How to Make Bubble Soap

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Blowing bubbles is a very fun game, and you don’t have to worry if you run out of soapy water. Fortunately, you can make this solution at home. While it is enough to mix a little water with soap and stop there, you can increase the effectiveness of the solution by adding a little sugar or glycerin. You can even add color and fragrance to the bubble water with a little food coloring or vanilla extract!

Table of Contents

Ingredient

Basic bubble blowing solution

4 cups (1 liter) warm water
1/2 cup (120 g) diameter
1/2 cup (120 ml) dishwashing liquid

Super bubble blowing solution

6 cups (1.5 liters) of warm water
1/2 cup (70 g) corn starch
1/2 cup (120 ml) dishwashing liquid
1 tablespoon (13 g) baking powder
1 tablespoon (15 mL) glycerin or corn syrup

Color bubble blowing solution

1 cup (300 ml) warm water
2 tablespoons (30 g) diameter
1/3 cup (80 ml) dishwashing liquid
Food coloring

Fragrant bubble blowing solution

1 cup (240 ml) of warm water
1/2 cup (120 ml) mild, unscented dishwashing liquid
Essential oils or extracts
2 – 4 tablespoons (30 – 60 mL) glycerin or corn syrup (optional)

Basic bubble blowing solution

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Pour 4 cups (1 liter) of warm water into a large jar. You can use another container such as a bowl or pitcher of water. The container only needs to hold more than 1 liter of liquid to leave room for other ingredients. ^{[1] X Research Source}

If you want, you can use less water. However, you will also have to adjust the amount of other ingredients.
The temperature of the water does not need to be very precise. You can use the warmest water that comes out of the faucet, although distilled water is better.

Add 1/2 cup (120 g) diameter and stir. How long it takes to stir depends on how warm the water is. You may need to stir for about 2-3 minutes. ^{[2] X Research Source}

If preparing the solution in a vial, simply close the cap and shake.
It may sound weird to put sugar in water to blow bubbles, but the sugar actually binds the ingredients together and the bubbles last longer!
If you don’t have sugar, you can skip this step, but keep in mind that your bubbles won’t last very well.

Super bubble blowing solution

Dissolve the corn starch in the water. Pour 1/2 cup (70 g) of cornstarch into a large bowl. Add 6 cups (1.5 liters) of water, stir well. Continue stirring until the cornstarch has dissolved. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

If you can’t find cornstarch, you can use cornstarch instead.
This recipe will produce tougher and more durable bubbles. This is also the material for blowing giant balloons!

Add dish soap, baking powder, and glycerin. Pour 1/2 cup of dishwashing liquid into the bowl. Add 1 tablespoon (13 g) of baking powder and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of glycerin. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Remember to use baking powder instead of baking soda. These two are completely different.
If you can’t find glycerin, try replacing it with corn syrup. These two ingredients are different, but have the same role.

Stir the ingredients together, but be careful not to foam. It is best to use a long-handled spoon to stir, as this will cause less foam. Continue stirring until the soap, baking powder, and glycerin have dissolved. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Wait at least 1 hour before playing. Sometimes the cornstarch doesn’t dissolve completely and settles at the bottom of the bowl. Then you just need to stir it up a bit. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Don’t worry if there’s still some undissolved cornstarch left. It won’t affect the bubble at all.
Store the solution in a cool, dark place and use within a few weeks. If the solution starts to look cloudy, you should discard it.

Color bubble blowing solution

Dissolve sugar with warm water. Pour 1 ¼ cup (300 ml) of warm water into a pitcher with a spout. Add 2 tablespoons (30 g) of sugar and stir well. Continue stirring until the sugar has dissolved. ^{[9] X Research Source}

You need to use a water bottle with a pouring mouth because it will have to be divided into smaller batches. You will make this easier if you mix it in a jar with a spout.

Stir the dish soap into the solution, but be careful not to foam. Pour 1/3 cup (80 ml) of dishwashing liquid into the jar. Stir until the dish soap is completely dissolved. Remember to stir slowly so as not to create too many bubbles. ^{[10] X Research Source}

The original Dawn blue dishwashing liquid is arguably the best for making a bubbler, but the blue will blend with whatever color you plan to add.
Consider using colorless dishwashing liquid. This will make it easier for you to create the color you want. This is a must if you want yellow, orange or red bubbles.

Fragrant bubble blowing solution

Stir soap with water. Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of warm water into the bowl. Add 1/2 cup (120 ml) of mild, unscented dishwashing liquid and gently stir the soap into the water. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Stir slowly so as not to create too many bubbles.
Castile soap (vegetable soap) is a good choice, as it is odorless. You can also use any soap that has a very mild or neutral scent.
Avoid soaps with strong scents like lavender, as the scent of the soap will drown out the scent you want to add to the solution.

Add a little flavoring extract like vanilla and stir. The faint scent will be more pleasant, so you only need 1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon. Lemon and almond extracts are also great options. Peppermint extract is also fragrant, but you should only use a few drops; This scent is so strong! ^{[16] X Research Source}

You can also use a few drops of essential oils or fragrances to make soap. You should only add 2-3 drops at first, then you can add more if you like.
Try using 2-3 drops of flavoring to make candy. This is very concentrated, so you don’t need to use much.
If you want the bubbles to have more color, add a few drops of food coloring or liquid watercolor.

Mix in some corn syrup or glycerin if you want the bubbles to be firmer. You don’t need to add this ingredient, but it will make the bubble stronger and more durable. Just 2-4 tablespoons (30-60 ml) is enough. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Choose one of the two ingredients above. Don’t use both!
Gently stir! You shouldn’t create too many bubbles!

Advice

Distilled water is more effective than tap water. Tap water contains minerals that can make it difficult for bubbles to form.
If you don’t have dish soap, you can try hand soap, body wash, even shampoo. Anything that doesn’t contain alcohol will do.
Balloons usually last longer on humid days.
Blow bubbles outdoors when the temperature drops to freezing. Bubbles will freeze too!
Reuse old bubble sticks or make new ones with a pipe cleaner! The bigger the stick, the bigger the bubble!

Warning

Homemade bubble-blowing solutions will not be as stable as commercially available ones. If the solution starts to look cloudy or has an odor, discard it.

Things you need

Large bowl, jar or pitcher of water
Long handle spoon

Ingredient

Basic bubble blowing solution

Super bubble blowing solution

Color bubble blowing solution

Fragrant bubble blowing solution

Steps

Basic bubble blowing solution

Super bubble blowing solution

Color bubble blowing solution

Fragrant bubble blowing solution

Advice

Warning

Things you need

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