How to Make Slime Without Borax Using Just 4 Ingredients

This easy recipe uses water, body lotion, salt, and wheat flour to create the perfect slime that's just as fun as store-bought versions.

Published by: Joseph Kluge

Posted on: December 07, 2025

Last modified on: December 07, 2025

Making slime at home is one of the most popular activities for kids and families, but many parents worry about using Borax due to safety concerns. The good news? You can create amazing, stretchy slime using simple household ingredients that are completely safe for little hands! 

Quick Recipe Overview

Makes: 1 batch (about a baseball-sized amount)Time: 30 minutes (including 15-minute rest time)Skill Level: Beginner-friendlySafety: Adult supervision recommended for children under 10Cost: Under $3 using common household items

Essential Ingredients

You'll need just a few simple ingredients to make slime without Borax - most of which you probably already have at home:

Required Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons of water
  • 1 teaspoon of body lotion (any kind)
  • 1/2 teaspoon of table salt
  • 5 tablespoons of wheat flour
  • Food coloring (a few drops for desired color)

Optional Fun Add-ins:

  • Glitter for sparkly effects
  • Essential oils for pleasant scents
  • Small beads or foam balls for texture

Pro Tip: Always check that all ingredients are labeled non-toxic, especially when making slime with younger children. Any body lotion works for this recipe - even basic drugstore brands create great results!

Step 1: Preparing the Workspace and Water Base

Start by setting up a clean, organized workspace. Cover your table or counter with parchment paper to protect surfaces from potential spills. Take a medium mixing bowl and add 2 tablespoons of water. This larger water base creates a more hydrated mixture that will yield a bigger, stretchier batch of slime.

Step 2: Adding Color

Now add your food coloring to the water. Start with just 3-4 drops since you have more water to color - you can always add more for a deeper shade! Stir the colored water gently with a spoon until the color is evenly distributed throughout the larger water base. This step ensures your slime will have an even, vibrant color throughout.

Step 3: Mixing in Body Lotion

Add exactly 1 teaspoon of body lotion to your colored water. The lotion acts as a binding agent and gives the slime its smooth, stretchy texture. Stir the mixture thoroughly until the lotion is completely incorporated with the water. With the larger water base, you'll notice the mixture becoming creamy and slightly thicker.

Step 4: Adding Salt for Activation

Add 1/2 teaspoon of table salt to your mixture. Salt acts as a natural activator in this recipe, helping to firm up the slime and give it structure. Stir well until the salt is completely dissolved in the water-lotion mixture. The extra water helps the salt dissolve more easily and evenly.

Step 5: Gradually Adding Wheat Flour

Here's the key step! Add your 5 tablespoons of wheat flour ONE tablespoon at a time. Add one tablespoon, mix it thoroughly, then add another. This gradual process is especially important with the larger liquid base to prevent lumps and ensure smooth incorporation. The mixture will transform from liquid to increasingly thick and dough-like with each addition.

Step 6: Final Lotion Touch and Hand Mixing

Add just a small squirt (about 1/4 teaspoon) of additional body lotion to the mixture for extra smoothness. Now comes the fun part - mix everything together with your hands! The mixture will be sticky at first, but keep kneading and mixing. Use the mixture to clean the sides of the bowl as you work. The larger batch will require a bit more hand mixing to achieve the right consistency.

Step 7: The Magic Rest Time

Transfer your sticky mixture into an airtight container and place it in a warm spot (like near a sunny window or on top of the refrigerator) for exactly 15 minutes. This resting time allows the wheat flour to fully hydrate with the larger water content and the ingredients to bond properly, transforming your mixture into perfect slime!

Step 8: The Final Result

After 15 minutes, remove your slime from the container. It should now be smooth, stretchy, and much less sticky! Give it a final knead with your hands to perfect the texture. Your homemade slime is ready to play with! The larger water content creates a more pliable, stretchy slime that's perfect for extensive play.

Troubleshooting Your Slime

Even experienced slime makers sometimes need to adjust their recipes. Here are solutions to common issues:

Problem 1: Slime is too sticky
Add wheat flour gradually - start with 1/2 tablespoon, knead well, then check the texture. With the larger water base, you might need an extra tablespoon of flour. Let it rest for another 5 minutes if needed.

Problem 2: Slime is too stiff or crumbly
Add a few drops of water and a tiny bit more body lotion. The 2-tablespoon water base should prevent this issue, but if it occurs, knead thoroughly and let rest for another 10 minutes.

Problem 3: Slime won't come together
Make sure you've let it rest the full 15 minutes in a warm place. The wheat flour needs time to fully hydrate with the larger amount of water and bind with the other ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this slime recipe completely safe for kids?

Yes! This recipe uses only common household ingredients that are safe for children. However, always supervise young children and ensure they wash their hands thoroughly after playing.

How does this compare to other Borax-free recipes?

This wheat flour recipe creates a unique, slightly firmer texture that's perfect for stretching and molding. The 2-tablespoon water base creates a more substantial slime batch with excellent stretch properties.

Can I make larger batches?

Absolutely! Simply double or triple all ingredients proportionally. Just remember to maintain the same resting time and process.

Why do I need to let it rest for 15 minutes?

The resting time allows the wheat flour to fully absorb the liquids (especially important with the 2-tablespoon water base) and creates the proper slime texture. Skipping this step results in a mixture that won't achieve the right consistency.

Making slime without Borax using this wheat flour method proves that you don't need harsh chemicals to create an amazing sensory play experience. This recipe gives you safe, stretchy, satisfying slime that kids (and adults!) will love playing with. The best part? You can customize it with different colors and scents to create something uniquely yours.

Ready to get your hands messy? Gather your ingredients and start experimenting! Try different color combinations, add your favorite scents, or create themed slimes for holidays and seasons. Don't forget to share your creations with friends and family - homemade slime makes fantastic gifts and party activities too!

Joseph Kluge

Joseph Kluge

Joseph Kluge is the voice behind the PoppyMello Slimes blog. A graphic designer and writer by trade, Joseph brings his eye for creativity and storytelling to every post. He’s also the proud father of three daughters — the imaginative powerhouses who inspire and shape the slimes that PoppyMello is known for. Through the blog, Joseph shares family-driven stories, slime care tips, and behind-the-scenes looks at the colorful world his wife and daughters bring to life.

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