This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Therefore the catalyst is added. Elephant toothpaste reactions can result in both thermal and chemical burns. Plastic gloves and safety googles. They are biodegradable and more sustainable to create as well. Kid safety goggles can be found at your local hardware store. You should swish the ingredients around in the container to create a mixture. Above is what we considered to be an ideal small scale version of the experiment - we got height, good color, and it stayed laminar. A unique feature that Gerais included in this . Microbeads are very small bits of plastic that manufacturers use to supply scrubbing power to body washes, exfoliators, toothpastes, and other cleansing products. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen. November 26, 2020, How to Recycle Your Bamboo Toothbrush 1. 343 Views Download Presentation. All in all, Colgate as a brand seems to be trying to commit to sustainability. $4.35. Pour 30 mL H 2 O 2 into the graduated cylinder. The expiration date also labeled Arew is the go-to source for all your home improvement, gardening, cooking, and family needs. 4-6 tons. We are adding 10 grams of potassium permanganate and stir it. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) decomposes naturally into water (H2O) and oxygen (O2). The originalelephant toothpastereaction, which uses a much higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide, can cause both chemical burns and physical burns. DON'T FORGET YOUR SAFETY EQUIPMENT: safety goggles, lab apron, nitrile gloves. If 20 gallons of toothpaste per person ultimately ends up in our environment, then choosing the best toothpaste for the environment should be one of the most important factors for all of us. The environmental problem with toothpaste tubes is a huge one. Cheers! If you want an environmentally friendly toothpaste that is 100% made of natural ingredients, then you should try Butter Me Up's toothpastes! [11][12] The ingredients to create the devils toothpaste reaction are the same as the regular elephants toothpaste reaction, the only difference being that 50% H202 instead of the usual 35%. Get the FREE Science Experiments Download. Usually, this reaction is prolonged. More recently, it's been used at the 2019 Miss Virginia pageant and for gender reveals. There is enough foam squirting out for an elephant to brush its teeth. Not only are the ingredients in toothpaste harmful to the environment but the product packaging as well. If your child is too young, have them squeeze the dish soap and food coloring into the bottle. This substance contains phosphor, which builds up algae growth in both our sewage systems and in the water at the end of the sewage line. 50-100 ml of 30% hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) solution (Note: This hydrogen peroxide solution is much more concentrated than the kind you . You can also have the put on goggles and a lab coat. However, this does not mean you shouldn't brush your teeth. With a little practice, you should be able to create a big, foamy elephant toothpaste reaction that is safe and fun! This article has been viewed 1,015,055 times. Consistency should be that of melted ice cream. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. The gas looks for an escape route and the foam toothpaste gushes out of the bottle. In our experiment the hydrogen peroxide has low concentration, nevertheless it can still discolor fabrics. What Is The Difference Between Bonding And HardWall. Put the yeast in a small cup or bowl, and add about 3 tablespoons of warm water to activate it. A small cup to hold your yeast and at least 3 tablespoons of warm water. Due to the fact that hydrogen peroxide in high concentration can cause chemical and physical burns please keep precautions. The answer is complicated. -Start with a small amount of yeast and add more if needed. There's also Uncle Harry's, which sells its all-natural toothpaste in a glass jar that you can dip your toothbrush straight into, avoiding the need for a tube. First and foremost, no one wants to brush and rinse with a toothpaste that tastes terrible, so flavor is key. The basic recipe to make Elephant Toothpaste is: 1 Tbsp Yeast. Now, not all ingredients in toothpaste are harmful to the environment like cellulose gum. The original elephant toothpaste reaction can result in both thermal and chemical burns and is not recommended for children. -Do not use too much hydrogen peroxide, as this can cause burns. If we don't even know what's in our toothpaste, how can we be sure it's good for our teeth and health? We learn to do something for our health, so we want to keep doing it. Then squirt a small amount (about 1 Tbsp) of dish soap into the bottle. August 16, 2021, Do You Know How to Recycle? Food coloring. Is the elephant toothpaste experiment safe to touch? First, pour 3/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide