Using sodium tetraborate at home in slime

Many parents became familiar with the glycerin solution of sodium tetraborate when creating a popular children's toy - slime. What kind of solution is this, what is its direct purpose and why is it needed in slimes.

What is sodium tetraborate

Sodium tetraborate (borax) is a compound of inorganic origin. The chemical formula of the compound is Na2B4O7. It has two common forms of release: sodium salt and glycerin solution. Sodium salt is used in light industry, and glycerin solution is used in pharmacology.

Main characteristics of sodium tetraborate:

• Release form. A 20% solution of boron in glycerin is usually released in 30 g vials.
• Terms of sale. Sold in pharmacies, without a prescription. There are cases when a pharmacist refuses to sell to a child, in which case the drug must be purchased by an adult.
• Storage conditions. The solution should be stored in a dark place in the original packaging at an air temperature of up to +25 degrees, out of the reach of children.
• The shelf life of the drug is 2 years in the original packaging. After the expiration date, the solution cannot be used.

Why is it used in making slimes?

Sodium tetraborate is used to treat skin diseases, but young technicians began to use it in the production of slimes. What is sodium tetraborate used for in slimes? Borax gives the toy the necessary consistency, provides it with elasticity when struck and softness when pressed with fingers.

In the finished toy, sodium tetraborate makes up about 2% of the composition. If you do not follow the recipe, the slime will not work: it will either be too liquid or will clump together. You need to pour borax in drops (you can use a pipette), constantly kneading until the product stops sticking to your hands.

Slime Recipes Using Sodium Tetraborate

You can find a large number of recipes on the Internet using sodium tetraborate to make slimes. The most successful of them are presented below:

• From PVA glue and tetraborate. Ingredients: PVA glue - 100 ml, tetraborate - 1 tsp.
• With shaving foam. Ingredients: PVA glue – 80 ml, foam – 20 ml, sodium tetraborate – 1 tsp, shower gel – 20 ml, food coloring and aromatic oil – a few drops each.
• Transparent with stationery glue. Ingredients: stationery glue – 100 ml, tetraborate – 0.5 tbsp, boiling water – 200 ml, water at room temperature – 2 tbsp, glitter and fragrance – optional.
• With toothpaste. Stationery glue – 90 ml, toothpaste – 1 tsp, shaving gel – 2 tsp, borax – 1 tsp, food coloring – a few drops.

How to do it right: step-by-step instructions

To make any slime, regardless of the ingredients, you will need a mixing container and a spoon. Below are step-by-step instructions for creating several types of slime.

How to Make Slime with Glue and Sodium Tetraborate

Slime made from two components is made very simply: glue is poured into a container, then borax is added. As a result of thorough mixing, a white slime comes out. This recipe is basic, you can experiment with it, adding dyes for color and flavors for smell, as well as glitter, foam and other decor.

Slime from shaving foam

To prepare such a slime, you need to do the following:

1. Pour PVA glue and shaving foam into a container, add shower gel and mix everything.
2. Add coloring and flavoring to the mixture, then mix everything again until smooth.
3. Gradually add sodium tetraborate to the mixture, constantly stirring the slime with a spoon. When it becomes difficult to stir with a spoon, the mixture should be kneaded with your hands.

Clear Slime with Stationery Glue

Instructions for making:

1. Gradually pour borax into a container with hot water, stirring constantly until smooth.
2. In a separate container, mix the glue with one tablespoon of water at room temperature.
3. Add glitter to the container with glue and stir again.
4. Gradually, using a tablespoon, add the borax solution with water and mix thoroughly. When the mixture becomes too thick, continue mixing with your hands.
5. If the slime becomes too hard after mixing, add more office glue. If the mixture sticks to your hands, add sodium tetraborate.

Slime with toothpaste

Sequence of actions:

1. Pour some office glue into a clean bowl, add a few drops of dye and stir until you get a uniform color.
2. Add toothpaste to the glue and stir.
3. The next step is to add shaving gel and mix everything together.
4. Gradually pour tetraborate into the resulting mixture, stirring constantly until the mixture stops sticking to your hands.

What can replace borax if necessary?

Sodium tetraborate is a dangerous component for children, it can cause allergic reactions and you need to be careful with it. Therefore, more harmless improvised means can be used as a thickener for slimes.

Slime thickeners that can be found in any kitchen:

• soda;
• potato starch;
• flour.

To prepare slimes with such components, you need to take 100 ml of water and PVA glue, as well as 100 ml of the selected thickener (flour, soda or starch). If the mixture is too liquid, the amount of activator should be increased.

What to do if slime doesn't thicken

If the slime does not work out, this may be due to the following factors:

1. Insufficient mixing. The slime should not only be mixed with a spoon, but also thoroughly kneaded by hand. If the toy is too liquid, you should try to thoroughly knead it by hand again. The approximate mixing time is at least five minutes.
2. Not enough thickener. If after additional mixing the slime still does not acquire the desired consistency, you need to add more activator.
3. Bad glue. Always pay attention to the expiration date of the glue, as expired product does not react with sodium tetraborate.
4. Lots of liquid. When making slime with water or shampoo, you should keep the proportions: the liquid component should not exceed half the mass of the finished toy.

To get the right consistency, you should try all the options: mix thoroughly with your hands, add a thickener or glue, put the toy in the refrigerator for an hour. If after all these manipulations the toy does not acquire the necessary consistency, you should replace the glue.

Features of toy storage

Slime without packaging dries quickly, so it should be stored in an airtight container with a closed lid. This will protect the toy from weathering and ensure its long service life.

As for the storage place, you need to choose a dark, dry and cool place. The refrigerator door is best for this. Storing in the freezer is unacceptable: after defrosting, the toy will lose its ductility.

The slime also does not like moisture, so it should be stored in a dry place. As for the store-bought toy, it should be stored in its original packaging.

Sodium tetraborate is not only a drug used in medical practice, but also the main ingredient for creating slimes. When working with borax, you must adhere to safety rules, as well as the recipe for creating slime. You should also store the product correctly so that it can serve for a long time and please children.