You can make slime without glue using ingredients you probably already have at home: cornstarch and dish soap, shampoo and salt, or even psyllium husk fiber powder and water. Each method produces a slightly different texture, and none require the white school glue or borax found in traditional recipes. Here are the most reliable options, with exact measurements.
Cornstarch and Dish Soap Slime
This is the easiest and most forgiving method. You need half a cup of cornstarch and one-third cup of liquid dish soap. Add the dish soap to the cornstarch gradually and mix with your hands or a spoon for about five minutes. The result lands somewhere between playdough and traditional glue-based slime: moldable, slightly stretchy, and satisfying to squish.
If your mixture feels too sticky, sprinkle in a little more cornstarch. If it’s crumbly and won’t hold together, add two or three more drops of dish soap. The ratio is flexible, so adjust until it feels right. Any brand of liquid dish soap works, though thicker formulas tend to produce a smoother result. This slime dries out faster than glue-based versions, so expect it to last a day or two of play rather than a week.
Psyllium Husk Slime
If you have psyllium husk powder (sold as a fiber supplement in most grocery stores), you can make a surprisingly stretchy, gel-like slime. Put 3 tablespoons of psyllium husk into a microwave-safe bowl and add 400 ml of water, which is roughly one and two-thirds cups. Microwave the mixture for up to 5 minutes, but stop every minute to stir and check the consistency. Once it looks thick and gel-like, take it out.
The slime will be very hot, so let it cool for a full hour before anyone touches it. Once cooled, it has a jelly-like stretch that feels completely different from cornstarch slime. You can add a few drops of food coloring to the water before microwaving for a more vibrant result. Because the ingredients are food-safe, this is one of the better options for younger kids who might put things in their mouths, though it’s not meant to be eaten as a snack.
Shampoo and Salt Slime
This method requires shampoo, a squirt of dish soap, and a pinch of salt. Squeeze a generous amount of shampoo into a bowl, add a similar amount of dish soap, then stir in salt. The salt acts as a thickener, pulling water out of the shampoo and changing its consistency. Mix everything together thoroughly, then place the bowl in the freezer for 20 minutes.
When you pull it out, the mixture will have firmed up into something you can stretch and fold. It won’t be as elastic as glue-based slime, and it tends to soften quickly as it warms up in your hands. Thicker shampoos work better than watery ones. This is the fastest method on the list, but it also produces the least durable slime. It’s best treated as a quick, fun experiment rather than something you’ll store and play with over several days.
How Long Glue-Free Slime Lasts
Glue-free slimes have a shorter shelf life than traditional versions. Cornstarch-based slime dries out within a day or two. Psyllium husk slime holds up a bit longer, sometimes three to four days, if stored properly. Shampoo slime softens and separates fastest of all.
To get the most life out of any batch, store it in an airtight container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. A zip-lock bag with the air pressed out works fine. If the slime starts to feel dry, you can knead in a few drops of water to revive it temporarily, but eventually all glue-free recipes break down. Making small batches you’ll use in one sitting is the most practical approach.
Safety for Young Kids
One of the biggest advantages of skipping glue is that you also skip borax, the chemical activator in most traditional slime recipes. Borax can cause skin redness and irritation, especially with repeated exposure or if a child has broken skin, eczema, or cuts on their hands. The Missouri Poison Center notes that the most dramatic reaction to too much borax contact is a “boiled lobster” rash, where red skin peels off the palms and soles.
Starch-based recipes are safer overall than borax-containing ones. For toddlers or children who are likely to taste the slime, stick with edible-safe options like psyllium husk and water or plain cornstarch mixed with water (the classic “oobleck”). Dish soap slime is fine for older kids who won’t eat it, but it can irritate eyes, so hand-washing after play is a good habit. Avoid adding glitter or small beads for children under three, since those become a choking risk.
Cleaning Up Spills
Glue-free slime is generally easier to clean than traditional slime, but it can still leave residue on fabric and carpet. For cornstarch-based messes, let the slime dry completely first. Dried cornstarch brushes or vacuums off surfaces much more easily than wet cornstarch, which smears.
If slime gets ground into carpet or clothing, mix two parts white vinegar to one part water in a spray bottle and mist the area lightly. Let it sit for a few minutes, then blot with a clean cloth. For stubborn spots, dab a small amount of rubbing alcohol (70% or higher) onto the residue, wait a few minutes, and wipe clean. A half-and-half mixture of warm water and hydrogen peroxide also works, though test it on a hidden spot first to make sure it won’t lighten the fabric color. The key with any method is to blot rather than scrub, which just pushes the residue deeper into the fibers.