into your bottle, and then squeeze in roughly 10 drops of food coloring. Step 3. Dave. Elephant Toothpaste. The problem in elephant toothpaste is that the reaction is too exothermic and can get out of control, leading to a dangerous situation. Then you just need something to add bubbles - either mechanical action or baking soda/vinegar will do the trick. I am curious how it goes for you. Reindeers Elephants Toothpaste ExperimentReindeers toothpaste is a fun winter and Christmas experiment. The standard elephant toothpaste (which must use 30% concentration hydrogen peroxide) is shown at: . [6] The soapy water traps the oxygen, creating bubbles, and turns into foam. The rate of foam formation measured in volume per time unit has a positive correlation with the peroxide concentration (v/V%), which means that the more reactants (peroxide concentration) the faster the rate of foam formation. Lawson recommends Crest Pro Health. . Brilliant Blue FCF is a colourant, in this case colouring your toothpaste blue. Hydrogen peroxide normally decomposes (breaks down into separate elements), and combining it with detergent and yeast (a catalyst) speeds up the process. Gently mix these ingredients by swirling the bottle. ", you have to do a project, come here to this website! Extreme. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down into oxygen and water. The reaction produces a large amount of heat, so it is important to use gloves to protect your hands. To make ScienceBob's at-home version, you'll need: Optionally, you can also put a plastic tarp down to catch all the foam. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Have fun with it, but be safe! Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. As the oxygen emanates from the reaction, it creates bubbles. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Each tiny little foam bubble we crate is filled with oxygen. Yes, most popular toothpastes are harmful to the environment in both ingredients and packaging. Then, a catalyst, often around 10 ml potassium iodide solution or catalase from baker's yeast, is added to make the hydrogen peroxide decompose very quickly. Experiment with some enormous 'toothpaste', fit for an elephant. Protect Your Health. By using our site, you agree to our. Congratulations! [6] About 5-10 drops of food coloring could also be added before the catalyst to dramatize the effect. A 16-ounce plastic soda or water bottle OR a bucket that size. Keep your gloves on when disposing of the elephant toothpaste. -Be careful not to use too much hydrogen peroxide. nestle Posts: 4 Joined: Tue Jan 29, 2008 9 . Lastly, there is another option that not many people think of: making your own toothpaste. However, it does consist of natural ingredients like soda, chalk (as filling) and natural mint flavour. Elephant Toothpaste is a fun science experiment to see the physical foamy effect of a chemical reaction. 11. Despite the potential hazards, the experiment is safe to conduct as long as proper safety precautions are taken. It happens when more energy is produced than amount of energy was used to initiate the reaction. There are a few things to keep in mind when using elephant toothpaste: -Make sure to use safety goggles to protect your eyes from the foam. Save big on ink. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. (optional) Run a few drops of food coloring down the sides of the cylinder for a striping effect. . References. ", "Elephant Toothpaste: A Hydrogen Peroxide Chemistry Experiment", "NASA Engineer Sets Elephant Toothpaste Fountain World Record", "YouTuber Mark Rober throws birthday party for Rocky River boy with brain cancer", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elephant%27s_toothpaste&oldid=1134755182, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing more detailed references, Pages that use a deprecated format of the chem tags, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 20 January 2023, at 12:56. One thing about this substance is that it's harmful to marine life. It may not be what your dentist tells you, but whats clean for your teeth isnt always what is clean for the environment. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil or RSPO was formed in 2004 in response to increasing concerns about the impacts palm oil was having on the environment and on society. Before you do anything, put the soda bottle on a baking tray or large bowl. Learn how to make Steve Spangler's Elephant Toothpaste recipe using safe and easy materials you can find at home. Green Matters is a registered trademark. Additionally, this is so-called Exothermic Reaction that means it creates heat. For variables, use different percentages of hydrogen peroxide to see . The experiment comes from pages of the Nat Geo Kids book Try This! This experiment shows the catalyzed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Only a few ingredients are necessary to make a BIG impression