Why slime shrinks: what to do and how to restore size

How to soften slime?

If you have not decided how to save the slime, if it has dried up, use wet ingredients: water and salt (table salt keeps the liquid in the toy), cosmetic lotions, glue, toothpaste, shaving foam, antibacterial gel.

Slime softens when heated. When wondering what to do when your slime is dry, try heating.

Slime softening methods:

1. Water and salt. This method, how to fix dried slime, is also suitable for store slime. Add 2-3 pinches of salt to 100 ml of water. Place the handgam in saline and refrigerate for 6-12 hours. The toy will be saturated with moisture and grow. To consolidate the effect, inject water and salt into the slime using a syringe with a needle. Take 5 ml of the solution and slowly release it into the slime. If the handgam turns out to be liquid, add a couple of drops of sodium tetraborate or 0.5 tsp. boric acid.
2. Glue. When you have not decided how to dilute the slime, if it is dry, use PVA for matte slimes or clerical (silicate) glue for transparent ones. The substances have a liquid texture and will help revitalize the handgums. The method is more suitable for homemade PVA slime or silicate glue. If you don't know what to do with dried slime, add 2 tsp to it. glue and knead the hand gum. When the slime sticks after fixing, sodium tetraborate will be needed to thicken. If borax is not available, use starch. It is used as a thickener and does an excellent job.
3. Antibacterial gel. If you haven't figured out what to do if your slime is dry, a sanitizer (gel with antibacterial properties) will do. Add 2-3 g of antiseptic to the hand gum. To do this, put a sanitizer in a container and put a slime in the dish. Stir with your hands until the slime is elastic. This method, what to do if the slime dries, is suitable for a handgam made with dish detergents, shampoo or liquid soap. You can use these ingredients instead of an antibacterial gel. The advantage of the sanitizer is that the toy is additionally disinfected.
4. Shaving foam. Shaving foam moisturizes the slime, the size of the slime grows, the toy gains elasticity. Put the slime in a bowl and squeeze 1-2 tbsp from the bottle. l. foam. Stir, knead the handgam with your hands. Slime comes out airy, soft, elastic. If the toy sticks to your hands, add 1-2 tsp. water. Do not overdo it with moisture: the slime will soften and spread from excess liquid.
5. Cosmetic oil or lotion. Used in cosmetics to improve skin condition, these products moisturize slimes well. Oils and lotions are water-based, non-greasy and will not stain your hands. If the slime is dry, the containers with cosmetics on the dressing table will tell you what to do. 1-2 tsp Pour lotion or oil into a bowl. Put the slime in the liquid and stir. Knead the handgam with your hands. This method, what to do if your slime is dry, is suitable for slimes made from sodium tetraborate.
6. Toothpaste with baby cream. If the slime is dry, hygiene products will tell you what to do. Choose a liquid textured toothpaste and cream. Make sure they are not greasy and sticky. Lay out 1 tsp each. of each product in a bowl and add slime to the mixture. Knead the slime first with a spoon, then with your hands. Sometimes, after baby cream, the handgam becomes sticky. Add 2-3 drops of sodium tetraborate. Knead the slime until the cream and paste are absorbed. The method to do if the slime is dry is good for homemade hand gum.
7. The heating. An effective way of what to do if the slime is dry is to heat the slime under running hot water, in boiling water or in the microwave.If using water, turn on the hot tap and place the slime under the stream for 2-3 minutes. The toy will soften, be saturated with moisture and gain elasticity. To heat the handgam, you can also pour hot water into a bowl and put a slime in it, hold it for 3-4 minutes, take it out and knead it with your hands. If your hand gum sticks, add starch or sodium tetraborate. To heat the slime in the microwave, place it on a plate and place it in the oven for 30-40 seconds. Use an oven instead of a microwave, but don't overdo it.

Where to store the slime

It is best to store your stress reliever in a cool place, such as in the refrigerator or on the balcony, but not in the freezer. At subzero temperatures, the antistress will be covered with ice, and even after defrosting it will not be possible to restore it.

