How to Make GIY Bubble Solution with Dr. Bronner's

Warning: this post is meant for fun. That said, having fun helps reduce stress, and lowering stress is one of the healthy habits that support good skin. So while this is a playful project, it still has a practical upside.

In the accompanying video I demonstrate a DIY (Green-It-Yourself) bubble solution recipe. The base formula I tested and liked is simple: 1/2 cup (120 mL) Sal Suds, 1/2 cup (120 mL) corn syrup, and 2 cups (480 mL) distilled water. Mixed together, these ingredients create a solution that makes satisfying, durable bubbles for outdoor play.

During testing I tried a variety of ingredient swaps and found several reasonable alternatives. If you don’t have the exact items above, try one of these substitutions. They produced good bubbles in my experiments and can be convenient if you’re working from what’s already in your pantry or cleaning cupboard.

2/3 cup (160 mL) Castile Magic Soap in place of Sal Suds.
1/4 cup (60 mL) glycerin in place of the corn syrup.
1 cup (240 mL) simple syrup in place of corn syrup; if you use simple syrup, reduce the water to 1 1/2 cups (360 mL).

Practical notes and tips:

Mix gently. Stir the ingredients together slowly to avoid creating foam while you’re preparing the solution. A few slow stirs until everything is fully combined is all you need.
Let the solution rest. If you can, let the blend sit for several hours or overnight before using. Resting often improves bubble strength and longevity.
Use distilled water when possible. Distilled water reduces mineral content that can weaken bubbles; if distilled isn’t available, filtered or cooled tap water will work.
Store short-term. This recipe contains no preservative, so it’s not intended for months of storage. Keep it in a clean, sealed container and use within a week or so for best results.
Child safety. Keep solution away from eyes and do not allow ingestion. Supervise young children during play. Some essential oils and strong scents may be irritating to young children—see the note below about peppermint and eucalyptus.
Surface caution. The solution can make floors and surfaces slippery if spilled. Use outdoors or in an area where a slip hazard is not a concern, and wipe up spills promptly.

I want to say a big thank-you to my nephew and niece for their enthusiastic bubble blowing (and popping!) help during testing, and to Tucker, the noseless wonder, for a very brief cameo. Their participation made the process fun and helped show how the solution performs in real play.

If you have your own variations you’d like to try, experiment with small batches first. Simple changes to soap concentration, the type of sweetener or humectant (corn syrup, glycerin, or simple syrup), and water type can all affect bubble size and durability. Keep notes as you experiment so you can repeat the combinations that work best for you.

How to Make GIY Bubble Solution with Dr. Bronner’s

Further reading