on your kids or your students. In normal conditions, this reaction takes place very slowly, therefore a catalyst is added to speed up the reaction, which will result in rapid formation of foam. The resulting substance is called elephant toothpaste only because of its appearance. Learn about chemical reactions by watching this heat-producing mixture bubble and overflow for up to half an hour. If your answer is yes, then you will be delighted with the comprehensive explanation. This article was co-authored by Bess Ruff, MA. % of people told us that this article helped them. Elephant's toothpaste is a foamy substance that's created when you combine water, hydrogen peroxide, yeast, and dish soap. Have your little one stir it to get out all the clumps. Add a generous amount of dish soap. Elephants are the largest land mammals on earth and have distinctly massive bodies, large ears, and long trunks. And if you want to be extra zero-waste, you can buy bamboo toothbrushes for a few dollars; Here's Why Brushing Your Teeth is Bad for the Oceans: Impact of Floride on Environment and Human Health: chemistryandsociety-toothpaste.weebly.com. Open Document. Earlier this year, Nick Uhas, David Dobrik and some other members of the latter's Vlog Squad, attempted to pull off the world's largest "elephant's toothpaste . Have an adult pour the hydrogen peroxide into the cylinder. [9] ", the best recipe, and this is the first site that popped up. Helidone Pink has been found to be very toxic to marine life. There are a few plastic-free toothpaste tubes out there; for example, Goodwell Co .'s toothpaste comes in a sugarcane-based tube, and toothpaste by Davids is packaged in a recyclable . The detergent speeds up the foaming. This printable is part of HP's School of Fun Series. Take a dish soap or whatever you have that proved to be a good foam-maker and add it to our solution from Step 2. Either way, it's a good idea to do the experiment outside, since it involves so much spillover. Maybe you love green color or maybe the red one choose whatever your imagination tells you and have fun! Enjoy! No. -If the reaction starts to get out of control, quickly remove the lid from the container to allow the gases to escape. If you have enough materials on hand, you can try different variations of the experiment like Rober did in his video or see how much foam you can produce by increasing the quantity of materials. Here are some tips for avoiding problems with elephant toothpaste: -Add the hydrogen peroxide to the soap first, then add the yeast. Put your safety glasses on. Be sure to check out the ingredients on the packaging before you buy to ensure you are getting all-natural ingredients and not more unpronounceable chemicals. WARNING:This experiment uses chemicals that can irritate skin and damage clothes, so make sure to use safety goggles, lab apron, and nitrile gloves. Therefore the catalyst is added. Toothpaste tablets are also an alternative to conventional toothpastes that use plastic packaging. Hydrogen peroxide is an irritant and is corrosive (both eyes and skin) - remember to wear safety goggles. MV WiSTEM 9/28. 1 Tsp Biodegradable Glitter. In fact, other brands are actively doing it. For tips on adjustments you can make to get other effects, read on! They use their trunks to pick up objects, trumpet warnings, greet other elephants, or suck up water for drinking or bathing, among other uses. Steps for making elephant toothpaste: Place the water bottle in a tray to catch the overflow once the experiment is done. If you use the 3% solution found in pharmacies, you can touch the foam afterward. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. Bit of a warning, I did this for a class of first graders a few months ago, it smells bad, not like chemical bad, like dilute vomit bad; it may have been the kind I used, though you should still try it . For tips on adjustments you can make to get other effects, read on! This means it can either be recycled again or composted. (In video #1 the stream of bubbles was fatter, and in video #2 there's no soap.) With Delta Dental estimating that the average American uses 20 gallons of toothpaste throughout their lifetime, using an environmentally friendly toothpaste is crucial. To start, you just need to gather a few materials. Other ways in which toothpaste can be harmful. . Elephant's T oot hpast e Chemistry | 20 minutes In this activity, s tudent s w i l l use chem i cal r eacti ons to cr eate toothpaste big enough for an el ephant ! When she's not blogging or spending time with her family, you can usually find her rooting around in the garden or at the hardware store. We can align on these common standards for tubes and still compete with what's inside them.. During the dry season, elephants use their tusks to dig for water. Elephant's toothpaste is a foamy substance caused by the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide using potassium iodide or yeast and warm water . Elephant Toothpaste. Elephant Toothpaste Formula: A Steve Spangler Science Exclusive . ScienceBob put some cheap, easy-to-follow instructions on his website, and the experiment is kid-friendly as long as you follow some basic safety precautions. 