty hands can also cause slime to feel sticky and leave a residue on the hands. Please note that if you have very dry skin, slime may cling to dry patches on your hands (especially knuckles & in between fingers).
Certain slime textures may include add-ins that can feel abrasive to sensitive hands. We will always include a disclaimer in the product description in these cases!
Slime can be a wonderful toy and sensory tool for children. Although there is no age limit for slime, it is most suitable for ages 4 & up. To help decide whether slime is right for your child, it is important to consider that slime cannot be ingested, and may come with small accessories that could pose a choking hazard to young children. Slime can become sticky and messy, may require re-activation, and will dry out if not stored properly in its container. Young children should always be supervised while playing with slime. We recommend “beginner level” textures for younger children as they require less maintenance, and are less likely to stick to hands, hair, clothing, and furniture.
During the activation process, a “coating” solution is added to reduce the tackiness of the slime. Coated slimes feel less sticky and are easier to handle than non-coated slimes.
Many slime textures grow in size and “inflate” as you play with them. This happens when air is trapped in the slime as it is being stretched repeatedly. Slimes that include clay, instant snow, or a high volume of add-ins can inflate significantly. While inflating your slime can transform and enhance its texture, certain slime textures also naturally become tackier or have fallout when they are inflated (clear slimes, crunch bombs, jelly slimes).
If your inflated slime does not fit back into its original container, place any excess in a clean, airtight container or ziplock bag. The slime will return to its original size within a few days.
Slime FAQ
If slime sticks to hair, clothing, or other fabric surfaces (like furniture), follow these steps to clean the affected area:
- Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar. You can optionally add some water to dilute the solution.
- Spray the affected areas with the vinegar solution. If you do not have a spray bottle, dip a clean cloth or sponge into the vinegar solution and gently dab the affected area.
- Allow the vinegar solution to sit on the slime for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. The vinegar will melt the slime.
- Use a cloth or sponge to scrub the slime gently. If necessary, reapply the vinegar solution and continue scrubbing until the slime is removed.
- Once the slime is removed, rinse the area with clean water to eliminate any residual vinegar. If you are cleaning slime off of clothes it may be easier to throw them in the wash at this point.
Slimes with add-ins may experience fallout during play. One of the biggest reasons for fallout is over-activated slime, as the slime is too hard to properly contain the add-ins. Ripping your slime or playing with it aggressively can also cause fallout. We always recommend “warming up” your slime by stretching and folding it slowly until it loosens up to avoid ripping and fallout. Your slime may also have fallout if you have over-inflated it during play, as this creates air bubbles in the slime that are too delicate to hold the add-ins.
Fallout may be a sign that your slime is drying out and nearing the end of its shelf life. It is normal for all slimes to eventually dry out as they are exposed to air, but slimes with a large amount of clay, or a high ratio of add-ins, may dry out faster.
Although we try to avoid fallout in our slimes, it can be inherent to some textures – especially coated textures. We will note this in the product description if fallout occurs. For slimes with fallout, playing slowly and over a table/tray/bowl can help minimize any mess or loss of add-ins.
Tackiness in slime means that the slime texture inherently has a tendency to cling to your hands, even when it is activated properly. Tackiness often occurs in intermediate or advanced slime textures, or when slime is inflated. Tackier slimes must be handled quickly, and can require more skill and experience to prevent sticking to hands.
Stickiness in slime means that the slime itself has likely melted, and needs to be reactivated to restore its original texture.
It is completely normal for clear and pigmented slimes to turn foggy during play, especially when they are inflated. This is because the trapped air bubbles change the slime’s appearance and cause it to turn foggy/opaque or change in color. Leaving your slime to settle in an airtight container for a few days will allow the air bubbles to clear, and the slime will return to its original appearance and texture.
It is important to note that clear slime bases are very delicate and unforgiving when it comes to showing imperfections. They may lose clarity over time due to the natural oils on your hands and/or surfaces they are in contact with. Always make sure to wash your hands and surfaces before handling clear slime, or in between playing with other slimes, to preserve clarity.
Many slime textures inflate and get larger in size as you play with them.This happens when air is trapped in the slime as it is being stretched repeatedly. When this happens, not all of the slime will fit back into its original container. We recommend placing any excess slime in a clean, airtight container or ziplock bag, and the slime will go back to its original size after a few days.
When slime textures with a large volume of add-ins are not played with for a long period of time, the add-ins may settle in the container and “separate” from the base. This can also happen in butter/slay slimes, where the clay separates from the slime base. This does not mean your slime has gone bad, and all you have to do is mix the add-ins and base together. If your slime has been sitting for a long period of time, it may be melted/sticky and you may need to use activator during this process.
As the main ingredient in all slimes is glue, slime eventually dries out over time and “dies”. However, slime can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the texture, and how it is played with & taken care of.
To maximize your slime’s shelf life, proper care always starts with ensuring hands & surfaces are clean before handling your slime. It is also important to limit excessive exposure to air. This means only playing with your slime for up to 15 minutes a day, and always keeping it in a sealed, airtight container or ziplock bag when not in use. If slime is left out of its container for several hours, it may dry out beyond repair. Additionally, storing your slime in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight can help extend its longevity. Slimes with a large amount of clay, or a high ratio of add-ins, may naturally dry out faster than other textures.
Your slime may have “died” if:
- It is old and has been played with frequently
- It has decreased in size and feels dry
- It is hard/dense and rips when stretched
- It can no longer hold add-ins and is experiencing fallout
- It is melted and sticky but does not improve with activator
- It properties - such as its ability to inflate, stretch, drizzle, or make bubble pops - have been altered
- It scent has faded or changed