Harmful to slimes and excessive moisture. If the antistress gets moldy, you just have to throw it away.

Use an airtight container. This may be the packaging in which the slime was sold, but if the anti-stress is homemade, any other jar with a tight-fitting lid will do.

If, for some reason, the slime still began to deteriorate, do not rush to get upset and throw the toy away. Some "breakdowns" are quite realistic to eliminate at home (more information on how to restore the slime).

Tears. Perhaps you added too much tetraborate, or the slime for some other reason began to tear, not stretch. To fix this, use a hand cream or baby oil.

You can also microwave it for a couple of minutes. It is important not to overdo it, otherwise the slime will become liquid and it will be impossible to play with it.

Will stick to your hands. From too high a temperature, antistress can become liquid and begin to stick to your hands (more on why the slime sticks to your hands)

To restore its elasticity, use sodium tetraborate. This substance is sold in any pharmacy. Just add a few drops to the slime and it will recover. The main thing is to add tetraborate little by little. If you overdo it, the slime will become too hard.

• Decreases. If you play actively with the slime, it will inevitably decrease. This is due to the evaporation of moisture. But this process can be avoided: mix the slime with a pinch of salt, then place in a jar and add 2-3 tsp. water. Close it with a lid and shake vigorously. Repeat this procedure every 3-4 days so that it does not dry out (read how to soften dried slime).
• Gets dirty. In antistress, sooner or later, wool, hair, dust particles and other dirt appear. To remove them - add a couple of drops of vegetable oil to the slime and remember the slime. The dirt is now less sticky to the anti-stress and can be removed with tweezers or a needle.

Detailed video about storing slime

How to store a slime correctly so that it does not stick

The correct way to store

Compliance with the rules for storing the slime is the main aspect that allows you to preserve the texture of the toy and extend its life.

Must be cleaned from dirt

The slime needs to arrange "bath procedures". It should be washed about once a week with warm soapy water. This will get rid of fine dust. Large particles are removed with tweezers.

It is not recommended to play with slime on a dirty surface. You cannot, for example, throw it on the floor. Also, not only before the game, but also after, you should wash your hands with soap and water.

Water treatments to cleanse the slime

Do not heat the product

Some people advise heating the slime in a microwave oven. This method raises more questions than positive reviews.

From heating, the toy loses not only its abilities, but also the structure of the slime significantly deteriorates. Direct sunlight is also detrimental to him. Infrared radiation simply "kills" the slime.

Slime after heating

Do not freeze the toy

Shock freezing with a freezer also adversely affects the composition of the toy. Slime becomes covered with ice and even if you defrost it gradually, it will still lose its main characteristics:

• pulling;
• elasticity;
• uniformity.

But you still need to store the toy in the refrigerator, in an airtight container or in a special bag with clips.

Proper storage of the toy

How can you soften slime?

Do not rush to throw away a toy that has hardened. There are many ways to soften slime. For this, ordinary household products are suitable, which are at hand in every home. They will return softness to the slime and make it elastic and viscous again

Pay attention to the following remedies

Liquid for softening slime

The easiest way to soften slime at home is to add water. The main reason the toy hardens is to dry out. Therefore, you can restore its softness by adding water.

Before softening the slime in this way, you need to pour a small amount of water into a bowl, and then place the product in a container. Let the slime sit in the water for a while, then knead it like dough to absorb the liquid. Usually, after such manipulation, it becomes soft again.

You can also use nail polish remover as a softener for slime. It contains a certain percentage of acetone, which softens the toy.

But it is important not to overdo it with the amount of liquid, as this is a chemical and inhalation of its vapors can be harmful. It is enough to pour in a few drops of the product and mix the product well until softened

Hygiene products for softening slime

Body balms and gels have a positive effect not only on the skin, softening it, but are also effective means to soften the slime. Liquid skin lotion is the first thing that comes to mind for experienced slimers who are thinking about how to make a slime soft. Depending on the size of the product, you will need 1-3 tablespoons of the cosmetic product. They need to be inserted into the toy and mixed well.