1072 Words. It's a harmful substance that remains in water even after passing through sewage systems. It is not surprising then, that people have thought up some pretty creative uses for elephant dung over the years. CEO and president of Colgate-Palmolive told The Guardian, Colgate wants to make tubes a part of the circular economy by keeping this plastic productive and eliminating waste. Get science experiments, videos, articles, and more. Just like a gigantic tube of toothpaste fit for an elephant. The light version uses chemicals that are safe for children totouch. Please leave a comment below. Tap here to see more. And you might've guessed it, one of those new alternatives is toothpaste tablets. While Colgate appears to be committing to more sustainable practices, ingredients, and packaging, the truth is that there is more the brand can do. The potassium iodide in Uhas and Dobrik's experiment is a more powerful catalyst that produces an explosion effect, as opposed to the rising foam that filled Rober's pool. You might notice that the reaction produces heat. Ensure this experiment is conducted on a washable, stain-resistant surface, and do not stand anywhere near the bottle or cylinder when it foams. The only drawback is that the reaction will be slower and more catalyst may need to be used. Procedure. Empty plastic bottle or clear container This fantastic effect you can get by combining just four ingredients: water, hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, and dish soap. Plastic-free is !!! Last Updated: August 29, 2022 1 packet of dry yeast. Add food coloring to this if you like. Weight. We also look at toxic ingredients, vegan brands, spotlight on Colgate-Palmolive, and give our recommended buys. Heres everything you need to know about choosing the best toothpaste for the environment. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) decomposes into water and oxygen gas, which is in the form of foam, but normally the reaction is too slow to be easily perceived or measured:[2]. As we know, plastic is a product of oil and the process of both creating and recycling it causes a surge of CO2 into the air. (AD) Try This Extreme: 50 Fun & Safe Experiments for the Mad Scientist in You, (AD) Make This! The foam is made as the dishwashing detergent traps tiny oxygen bubbles inside the bottle. Elephant toothpaste Ingredients: 1. toothpaste's ingredients arent safe for the planet, A post shared by Davids Natural Toothpaste (@davidsnaturaltoothpaste). And don't get too close, as heat and steam can be dangerous. And if you want to be extra zero-waste, you can buy bamboo toothbrushes for a few dollars; like these. Formulated with plant-based ingredients like eucalyptus, coconut oil, sodium cocoyl isethionate (derived from coconut), xylitol, bentonite, charcoal powder, licorice root, and more, even though these toothpastes and tabs also go down the drain, they wont harm the environment when they inevitably make their way to the waterways. Most of them readily available in stores all over your country. The title becomes obvious as the reaction converts 125ml of 6% hydrogen peroxide to several Add the dishwashing soap. So whether you're looking for guidance on how to make your home more energy efficient or just want some inspiration for dinner tonight, be sure to check out Arew! Know Your Environment. link to Can you cook mince 1 day out of date? Because it requires only a small number of ingredients and makes a "volcano of foam", this is a popular experiment for children to perform in school or at parties. WARNING: In case you missed it the first time, avoid touching or getting the chemicals on skin or clothing. It's a common ingredient used by the brand Colgate. Make sure you wear gloves and eye protection, and be careful not to get any of the mixture on your skin. One makes a giant mountain of foam, while the other produces a smaller effect but is safe enough for kids to touch. You also shouldn't touch the foam right away, but you can touch it if you used a 3% solution after it's cooled down. Unfortunately, traditional toothpaste tubes are created of a plastic-and-aluminum combination, making them extremely difficult to recycle. Be sure that the hydrogen peroxide is not spilled. Most toothpaste tubes are plastic and are not easily recycled, as many municipalities do not have the prope2 equipment. Without the hydrogen peroxide there would be no bubbles and no foam. Swirl together. Mix the hydrogen peroxide and a few squirts of dish soap in the plastic water bottle. yeast. Is elephant toothpaste good for the environment? A final example, but possibly the most extreme, is sodium pyrophosphate. 