Make a Longer Lasting Bubble Solution

To create a long lasting bubble solution, you need to add moisture to the mix. This is achieved through the addition of glycerin, a natural moisturizer, to traditional soap-and-water solutions. If you’re looking to add a little bounce to your bubbles, try adding liquid sugar, or corn syrup.

Ingredients

Making a Solution with Glycerin

  • Distilled water
  • Liquid dish soap
  • Glycerin

Making a Solution with Glycerin and Corn Syrup

  • Liquid dish soap
  • Glycerin
  • Corn Syrup

Steps

Making a Solution with Glycerin

  1. Gather the supplies. For this bubble mixture, you will need three ingredients: distilled water, liquid dish soap, and glycerin.[1] Glycerin is a natural moisturizer. When added to a bubble solution, it prevents the bubbles from drying out. This makes the film harder to pop.[2]
    • You can purchase glycerin from your local pharmacy.
  2. Combine the ingredients. Measure and pour 1 cup distilled water into a clean container. Stir in 2 tablespoons liquid dish soap. Finally, mix in 1 tablespoon Glycerin to the soap-water mixture.[1]
  3. Let the solution sit. Bubble solution gets better with time. Before using, allow the solution to sit in a sealed container for at least one hour. For optimal use, let the solution rest for 24 hours.[3]
  4. Swirl the mixture before use. When you’re ready to use the bubble solution, gently swirl the mixture. You can use your hand or a spoon. Do not shake the mixture—this will disrupt the suds.[4]

Making a Solution with Glycerin and Corn Syrup

  1. Collect the supplies. For this bubble mixture, you will need the following ingredients: Glycerin, liquid dish soap, and corn syrup.[5] The glycerin, a natural moisturizer, will prevent the bubble from drying out—bubbles love moisture! The corn syrup will make the bubbles extra “sticky”.[4]
    • You can find glycerin at your local pharmacy.
  2. Combine the ingredients. In a container combine 4 parts glycerin, 2 parts liquid dish soap, and 1 part corn syrup. For a large amount of solution, you could combine 4 cups glycerin, 2 cups liquid dish soap, and 1 cup corn syrup. For a smaller amount of solution, you could combine, 1 cup glycerin, ½ cup liquid dish soap, and ¼ cup corn syrup.[5]
  3. Let the solution rest. If the solution does not work right away, don’t throw it away. Bubbles solutions improve with age. Leave the solution to rest in a sealed container for up to a full week.
    • These bubbles may bounce off hard surfaces.
    • When stored for a long period of time, the mixture may become moldy.[5]
  4. Mix the solution before use. While the solution was resting, the ingredients may have separated. Before you can use the solution, gently swirl the mixture with your hands or a spoon. Avoid shaking the mixture.[4]

Making Your Bubbles Last Longer

  1. Avoid the breeze. Bubbles and wind do not mix. You can prolong the life of your bubbles by moving indoors. Blow your bubbles in an enclosed room, such as a garage or a classroom.
    • Do not blow the bubbles inside a house. The solution may stain the furniture, flooring, or walls.[3]
  2. Minimize debris. The best, longest lasting bubble solutions, do not contain imperfections. You can limit the imperfections in your solution by using distilled or filtered water. Additionally, only mix the solution in a clean container.[3]
  3. Add moisture to the air. Bubbles love a moist, humid environment. In addition to adding glycerin, a natural moisturizer, you can also use a humidifier. The humidifier will add moisture to the air, increasing the life of your bubbles.[3]

Tips

  • If using a bubble-machine, always remove the rotating wand and wash well in clean water before each use to remove any 'sticky' particles left behind from previous use.
  • For some totally awesome colored bubbles, add a few drops of food coloring. This mixture is for outside use only.
  • Make sure that you allow liquid-glucose to completely dissolve.

Warnings

  • The solution may cause stains.
  • The addition of liquid-glucose makes the bubble residue very slippery. Use caution when blowing bubbles near tiles, linoleum and hardwood floors.

Related Articles

  • Blow Bubbles Inside of Another Bubble

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/blog/2012/06/18/backyard-bouncing-bubbles-head-outside-for-sick-science-summer-camp/
  2. ↑ http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/plan_your_visit/events/science_shows/bubbles_bubbles_bubbles/making_perfect_bubbles
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 http://www.zometool.com/content/ZOME_Bubbles_instructions_web2.pdf
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 http://www.babysavers.com/how-to-make-bubbles/
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 http://www.chymist.com/soap%20bubbles%20part%201.pdf

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