Ever wonder…what are bubbles? Technically speaking, these soapy little globes are a film comprised of three layers: two outer layers of soap molecules sandwiching a middle layer of water. And inside? You guessed it. Air. Beyond composition, bubbles are…fun. Sheer joy. And you can whip some up with next to no effort right at home.
With just a few ingredients and some simple steps, you’ll be blowing happiness all around. Use our very own method pump dish soap and you’ll make the very best kind of bubbles (non-toxic and biodegradable!).
DIY Dish Soap Bubbles
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. dish soap
1 cup distilled water
1 Tbsp. corn syrup or glycerin
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a glass jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well. Dip bubble wand in solution and blow! You might want to stand back—you’re going to get big bubbles, the size of a baseball, even with a small wand.
Did you know?
The magic ingredient is corn syrup (or glycerin). It helps slow down the evaporation of water, extending the life of the bubble and keeping it from popping quickly. Using distilled water also makes sturdier bubbles because salts and minerals in tap water disrupt the soap molecules.
Have some fun!
Pull on a pair of gloves (fabric or disposable latex) and catch your bubbles. You’ll even be able to hold them or even bounce them from hand to hand. Why? Bare skinned, your hands’ natural oils interact with soap molecules, pulling them away from the water part of the film. So the bubbles pop. No so when you’re wearing gloves!
Note: Experiment with the recipe proportions to make better bubbles for your particular wand or bubble machine. Good luck!