The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Your Slime | The best slime care tips

Sabby
Sep 2, 2023
6 min read

Updated: Sep 9, 2023

Slimey smiling next to the text "slime care" and a pink band aid cross medic symbol — The best slime care tips

Hey there, slime! Are you ready to dive into the world of slime? Whether you've just received your very first slime or have been playing with it for a while, we've got you covered with the best slime care tips to keep your slime in tip-top shape!

BEFORE OPENING YOUR SLIME

If there is visible damage to your shipping box and your slime containers, take a photo and email us. Let your slime sit right-side up to settle and reach room temperature.

PREVENT MOLD

Wash your hands before and after playing with slime with warm water and soap, then dry your hands thoroughly, and rub your hands with activator before playing with slime. Store your slime in a clean airtight container.

HOT SUMMER WARNING

Slime melts in the heat so put it in a cool place to stiffen up before adding any activator. This will help to prevent over activating your slime.

FREEZING WINTER WARNING

Slime contains water so it will freeze. Place slime in a warm area or in the window seal with sunlight to get softer. Warm running water also helps to melt the slime; place the closed container in a zip-lock bag and submerge it in warm water until it softens.

ACTIVATOR RECIPE

Mix 1/2 teaspoon of borax powder into 1 cup of warm water and add 1/8 teaspoon to your slime at a time. You can also use baking soda and water to re-activate slime that already contains borax in it.

ACTIVATE CORRECTLY

For clear and white slimes, use one drop of activator at a time and mix thoroughly until you reach your desired consistency or the consistency described for your slime; thick or thin or jiggly. It takes some practice to properly reactivate slime but you can do it! The slime should be soft, stretchy, and non-sticky.

For cloud slime, use activator sparingly! There is not as much glue to activate in these slimes. If your cloud slime is drizzling in chunks and not smoothly, it needs to be reactivated. Add one drop at a time and keep stretching it until it is consistent.

Beaded slimes need to be slightly tacky to hold in the beads. Activate these slimes lightly and use slower stretching play styles to prevent bead fallout.

OUR RE-ACTIVATOR

Use one drop of our re-activator at a time in your sticky slime, then mix thoroughly to reactivate your slime. This solution can also be used to coat your hands before playing with slime to prevent sticking.

SNOW/BEAD FALLOUT

Add more glue or wait until the slime melts a bit over time. To soften up slime you can also use lotion for opaque slime and glycerin or water for clear slimes. (Adding ingredients will change the slime texture.)

LIFETIME OF A SLIME

Our slimes will last for years if you take care of it, keep it activated, and keep your hand and surfaces clean. Avoid adding too much additional ingredients and keep the slime in a cool place,

THE BEST SLIME CARE TIPS

1. I Just Received My Slime, What Now?

So, your new slime has arrived! First things first, don't rush to open it. Let it sit at room temperature for a while, especially if it's hot or frozen outside. This will let the contents settle or rise and level out as intended. Once you've opened the container, gently touch the slime with the tip of your clean finger. Is it too sticky or runny? If it’s sticky, use a small drop of borax or baking soda solution, stretch for a few minutes, and repeat if needed.

For Cloud Cremes and Cloud Doughs, fluffing and stretching usually does the trick.

2. Storing Your Slime

To keep your slime fresh and squishy, store it in an airtight container when you're not playing with it. Make sure the lid is tightly closed to keep the air out. Slime doesn't like extreme temperatures, so avoid leaving it near heat sources or in direct sunlight. If you need to travel with your slime, consider using a cooler bag or storing it in the fridge.

3. Handling Your Slime

Before you start playing, wash your hands to prevent dirt and dust from sticking to your slime. Slime loves to be on clean surfaces, so use a smooth, non-stick table for your slimy adventures. Move your hands quickly when playing to avoid any stickiness.

4. How to Make & Use Slime Activator

Uh-oh, your slime feels too sticky? Let's make some activator (only make activator with parental supervision if needed). Use gloves when handling borax powder and solutions. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of borax powder or baking soda with 1 cup of warm water until it's fully dissolved. Now, add tiny amounts of the borax solution to your sticky slime and knead it in. Remember, less is more! You can always add more if needed, but you can't take it away once it's in. Store any leftover borax mixture in a sealed container, and please, label it clearly so no one mistakes it for drinking water! If you add too much activator, add more glue or wait some days until the slime starts to soften up.

5. Common Slime Issues & Solutions

Why is my slime runny? Slime naturally changes over time and might become runny. Add a little activator and mix it in to get the desired texture back. Use gloves when handling activators if you have sensitive skin.

Why isn't my container full or why did my slime deflate? Slime is sold by the fluid ounce, not by weight and it might settle during shipping. Slimes that are made with shaving cream, clay, and snow will naturally deflate overtime. Also, some slime might get flung out while you’re playing with it, which decreases the volume of your slime over time.

I over-activated my slime! If you accidentally over-activated your slime, just put it back in its container near a warm place, close the lid, and wait a few days for it to return to the right consistency. You can also add some PVA glue a little at a time, or add drops of glycerin or lotion and mix into the slime.

How much borax solution should I add? Mix 1/2 teaspoon of borax powder into 1 cup of warm water and add 1/8 teaspoon to your slime. Mix thoroughly before adding more. Less is always better! Use gloves when handling borax solution.

Why does my slime stink? Keep your hands and play surfaces clean before touching slime to prevent bacteria buildup. If it smells funky most likely it has developed bacteria growth. Please discard it and get some fresh slime. Some slimes contain media that encourage bacteria growth so keep your hands and surface extremely clean.

I got slime in my hair or on my carpet! Use white vinegar or citric acid solution to clean slime off surfaces and off of materials.

Beads are falling out! Usually this is because it is overactivated or had fragrance oils so add some glue to slimes with beads to bring the sticky back.

My slime has snow fallout! Some snow fallout is normal and it is recommended to play with cloud slimes on a table to catch the falling snow. If cloud slimes are overactivated they will have a lot of snowfall. Add a little glue or more water, a little at a time, to keep the snow in the slime. Be careful adding too much glue as this will turn your slime into a creamier slime called cloud creme.

6. Slime's Lifespan & Extra Tips

Slime is loads of fun, but it does have a limited lifespan. With proper care, it can last for several months, or even years! Wash your hands before and after playing to prevent germs and dirt from entering into your slime. Reactivate it frequently to keep it in top shape. Store it in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and heat.

Congratulations, you've now become a pro at caring for your slime! From receiving your new slime to troubleshooting common issues, you've learned all the essentials to enjoy hours of squishy fun. Remember to adjust your slime to your climate and always keep your hands clean to maintain your slime's squishy, smooshy goodness. Keep those hands clean, get creative, and have a blast with your amazing slime collection!