Bubble Trouble? Let’s Fix It!
Having trouble with your bubbles? Don’t worry! Use this easy guide to find out what’s wrong and make the best bubbles ever—big, strong, and super fun!
Foreword – Setting Realistic Expectations
Sometimes big bubbles don’t work, and that’s okay! Even bubble experts have bubbles that pop too soon. But bubble fun shouldn’t make you feel frustrated. Bubble play should be a fun and relaxing experience. So let’s figure out why your bubble mix isn’t working!
If you’re using standard bubble liquid from a shop, it probably won’t be good for making big bubbles. To make big bubbles you require a giant bubble mixture, see our shop, free recipes and advanced paid recipe for entertainers.
Here are some common reasons why your big bubble juice might not be working:
- You used the wrong kind of washing-up liquid.
- The mixture got too cold.
- One of the ingredients has expired.
How Long Should Bubbles Last?
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Big Bubbles (2 feet): Last approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute.
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Very Large Bubbles (7 feet or more): Should last at least a few seconds before popping.
Why Do Bubbles Pop?
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Dehydration: Bubbles lose moisture over time and pop.
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Contact with Dry Surfaces: Bubbles burst when they touch anything dry, such as a wand, hand, or object.
Let’s deep dive into each reason (and more) below and learn how to fix it!
Troubleshoot – Why Aren’t My Bubbles Working?
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Did You Make the Solution Correctly?
Sometimes, the problem is with how we measure the ingredients. If you’re using a shop-bought mixture, maybe you didn’t follow the instructions properly. Make sure you’re using the right ratios! We recommend checking the manufacturer’s instructions.
Help with our magic powder: Watch our magic powder demo. The most common reason our powder doesn’t work is that the wrong liquid was used. Only use Fairy Liquid (Green Original or Blue Antibacterial)or Dawn Original—other brands or colours won’t work!
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Did You Wait 24 Hours After Mixing?
Sometimes, you need to wait a bit longer! Check the instructions, as some liquids need 24 hours after mixing for the best bubbles.
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Has Your Mixture Gotten Too Cold?
Even room temperature in winter (especially in the UK) can be too cold. If your solution gets too chilly, it won’t work. Warm it up next to a radiator or with a hot water bottle. Once it reaches room temperature, it should work again!
TOP TIPS:
- Never leave your mixture outside (in car!) overnight—bring it inside to the warmest place in your house, especially in the cold weather!
- When bubbling in very cold/freezing weather I will bring a hot water bottle or use a insulating wrap/bag to help keep my mix warm.
- Use warm water when mixing your bubble liquid.
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Are Bubbles Catching on Something Dry?
Dry hands or objects near the wand can pop bubbles. Make sure your hands and wand are fully coated in bubble juice. If bubbles are popping as they flow, it could be dry objects causing the trouble.
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Is It Too Windy?
If it’s too windy, is the wind just blowing to hard and blowing the bubble out? You could try opening and closing the wand slowly to avoid the blow out. Or on windy days, we use our favourite windy wand – the net wand!
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Are There Contaminants?
Clean equipment is a must! Anything like fabric conditioner can kill bubbles. Double-check your bowl and surroundings to avoid adding unwanted things into the mix.
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Has Too Much Debris Gotten In?
If bubbles were working fine but now they aren’t, check for sand, leaves, or other debris. You can sieve this out to fix the issue.
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Is the Solution Too Foamy?
Foam can ruin your bubbles! If your solution is foamy your bubbles may become dull in colour, heavy and pop very easily. Gently remove the foam with a spoon/sieve or let it settle. When playing bubbles with kids encourage DIP & LIFT, slow and gentle movements instead of stirring or mixing too much, which creates more foam. Learn more about how to stop foam!
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Are Your Movements Smooth and Gentle?
Quick or jerky movements can pop the bubble film before you even get chance to make a bubble. Practice making gentle, slow waves with the wand. Giant bubbles take patience, slowing down and care! Encourage children to make smooth and gentle movements, you may need to assist them until they get the hang of it.
Tip – Give younger children easy wands like hoops and loops. Save the string wands for the older children.
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Are You Storing the Solution Properly?
Store your solution at at comfortable room temperature.
Your bubble liquid really is like a baby—it needs just the right care to stay happy and work perfectly. Keeping it at the right temperature—warm but not too hot, and cool but not too cold—will help your bubbles last longer and float beautifully!
- Don’t leave it in the sun, as the heat will break down the Soap!
- Avoid freezing temperatures—if the mix gets too cold, bring it indoors and let it warm up naturally.
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Is It Too Hot?
Hot weather can dry out bubbles quickly. The hot dry air doesn’t help the longevity of the bubbles, as soon the water layer has evaporated out of the bubble film the bubble will pop. So, if it’s very hot, try adding a bit more water to your mix.
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Is the Air Dry or Dusty?
Dry or dusty areas aren’t great for bubbles. If you’re indoors, check if the air conditioning or strong lighting is affecting the bubbles. You can lightly spray water from a water bottle to moisten the air, but some places may not be ideal for bubble-making, like dirt tracks and dusty areas.
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How is Your Tap Water?
If your tap water isn’t great for bubbles, try using boiled, bottled, filtered, or distilled water. Areas in Scotland, UK have tap water that affects bubbles badly.
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Last But Not Least!
Check if any ingredients have gone past their use-by date. Guar gum, in particular, can lose its effectiveness over time. If your bubbles stop working, try using fresh guar gum.
Pro Tip: Guar Gum vs. J-Lube
- Guar gum is a plant based polymer and has a shorter shelf life, so check its expiration date.
- J-Lube is a synthetic polymer and lasts much longer and has no expiry date. Recipe with J-lube.
Side Note – Take a look at your wands!
Are your wands plastic or fabric? Both should work however bubbles will be more plentiful from fabric wands. So its something to bear in mind.
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Still Unsure?
Follow these steps:
- Check the instructions and watch demo videos.
- Make a fresh batch using clean equipment and warm water.
- Try again without distractions like kids or pets.
- Use slow and gentle movements with your wand.
If you’re still struggling, feel free to reach out! We’d be happy to help, even if you’re not using our products. Send a video of your process to cheryl@bubblyheaven.co.uk, and we’ll take a look!
Which solution should I choose?
How long will the mixture last?
Shop Large Bubble Liquid
To make large bubbles
You’ll need a specialist giant bubble solution like:
- Magic Powder Mix (available in our shop)
- Free recipes
- Pro recipe
- Uncle Bubbles Solution
If you’re using a common soap bubble mixture from the shop, it’s designed for smaller bubbles. So, for large, show-stopping bubbles, stick with a specialist solution!
How big bubble mixture should work!
Watch this video to see how fun bubble making can be, see how the best bubble solution can work. See how pleasurable bubble making can be and how you should expect a large bubble liquid to work. Here we are using mixture made with our magic powder mix.
Recent Magic Powder Reviews
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