The sun has been shinning last week and our favourite way to play in the sun is with bubbles – you just can’t beat them.
We were getting through bottles of store brought bubble mix and when I did a search through Pinterest and of the web I found loads of recipes but the “best” ones all had corn syrup in them and we can’t get corn syrup in the UK.
I moaned to my mum about the fantastic bubbles that I used to make as a kid all summer long and how we never ever seemed to run out of bubble mix and off she popped found her note book and handed me the recipe that she used to use when I was a child (don’t you just love mums that kept things like that).
The mix has been a huge success.
So much fun trying to blow the biggest bubbles and it’s made from ingredients that we have in the house.
What You'll Find on This Page
My Mum’s 1980’s Bubble Mix Recipe
2 cups Washing Up Liquid
1 tsp Glycerine or Cooking Oil
1 cup Water
Making the mix
In a large jar pour lots of washing up liquid in – we use fairy but it really doesn’t matter what the make. Add in a little water so it’s a strong mix and give it a stir. To the mix add a minimum of 1 teaspoon of glycerine or cooking oil – we have been using out of date glycerine cough mixture and last year used cooking oil and the bubble worked great both times. The glycerine or cooking oil makes the bubble mix stronger and the bubble less likely to burst.
Using whatever bubble wands you have go out and blow bubbles and when the jar is empty – a quick trip to the kitchen and you’ve got more mix within seconds.
Bubble Mix Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups Washing Up Liquid
- 1 tsp Glycerine or Cooking Oil
- 1 cup Water
Instructions
- a large jar pour lots of washing up liquid in – we use fairy but it really doesn’t matter what the make.
- Add in a little water so it’s a strong mix and give it a stir.
- To the mix add 1 tablespoon of glycerine or cooking oil – we have been using out of date glycerine cough mixture and last year used cooking oil and the bubble worked great both times. The glycerine or cooking oil makes the bubble mix stronger and the bubble less likely to burst
- Using what ever bubble wands you have go out and blow bubbles and when the jar is empty – a quick trip to the kitchen and you’ve got more mix within seconds.
Cerys Parker
Cerys is a marine biologist, environmental educator, teacher, mum, and home educator from the UK. She loves getting creative, whether it is with simple and easy crafts and ideas, activities to make learning fun, or delicious recipes that you and your kids can cook together you'll find them all shared here on Rainy Day Mum.
I’m going to try this recipe today, fingers crossed. I am guessing that the abbreviation tsp (teaspoon) that you used is meant to be tbs (tablespoon)? hopefully it doesn’t matter. thanks again
You can buy corn syrup in UK Tesco sometimes has it Any American shop will definitely sell this. There is one near me in Holland Park in Ladbroke Grove.
I will have to check that out – last time I looked in Tesco I couldn’t see it and we have a fairly large store.
I really enjoyed playing with these bubbles- a great recipe
Fabulous idea will be making this.
will liquid detergent work??
I’m sorry I’ve never tried it with that!
Not every dish soap works. Barely got 2 bubbles from every dip into the mixture.
Can you let me know which you used so we can add that in so others can avoid it? The ones we have used have worked fantastically.
I was thrilled to see a recipe that didn’t need glycerine. I reduced the recipe but followed the 2:1 ratio and it worked great. I have Ecover liquid on hand and it was just fine!
Fantastic – I think that the glycerine is just needed for extra-large bubbles or ones with more staying power but to make some mix that the kids can use happily basic is good. Enjoy the fun.
Worked perfectly first time thank you
Fantastic so pleased it did.
Hi. Teaspoon tsp or tablespoon tbps? Thank you
I used 1 tsp but a tablespoon will make slightly stronger bubbles.
It is the first time I have tried this recipe so I used 1/2 recipe. I used Fairy washing up liquid and olive oil. It is brilliant the bubbles just keep coming. For the first time in his life I have actually tired my working cocker spaniel out and there is still some left for tomorrow.
Did not work. At all. Not even close.
I’m going to try the recipe. I had to look up what “washing up liquid” is…dish soap. Haha. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Thanks for this. Any chance you could tell me what the ratio of water to washing up liquid is, please (along with the subsequent increase in oil/glycerin)? I want to make a few litres for a bubble machine at a kids party. Thanks
Hi,
The best ratio that produces a thick liquid ideal for bubbles that you blow is 2:1 Washing up Liquid to Water. If you use the oil/glycerin then it’s a tablespoon per “cup” of water. I haven’t tested this in a machine so you may want to make a smaller quantity and then see how it goes before a big batch. From my experience with machines it maybe worth adding a little more water.
Hi! Just a quick note that you are not correct when you say that all washing up liquids will make bubbles- this is simply not true. There are several, such as Sainsbury’s basic washing up liquid, that no matter which formula you use will completely fail to make bubbles either by hand or from bubble machine. Safest to stick to original fairy or Johnsons baby shampoo for guaranteed results! Xx
That was my favourite bubble game and now it’s my daughter’s favourite game. I’ve also made similar mix with washing up liquid because the liquid ends very quickly.
What a great recipe for easy fun! Why can’t you get corn syrup in the UK?