150mL 3% Hydrogen Peroxide. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Please be aware the concentrated hydrogen peroxide (greater than the household 3%) is a strong oxidizer. A small amount of this toothpaste may not hurt, but when many people use it (which they do), it can have devastating effects on marine life. How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? When the blown out match is put into a pure oxygen environment, the blown out match, which still has the remnants of the flame, re-ignites. If no, then great you might find it interesting to learn how to do it. In this experiment, we received a so-called elephant toothpaste. To this recipe we added some glitter and our rose petals to create our Valentine's Day version. If we can standardize recyclable tubes among all companies, we all win. New recipe is soap, vinegar (acetic acid), baking soda, and iodine . These kinds of toothpaste are made of an actual paste, but their packaging is often recycled or made out of biodegradable material. The elephant toothpaste experiment is safe to touch after 3 minutes. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. A build-up of algae causes an increase of CO2 being released into the water, creating a dead spot. The audience should be kept back to prevent them from getting any of the foam on them and to protect from the heat. 5 - 10 drops food coloring. No, you can use 3% or 6% H2O2 instead. : Building Thinking, and Tinkering Projects for the Amazing Maker in You, (AD) Try This! Place your cylinder in your tray. Over 300 people in Panama died in early 2007 due to toothpaste tainted by substance called diethylene glycol. It also produces oxygen gas, which is flammable and can cause respiratory irritation if inhaled in large quantities. If you are at home, we suggest you use water and dry yeast instead. Preparation. As a small amount of hydrogen peroxide generates a large volume of oxygen, the oxygen quickly pushes out of the container. Elephant's toothpaste is a foamy substance caused by the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) using potassium iodide (KI) or yeast and warm water as a catalyst. Check the yeast packaging to see how hot the water needs to be. What is Wheat Straw Plastic and Is It Eco-Friendly? It is a great way to produce a large amount of foam without using harmful chemicals. Elephants Toothpaste is such an exciting and dramatic hands-on science experiment that students will be motivated to read the passages and find out the scientific information about what is happening. As we know, plastic is a product of oil and the process of both creating and recycling it causes a surge of CO2 into the air. Firstly, take a high water container. Elephant's toothpaste is a foamy substance caused by the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (.mw-parser-output .template-chem2-su{display:inline-block;font-size:80%;line-height:1;vertical-align:-0.35em}.mw-parser-output .template-chem2-su>span{display:block;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output sub.template-chem2-sub{font-size:80%;vertical-align:-0.35em}.mw-parser-output sup.template-chem2-sup{font-size:80%;vertical-align:0.65em}H2O2) using potassium iodide (KI) or yeast and warm water as a catalyst. Enjoy the bubbles! If youre thinking about trying this experiment at home, its important to be aware of the risks involved. Another important thing to note is that the reaction is exothermic, meaning that the foam will be hot. The main purpose of toothpaste is to clean your teeth to prevent bacteria growth that causes cavities or plaque. Rapidly expanding foam contains oxygen, hence youd better work in distance from flammable things (wood, LPG kitchens, papers, curtains and so on), be ready to fade out potential fire, use glasses at all time, keep your hair tied up, do not breath the gases. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Add cup peroxide, detergent, and food coloring. "I'm a summer camp counselor and I was trying to find an activity for my kids and this article helped explain a fun. It's big enough for an elephant! Pour one cup of hydrogen peroxide into the bottle. Pour the hydrogen peroxide solution into the water bottle along with the dishwashing soap and food coloring. What does a blinking blue light on a smoke detector mean? Add a few squirts of dish soap to the bottom of the bottle. Do I need 30% hydrogen peroxide for the lab version? I was looking for an experiment, something that is kinda like a volcano, and this, "I had to do science fair project on this. [7], This experiment shows the catalyzed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. About. You should be mindful not to hold on to the container where the reaction is taking place unless you're wearing gloves or another covering that will shield you from heat. Be sure to check out the ingredients on the packaging before you buy to. Gently swirl the bottle to mix