Detergent is not typically used to activate slime; however, some household detergents may contain ingredients that can interact with slime, depending on the type of slime and the ingredients in the detergent.
Slime is often made from a base of borax (sodium tetraborate) and white PVA glue (polyvinyl acetate), along with water and sometimes other additives like food coloring or fragrance. The borax acts as a cross-linking agent that turns the PVA glue into a stretchy, moldable substance.
Here's how certain detergents might interact with slime:
Surfactants: Many detergents contain surfactants, which are compounds that lower the surface tension between two liquids or between a liquid and a solid. If a detergent with strong surfactants comes into contact with slime, it could potentially break down the polymers in the slime, causing it to lose its stretchiness and become runny.
Alkaline Ingredients: Some detergents are alkaline, which could potentially react with the borax in the slime, altering its consistency.
Additives: Detergents may contain fragrances, dyes, or other additives that could change the appearance or texture of the slime.
In general, if you want to activate or play with slime, it's best to use the appropriate activators, such as contact lens solution (which often contains boric acid, similar to borax) or saline solution for "liquid" slimes, or cornstarch for "fluffy" slimes. Using detergent is not recommended for activating or playing with slime, as it may not have the desired effect and could ruin the slime.
If you accidentally get detergent on your slime, it might start to break down, and you may notice that it becomes less stretchy or more liquid. In such cases, it might not be possible to restore the slime to its original state.
