Using bubble solution to make bubbles if fascinating and addicting. Once you start, you can’t stop yourself from trying again to make a bigger, better bubble. But the secret to making great bubbles lies in the bubble solution you use. In this post, I will share some recipes and resources I have found online. If you have the right ingredients, you can make the recipes listed or make your own custom solution. Bubble solutions seem to perform better when they are allowed to sit for at least a day after they are initially mixed.
Ingredients Commonly Found in Bubble Solutions
Detergent (Dawn)
Baking Powder
Corn Starch
Corn Syrup
Cocamid DEA
Different Types of Bubble Solutions
Bubble Solutions are formulated in different ways to create different kinds of bubbles. For example, the common bubble solution that creates the small bubbles could never be used to make the large bubbles the size of a person. For that kind of bubble, a solution with a particular ingredient would be needed. Bubble solution formulas can be created to make the following kinds of bubbles: giant bubbles, durable bubbles, high flying bubbles, bubble foam, long thin bubbles.
Giant Bubbles
Solutions for giant bubbles are usually made with either guar gum or J-Lube.
Guar Gum is an inexpensive common food additive that is used to emulsify or thicken food items such as coconut milk. Guar gum will clump when mixed with water. To add it to a bubble solution, it is necessary to first make a slurry with it. This can be done by mixing guar gum with any of the following materieals: propylene glycol, glycerin, isoprophyl alcohol or grain alcohol.
Recipe for 1 gallon of juice using guar gum:
1 tsp guar gum
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp alcohol for slurry
detergent 1/2-3/4 cup
15 cups water
Here is another recipe I found on ThoughtCo.com for large bubbles that don’t pop:
3 cups water
1 cup dishwashing detergent
1/2 cup Glycerin or corn syrup
J-Lube is used by veterinarians as an obstetric lubricant for large farm animals. A solution with J-Lube can produce massive bubbles but should probably only be used outside. When the bubbles pop, the solution that hits the ground is a biog stringy, slimy mess. Better used outdoors. To see what I mean, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXsPqUFsArM
Resources
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-best-bubbles/ This article explains in simple language the basics of the science behind bubbles and shows how you can set up an experiment to test the effectiveness of different ingredients in bubble solutions
https://www.kidsdiscover.com/teacherresources/bubbles-for-kids/ This article will be useful for teachers looking for lesson plan ideas pertaining to bubbles.
http://www.bubbleblowers.com/homemade.html This page lists several recipes for bubble solutions.
http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/make-and-decorate/crafts/the-two-best-homemade-soap-bubble-recipes Mick Telkamp gives the two best recipes he developed for “Dura-Bubbles” and “Mile High Bubbles.”
Chemicalstore.com is a reliable supplier for: Guar Gum, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Borax