I'm always blowing bubbles
Pretty bubbles in the air.
They fly so high, they almost reach the sky.
So as my dreams fade and die.
- John Kellette, "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles"
Granted, the old standard lyrics are kind of boring when you stop and listen, but blowing soap bubbles is a pretty nice way to pass the time on a summer day. Soap bubble solutions, usually little more than dish soap and water, can be picked up at a dollar store and are a favorite goodie bag for kids' birthday parties, but if we're going to be blowing bubbles forever, let's do it right. This week we spent some time trying out some recipes for this classic time waster.
What's behind the bubbles?
Evidence shows that blowing air through a soapy solution to air-ball perfect film spheres was a hobby as early as the 1500s. Sir Isaac Newton studied the thickness of the walls of soap bubbles (did his conclusion? Really, very thin). Different elements will affect the thickness, smoothness, and durability of the soap bubbles. The sugar will slow down the rate of evaporation, making bubbles last longer. Ingredients like glycerin impact viscosity, affecting durability and weight. For such a simple toy, the science is substantial.
Starting with standard dish soap (we used Dawn) and tap water, our recipes varied as we searched for the perfect balance between lift and solidity. Ingredients included table sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, and glycerin (a soap byproduct often used in moisturizers and to improve the consistency of icing on fancy cakes). The proportions were changed, the ingredients mixed and blended. Finally, we found a couple of recipes that met our high standards for stability and loft.
Why spend our time on this when soap bubble solutions are cheap and readily available? Well, our homemade bubble solutions beat all the commercial stuff we've tried, but mostly because we're nerds and school lets summer out this week.
The best of bubbles
Armed with a selection of bubble wands made from bent wire, plastic rings, and mason jar lid holders, we set out two "best of show" recipes, each with their own appeal. Place the ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and gently stir to combine without stirring up the foam. Both recipes can be used immediately, but seem to improve somewhat after resting for a few hours before breaking the bubble wands.
Miles high bubbles
2 cups of warm water
1/3 cup dish soap
1/4 cup corn syrup
The bubbles we got from adding the corn syrup to the recipe weren't as reflective or colorful as some of the other efforts, but instead rose high (often disappearing from view without popping). If you're looking for a lift, this easy recipe fits the bill perfectly and doesn't require a trip to the store.
The "Mile High" recipe looked like the undisputed champion until our final contestant took the stage. This recipe uses a combination of gelatin and glycerin to create a super strong bubble that traps amazing colors and stays in the air so long you can take a moment to admire your reflection in its surface. Because it is a heavier solution, the Dura-Bubbles rarely disappeared into the sky, but instead hung in the air (depending on the wind) until they finally drifted to the ground. These bubbles are so resistant that, from time to time, they remain intact when they land on the grass. When they burst, there is a visible chain of jelly that is dropped to the ground.
Dura-Bubbles
2 cups of hot water
1/4 cup dish soap
1 (.25 oz) package gelatin
2 tablespoons of glycerin
Bubbles so good they would make Lawrence Welk proud. Unlike basic dish soap, these professional-grade bubbles can leave behind a bit of a sugary residue when (or if) they fall, so you probably don't want to use them indoors. Besides, it's a beautiful day. See below for more recipes for simple summer fun. Now go outside and play!
