THE FORMULA
- 1½ gallons
- hot water
- 1 cup
- Dawn Pots & Pans or Dawn Ultra
- 4 teaspoons
- guar gum powder
- 3–4 oz.
- vegetable glycerin
- 2 tablespoons
- baking powder — NOT baking soda
THE ALCHEMY
1. Add the water.
Fill a bucket with 1½ gallons of hot water. A cauldron is acceptable, but needlessly dramatic.
2. Introduce the soap.
Gently stir in 1 cup of Dawn using an egg beater. Gently. We are making bubble solution, not a bucket full of foam.
3. Prepare the suspicious substance.
In a separate vessel, whisk the guar gum into the glycerin until smooth. It will look deeply questionable. This means everything is proceeding normally.
4. Combine your experiments.
Stir the guar-and-glycerin slurry into the hot water and soap. Continue stirring until the evidence has mostly disappeared.
5. Invoke chemistry.
Finally, stir in 2 tablespoons of baking powder.
Baking powder. Not baking soda.
Elsewhere may cheerfully disregard reality, but chemistry remains annoyingly particular.
CONDITIONS IN THE MORTAL REALM
Bubbles prefer overcast skies, cool air, and nighttime conditions. If you must practice during daylight hours, find a generous patch of shade. The sun hates to be outclassed and will destroy the evidence.
During nocturnal bubble activity, please remain alert for wayward spirits.
Dust, heat, and dry weather are the natural enemies of bubblekind—but never fear. This formula was developed in the wastelands of Sacramento, where summer is like the wrath of a just god, and rain is a sad memory.
SECRETS OF THE BUBBLEOLOGIST
You can use the mixture immediately, but for best results, let it rest overnight with the cap OFF. This step is optional, but it allows some of the soap’s perfume to dissipate and can result in a better bubble mix.
Use within 48 hours for best results.
Do not store it hot.
Do not summon anything into it.
Do not blame Shane for unexpected weather.
EXOTIC MATERIALS FROM THE DEEP AMAZON
For those unwilling to mount an expedition themselves, I’ve linked the exact ingredients and bubble-making equipment I use below.