Adding antibacterial gel to the slime gives about the same effect. But at the same time, the slime also becomes noticeably cleaner. It will take a few drops for a small toy.

If you are thinking about how to soften the slime, which is made of opaque PVA glue, then you can try adding toothpaste to the product. Introduce the product little by little in small peas and mix thoroughly to the desired consistency.

If you need a recipe on how to soften an airy slime, the so-called fluffy slime, you can use shaving foam to save it. She will not only soften the toy, but also return it airiness and splendor.

Also, for those who are looking for a way to make the slime softer, you can recommend pouring a little shampoo into the slime.

However, in this case, it is important not to exceed the optimal dose so that the toy does not become rigid.

Slime softening chemicals

If you don't know how to soften hard slime, you can use a variety of chemicals. It is recommended to work with them with gloves so as not to damage the skin.

The simplest component that can be introduced into a solid slime is the glue from which it was made.

In this case, it is important that the toy is not old or expired, otherwise adding glue will not save the situation. Add the substance drop by drop and mix well until softened.

Another good remedy is citric acid. It is suitable for those who are looking for an opportunity to soften a glass slime. The acid does not cloud the base and maintains transparency

The substance must be added carefully in grains and mixed thoroughly until completely dissolved.

If you are unsure how to soften hard slime, a variety of organic or synthetic polymers can be used. For example, guar gum softens a toy well.It is a herbal remedy that acts as a viscosity enhancer. Gum is essentially a resin that does not dissolve in water. It is able to absorb liquid and swell. Therefore, before softening the slime at home, fill the gum with water and leave it for a few minutes to swell. After that, pour the mixture into a toy and mix well.

Synthetic polymer compounds, such as silicone, operate in approximately the same way. Add a little at a time until the slime is softened.

The best slime recipes from non-working glue

A slime made from non-working glue does not stretch so well, does not click or crunch, sticks a little to your hands, but is also pleasant to the touch. Although such a toy can even break when stretched strongly.

Experienced slimers know how to make a slime from non-working glue using a modification of classic recipes, but if the feature of the product is revealed at the kneading stage, that is, when instead of an elastic mass a liquid substance is obtained, the following techniques will help restore the toy:

1. Make sure there is enough glue in the mixture. If the proportions are not respected, the thickener simply does not work.
2. Close container with ingredients and refrigerate for an hour. If the slime contains flour, starch or other components of natural origin, they just need to be infused. After the mixture has stood for an hour, active mixing must be continued.
3. If the slime made from non-working glue remains liquid even after infusion, it must be kneaded well. Thorough mixing is possible only by hand.
4. After kneading, if it was not possible to achieve the desired consistency, it is permissible to re-add the thickener. The second portion of the activator should be no more than 2-3 drops (borax solution or lens storage liquid).
5. Slimes made from non-working glue are not always liquid. If during kneading you notice curdling of the composition (the formation of small flakes or lumps), then you can try to smooth out the consistency by heating the mixture. To do this, it is necessary to heat the slime in a water bath or in a microwave oven in the "Defrost" mode, and then add warm water. After thorough mixing, you will have to re-add the glue and thickener (for example, shower gel) to the composition.

In the question of how to make slimes from non-working glue, in addition to polymer recovery, it is also necessary to strictly adhere to the recipe. It is recommended to start experiments with the simplest components, the ingredients for which are in every home.

Non-working glue slime recipes:

• With PVA glue... Non-working glue is mixed with fresh PVA in a 1: 2 ratio. A drop of fragrance shampoo, baby oil and soda (a pinch) are added to a well-mixed composition to get rid of stickiness to hands, and for color - any dye. Only after all the components are mixed is the base ingredient, the thickener, added. Sodium tetraborate is best, but lens storage fluid will also work. The combination of working PVA and non-working glue is not always profitable, since it requires a large consumption of high-quality glue. In cases where too much fresh PVA is required, experienced slimers recommend abandoning the idea of ​​"reanimation" in favor of a slime made from exclusively working ingredients.
• With starch... The glue, which worked well, but suddenly stopped, during mixing with the activator, can be "woken up" with the help of starch. After thorough mixing, you get the right butter slime. It must be remembered that slimes made of non-working glue with starch or flour should be stored in a tightly closed container. The shelf life of such an anti-stress is short.
• With alcohol based lotion... For liquid, non-working adhesives, such as silicate glue, you can use a cosmetic alcohol-based lotion as a thickener. At the kneading stage, it will be necessary to squeeze out the mixture well from excess liquid.Such a slime stretches well, but dries quickly enough in the open air, although it is perfectly stored in a container.

