How to store slime properly
Do you love slime? Who doesn’t, right? It’s the perfect gooey, slimy fun for all ages.
But what do you do when you’re done playing with it? How do you store slime so that it lasts as long as possible?
In this blog post, we will teach you how to store slime properly so that it stays fresh and fun for as long as possible!
What kind of container should I use to store slime?
Hands down, the best way to store slime is in an airtight container. This will keep it from drying out or getting hard.
You can find airtight containers at most stores that sell storage containers. Just make sure to get one that’s the right size for your slime!
If the container is too small and the slime doesn’t fit the lid may come loose in storage, causing air to get inside without you noticing.
Using a container that is too big is not such a big issue, but it does make storage more impractical.
Given that many kids like to carry their slime around with them as an on-the-go fidget toy, we recommend choosing the smallest airtight container you can find that can comfortably contain the amount of slime you have.
Should you always store slime in an airtight container?
The short answer to this question is yes.
No matter how you choose to store slime, the most important thing is to make sure the container you’ve chosen is airtight.
This will keep your slime from drying out or getting hard. And that’s the last thing you want when you’re trying to have fun with slime!
Another potential problem with not keeping slime inside a sealed bag or other airtight container is that it will be exposed to more air and may grow mold.
Other containers you can use to store your slime
As long as you choose an air tight container, you can’t really go wrong. Check out this quick list of proper storage solutions for slime:
- The most popular solution is to opt for a reusable food storage container (either glass or plastic) as this can be a more practical, low-budget and environmentally-friendly option.
- Another good way to store slime is in a ziplock bag with strong zipper. Again, make sure it’s airtight! You can also put the ziploc baggie into another container, just in case the bag springs a leak. Bear in mind that plastic bags are not going to be as reliable as using a container with a solid structure, like a tupperware box.
- Plastic wrap can be a helpful solution for storing slime, but it won’t protect against leaks as well as a proper container.
- If you want to get really creative, you can even store slime in an air tight mason jar. These are great because they seal up tight and they’re super cute! You can find mason jars at most stores that sell canning supplies.
- An option you may not otherwise have considered is using baby food jars, as they are designed to avoid air getting inside. Baby food jars are free if you have to buy them anyway, too!
Double-bagging with ziplock bags is always a good idea when it comes to storing slime, especially if your kids like to take it with them to school or out and about.
You can also combine a few of these different options. For example, cover your slime in plastic wrap and then store it in a ziploc bag. This will mean the slime won’t be exposed to as much air inside the bag as it would otherwise.
However you decide to store it, make sure the container is always tightly and fully closed. You should always wash your container with soap and hot water before and after use too.
What container should you use for store bought slime?
You might be wondering about the best way to store slime you have purchased rather than made yourself at home.
All good slime brands will use an airtight container to store their slime. This is not just for your benefit – they want to keep their slime fresh whilst it’s still on the shelf in the store too!
If you think about it, it doesn’t look great for them if a customer purchases some of their slime and finds that it has dried out or grown mold – yuck!
For that reason, your best bet is to avoid buying cheap slime, and keep store bought slime in its original container rather than trying to find an alternative storage solution.
How do you store homemade slime?
If you’re wondering how to store DIY slime, any of the airtight solutions we already suggested should work fine.
Bear in mind that if you used a homemade slime recipe it will not usually last as long as store bought slime.
This is because store bought slime has been manufactured to last longer. It may contain additional ingredients that preserve the slime, and will also have been made in an industrial environment designed to prevent bacteria growth.
That’s why the best way to store slime is by keeping it in the fridge or a cool, dark place to limit the growth of bacteria and reduce the chances of the slime growing mold.
How long does stored slime last?
New slime will generally last anywhere from several days to several weeks or even a few months. Around a month is standard for store bought slime, but homemade slime may last only a couple of days.
It all depends on how you store it and what ingredients you used.
In fact, warm weather, being exposed to dirty surfaces, being left in the sun and being stored incorrectly can all shorten the life of your slime.
How long you’ll be able to keep your slime fresh also depends on how much it is played with. Obviously, the more your kids take it out of its container and play with it, the quicker it will go bad or dry out.
However hard you try to keep it from drying out or going bad, no slime will last forever. Eventually, it will reach the end of its life and have to be replaced.
Should you refrigerate slime?
For best results, keep slime in the refrigerator.
We especially recommend this if you live in a warmer part of the world or if you are purchasing/making slime at a particularly warm time of year.
This is because your refrigerator is the ideal environment to store perishable items and make them last for longer. The cold temperature reduces bacterial growth.
It also slows evaporation, which means that if the container does have any holes in it the moisture in the slime will not escape as quickly as it would at room temperature. That can help to stop it from drying out.
If you live in a colder climate, you may be able to properly store your slime in a cool place rather than having to use the refrigerator.
Can you freeze slime?
Yes, it is possible to freeze most kinds of slime.
Placing the slime in the freezer immediately after making it can help to keep it fresh for longer. Just remember to take it out and let it defrost a little before your kids play with it!
Playing with slime that is still a little frozen can add to the experience, so that might be a fun activity to try too.
Putting slime in the fridge or freezer are both great ways to extend its life and reduce the chance that it dries out.
Other great ways to keep slime fresh for longer
Aside from where you choose to store slime, there are plenty of other ways to stop slime from getting moldy or hardening.
Here are some of our favorite ways to preserve slime:
- Always wash your hands before (and after) playing with slime. You can also use a few pumps of antibacterial gel. Washing skin that comes into contact with the slime will reduce the amount of bacteria on your hands being transferred to it.
- Opt for a slime recipe that is designed to prevent hardening and extend the amount of time the slime will last. Some recipes work better than others, so this one is going to be a little bit of trial and error.
- Not playing with it? Put it away! Make sure your kids remember to store their slime safely away as soon as they are done with it. Leaving it out is a surefire way for it get ruined.
- Add water, hand lotion or antibacterial gel to the slime and work it in well. See below for more info!
What to do if your slime has turned hard
Fluffy slime not fluffy anymore? Squishy or runny slime gone all hard and rubbery?
There are a number of possible solutions to this problem, depending on the recipe you have used.
Here are a few suggestions that may work for you:
- Add a little warm water. Seems too simple? It will work great for some slimes. It’s also the number one way to fix dried playdough too.
- Try mixing in some hand lotion as this can also revive dried-out slime.
- Add a bit of antibacterial gel or hand sanitizer and mix well. Knead it through the slime to ensure it’s evenly spread.
- Warm up the slime a little by kneading it in your hands. Occasionally hard slime is caused by it being stored at low temperatures and will resolve itself once it warms up.
What to do if your slime grows mold
Sadly, there is very little you can do to rescue your slime if this happens, as the only safe option is to ensure it is thrown away.
You could try scraping the mold off, but it could cause a health hazard.
We would definitely advise you to immediately throw away dirty or moldy slime, even if it still stretchy, sticky and fun to squish. Drain any excess liquid from runny slime down the sink plughole and discard in the trash.
That’s all there is to it! Now you know the keys to keeping your slime fresh for as long as possible.
Have fun and enjoy your slime! And don’t forget to share this blog post with all of your slime-loving friends!
You might also enjoy reading How to Get Playdough Out of Clothes and How to Make Playdough Soft Again.
Need low-cost, fun activity ideas?
Access the SUPA STEM Resource Vault featuring a growing library of fun activities, printables, and resources… completely free!