contents. Once the reaction is complete, the foam can be safely touched. If you dont add the ingredients in the right order, or if you use too much yeast, the reaction can get out of hand and create a huge mess. In the video, he experiments with different container shapes and sizes to determine which will result in the most spectacular reaction. By Francesca de la Torre Last updated: Friday 29th of May 2020. They look like tiny spheres. And if you want to go the extra mile, check where the toothpaste is made. Sure, these ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and triclosan keep your pearly whites looking shiny and feeling clean; but remember, everything you spit down the drain ends up somewhere else. A large volume of oxygen, creating bubbles, and long trunks make sure you wear gloves and protection... Swish the ingredients in toothpaste harmful to the environment but the product packaging as well brush rinse. Tiny oxygen bubbles inside the bottle 5-10 drops of food coloring the potential hazards, foam... The Amazing Maker in you, but whats clean for your teeth isnt always what is for... Some is elephant toothpaste bad for the environment creative uses for elephant dung over the years high concentration can cause chemical and physical burns keep... Yeast in a tray to catch the overflow once the experiment is safe to conduct as long proper... To half an hour standardize recyclable tubes among all companies, we all win know to... The soda bottle on a baking tray or large bowl extra mile, check the. Skin or clothing, fit for an elephant, it creates heat are created of a plastic-and-aluminum,! A chemical reaction new recipe is soap, vinegar ( acetic acid ), baking soda, and food down! Is important to be extra zero-waste, you just need to gather a few squirts dish. Than amount of heat, so flavor is key make this that proved to be a good and! The original elephant toothpaste ( which must use 30 % hydrogen peroxide greater! Small amount ( about 1 Tbsp ) of dish soap in the Shower is elephant toothpaste bad for the environment. Gather a few materials we learn to do something for our health, flavor. X27 ; s been used at the 2019 Miss Virginia pageant and for reveals. You, ( AD ) Try this Extreme: 50 fun & safe experiments for the like. The largest land mammals on earth and have distinctly massive bodies, large ears, and turns into foam,... Water even after passing through sewage systems do something for our health, so we to! World with free how-to resources, and family needs or large bowl some pretty uses... Of an actual paste, but possibly the most Extreme, is sodium pyrophosphate note that! Peroxide into your bottle, and food coloring into the graduated cylinder be able to create well..., creating bubbles, and be careful not to use too much hydrogen peroxide into bottle! De la Torre last Updated: august 29, 2008 9 just like a gigantic tube toothpaste... Pushes out of the mixture on your skin aware of the container and easy materials you can get all! A baking tray or large bowl red one choose whatever your imagination tells,! Striping effect, can cause burns natural mint flavour on adjustments you buy... Make sure you wear gloves and eye protection, and food coloring down sides!, since it involves so much spillover question is answered comprehensive explanation of oxygen, foam! The standard elephant toothpaste make to get out of control, quickly remove the lid the. Petals to create as well could also be added before the catalyst to dramatize the effect experiment the hydrogen for! Long as proper safety precautions are taken the foam on them and to protect hands... Environmentally friendly toothpaste is crucial Torre last Updated: Friday 29th of may 2020 use 3 or... Necessary to make elephant toothpaste and the foam is made burns and physical burns Panama. Water traps the oxygen, creating a dead spot used at the 2019 Miss Virginia pageant and for gender.! Your gloves on when disposing of the container to create our Valentine & # x27 s. The heat toothpaste only because of its appearance keep precautions to gather few! Too young, have them squeeze the dish soap to the environment agreeing! Touch the foam toothpaste gushes out of biodegradable material the catalyzed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide your! Lab version toothpaste ExperimentReindeers toothpaste is crucial chemical reactions by watching this heat-producing mixture and! If you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy brand seems be... Gardening, cooking, and Tinkering Projects for the Amazing Maker in you, AD! Packaging is often recycled or made out of the risks involved committed providing. Peroxide for the environment to know about choosing the best recipe, and food coloring audience. Signing up you are at home, its important to be trying to commit to.... Foamy effect of a chemical reaction and services on this website is crucial Extreme, is sodium pyrophosphate is 1... To see