And if you really want to make a slime, but there was no glue at hand or it was not possible to fix it, you can use a recipe that does not require a polymer in its composition at all, for example, mix toothpaste with flour or starch. Such slimes are more like handgams, they do not stretch, but they wrinkle very nicely.

How to make slime from non-working glue - watch the video:

Slime made of non-working glue is a real anti-stress, which is not inferior in quality to slimes created from freshly opened cans with polyvinyl acetate. However, in order to create a truly high-quality toy, the slimer will have to try hard - find out the reasons for the inertness of the base material, eliminate them or change the slime recipe with non-working glue. In some cases, it is more profitable to forget about expired glue and make slimes only from new materials, but if you want to experiment with non-working components, use the proven methods of experienced slimers.

How can you soften and increase in size

Suitable mixing utensils

How to make slime bigger? The easiest way to enlarge the toy is to wet it. Literally "before our eyes" the small mass will begin to increase. 3-5 minutes are enough for this procedure.

At the same time, it is categorically not recommended to use hot water, and even more so boiling water. It is better to do these manipulations in warm water.

This method allows you to both increase the slime and deal with the question of how to improve the slime.

Adding salt allows you to increase the size of the slime

If the resuscitation actions led to a change in the structure, then you can remove excess stickiness using ordinary baking soda. It is simply mixed gradually until the desired result is obtained. Sodium tetraborate is also an excellent thickener. Gradually adding it will not only improve the structure of the slime, but also make it more elastic.

This is a great way to teach you how to triple your slime. To do this, these manipulations must be repeated several times.

Attention! Before increasing the slime at home, you need to prepare an airtight container for storage. Experienced slimers call such procedures to increase the size of "feeding"

Experienced slimers call such enlargement procedures "feeding".

Slime enlargement process

Most often, the following ingredients are used for this procedure:

• Water. Almost any water is suitable for "soaking". The main rule is compliance with the temperature regime.
• Any composition that allows you to glue. This can be the most common PVA. The glue allows you to both make the slime larger in size, and glue all the cracks formed over time. The proportions are as follows: 1 part glue and 1 part water. It is necessary to introduce the resulting composition gradually, one drop at a time.
• If the salt previously dissolved in water is injected into the slime mass in the form of injections, then the base will not only grow, but also return the elasticity of the toy. In this way, you can increase the slime by 20 times.
• Also for these purposes, you can use salt baths. Soaking in such a liquid will also improve the condition of the toy.
• Adding 10% alcohol tincture to the slime will not only increase the size of the slime, but also improve its quality. The slime will begin to crackle and make unusual noises when pressed. Also, alcohol improves the quality of the transparent consistency. However, you cannot use alcohol-based preparations for slimes containing glue in their composition. The combination of these two ingredients will make the mass unpleasant to the touch.
• Adding shaving foam to a reduced slime will not only multiply the purchased item you like, but will also significantly increase the size of a homemade toy.Most often, it is necessary to additionally add starch or ordinary talc to this composition.
• The introduction of an ingredient such as kinetic sand into the slime mass will change the structure of the slime. The toy will not lose its abilities, it will also stretch perfectly, but the tactile sensations from the game will change. The mass will become fluffy and very airy.
• If you add a little shampoo or shower gel to the slime, the toy will become very plastic and soft. In this case, its size can be increased only if you add more flour or starch.
• The addition of soft plasticine will also help restore the slime. It will lose some of its properties, but it will become very pleasant and oily. The texture will become similar to the consistency of shortcrust pastry.

Resizing with kinetic sand