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How to Make Bubble Solution at Home (That Works in a Bubble Gun)
Every bubble gun runs out of solution at the worst possible moment, usually with three children waiting. The good news is that bubble solution is mostly soap and water, and you almost certainly have what you need in the kitchen.
Here is the recipe we use, the slightly different mix that bubble guns and bubble machines prefer, and what to do when the bubbles refuse to form.
The short answer
Mix 1 cup of water with 2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid and 1 teaspoon of glycerine. Stir gently so it doesn’t foam, then let it rest for a few hours, or overnight if you can wait. For a bubble gun, use the same mix with a little extra water so it flows freely through the wheel.
What you need
- Water. Filtered, RO or boiled-and-cooled water works best. Hard tap water, which much of India has, makes weaker bubbles because the minerals fight the soap.
- Dishwashing liquid. Any ordinary kitchen dish liquid works. Avoid ones labelled antibacterial or “with scrub” additives, and don’t use hand wash, which usually contains moisturisers that pop bubbles.
- Glycerine. Available at any chemist for a few rupees. It slows evaporation, so bubbles last longer. If you don’t have any, a teaspoon of sugar dissolved in warm water does a similar, weaker job.
The recipe
| For | Water | Dish liquid | Glycerine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wands and dipping | 1 cup | 2 tbsp | 1 tsp |
| Bubble guns and bubble machines | 1¼ cups | 2 tbsp | ½ tsp |
| Giant bubbles (with a big wand) | 1 cup | 2 tbsp | 2 tsp |
- Pour the water into a jug or a clean bottle.
- Add the dish liquid slowly and stir gently. Don’t shake or whisk it: foam is the enemy of good bubbles.
- Add the glycerine and stir again.
- Leave it covered for at least a few hours. Overnight is better. The mix settles, the foam disappears, and the bubbles get noticeably stronger.
Why bubble guns need a thinner mix
A bubble gun works differently from a wand. A battery-driven fan blows air through a turning wheel that dips into the solution. A thick, syrupy mix, the kind that makes great giant bubbles, clings to the wheel and slows it down. You get fewer bubbles and drain the batteries faster.
So for a bubble gun or machine, use less glycerine and a little more water. If the gun starts producing a wet spray instead of bubbles, the mix is too thin; add a little more dish liquid.
Bubbles not working? Here is the fix
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Bubbles pop instantly | Too little soap, or a hot, dry, windy day | Add a little dish liquid; play in the shade or in the evening |
| Lots of foam, few bubbles | Mix was shaken or stirred too hard | Let it rest for a few hours; skim off the foam |
| Bubble gun sprays liquid | Mix is too thin | Add a teaspoon of dish liquid |
| Bubble gun wheel turns slowly | Mix is too thick, or batteries are low | Add water; change the batteries |
| Nothing comes out of the gun | Solution level too low, or the wheel isn’t dipping | Top up, and hold the gun level rather than pointing it up |
A few safety points
- Keep it out of eyes. Dish liquid stings. If it gets in, rinse with plenty of clean water.
- It is not for drinking. Toddlers will try. Store the bottle where they can’t reach it and label it clearly.
- Floors get slippery. Bubble solution on tiles or marble is a slipping hazard. A balcony, terrace, garden or park is better than the living room.
- Supervise the youngest. Bubbles are wonderful for babies and toddlers to watch and chase, but an adult should be holding the bottle.
Looking after your bubble gun
After play, pour any leftover solution back into its bottle. Run the gun for a few seconds with plain water in the tank to rinse the wheel, then let it dry. Take the batteries out if it will sit unused for a while. Dried soap is the most common reason a bubble gun stops working after a few weeks.
Bubble gun or bubble machine?
A bubble gun is handheld: the child points it and squeezes the trigger. That is the fun of it, and most children from about three can manage one. A bubble machine sits on the ground and fills the air on its own, which is better for parties and for babies who can’t hold anything yet.
If you are choosing a bubble gun, the main differences are how many holes the wheel has (more holes, more bubbles) and whether it lights up. All three of ours come with a bottle of solution, so they work out of the box:
- Electric bubble gun, 15-hole, light-up (₹449)
- Bubblitz electric bubble gun, 12-hole (₹469), made in India and BIS certified
- Electric bubble blaster with LED lights, 15-hole (₹469)
You can see all three side by side in our bubble guns collection. Planning a party for a crowd? Our return gifts under ₹300 guide has cheaper ideas.