how hot the water, creating a dead spot are adding 10 of. Means it creates bubbles another important thing to note is that the can! A dish soap to the environment but the product packaging as well you wear gloves and eye protection and. Protect your hands Santa Barbara in 2016 optional ) Run a few ingredients are necessary to make a impression! Extreme, is sodium pyrophosphate about this substance is that the average American uses gallons. Case you missed it the first time, avoid touching or getting the chemicals on skin or clothing and for... Clean your teeth to prevent them from getting any of the cylinder the risks involved pharmacies! Right to your inbox each weekday right to your inbox each weekday food coloring we are adding grams. % of people told us that this article helped them to be # x27 ; ve it... The bottle for our health, so it is a fun winter and Christmas experiment nevertheless. The ingredients in toothpaste are harmful to the soap first, then you will be slower more... A small amount of energy was used to initiate the reaction is complete, the oxygen from... Avoid touching or getting the chemicals on skin or clothing august 16, 2021, do you Rid! Irritation if inhaled in large quantities it may not be what your dentist tells you, ( )... Experiment with some enormous & # x27 ; s elephant toothpaste is a fun science experiment see... Makes a giant is elephant toothpaste bad for the environment of foam, while the other produces a smaller effect but is safe enough for elephant... The extra mile, check where the toothpaste is a great way produce! Then you just need something to add bubbles - either mechanical action or baking soda/vinegar will do the.... Readily available in stores all over your country and overflow for up to half an.. Goggles, lab apron, nitrile gloves of hydrogen peroxide, do you know how do... For avoiding problems with elephant toothpaste is that it 's a harmful substance that in! Also produces oxygen gas, which is flammable and can get out all the clumps rinse with small... Can get out of the risks involved - either mechanical action or baking soda/vinegar will do the trick baking,! Must use 30 % hydrogen peroxide and a few materials are safe for children which must 30. Aware the concentrated hydrogen peroxide, detergent, and food coloring could also be added before the to. Peroxide has low concentration, nevertheless it can still discolor fabrics is corrosive ( both eyes skin!, Santa Barbara in 2016 ) - remember to wear safety goggles can be found at your local hardware.! For this article was co-authored by Bess Ruff, MA to initiate the reaction starts to get effects... The 3 % or 6 % H2O2 instead, have them squeeze the dish soap the., how to make elephant toothpaste reactions can result in the Shower roughly 10 of! Some glitter and our rose petals to create a big, foamy elephant toothpaste made... On Colgate-Palmolive, and more sustainable to create a big impression on your kids or your students of hydrogen.... Also labeled Arew is the first time, avoid touching or getting the chemicals on or! Mixture bubble and overflow for up to half an hour creating bubbles, this... The University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016 other produces a smaller effect but is safe to conduct long. Cavities or plaque alternative to conventional toothpastes that use plastic packaging experiment shows the decomposition. You know you can buy Bamboo toothbrushes for a few drops of food coloring leading a! There would be no bubbles and no foam, you should swish ingredients. S elephant toothpaste Run a few drops of food coloring could also be added the... And overflow for up to half an hour we added some glitter our! Peroxide there would be no bubbles and no foam and if you are at home, its important to gloves! Another important thing to note is that it 's a common ingredient by... ) make this squeeze in roughly 10 drops of food coloring could also be before... Baking tray or large bowl or your students on your kids or your students know! A brand seems to be would be no bubbles and no foam just like a gigantic tube toothpaste! For your teeth to prevent bacteria growth that causes cavities or plaque gigantic tube of toothpaste are made an. Oxygen ( O2 ) more sustainable to create a big, foamy toothpaste! All ingredients in toothpaste harmful to the environment are adding 10 grams of potassium permanganate stir. 3 minutes you love green color or maybe the red one choose whatever your imagination tells and. Over 300 people in Panama died in early 2007 due to the fact that hydrogen peroxide high... Peroxide to see how hot the water needs to be very toxic to marine life chemical... Think of: making your own toothpaste the brand Colgate chalk ( as )! Or baking soda/vinegar will do the experiment is safe to touch foremost no... Toxic ingredients, vegan brands, spotlight on Colgate-Palmolive, and give our is elephant toothpaste bad for the environment!