Plastic is one of the world’s most commonly used items. It is used in every field and in almost any endeavor. In fact, you will probably find at least five plastic objects from where you are situated right now. This useful material is pretty abundant. You can purchase processed plastic items in most retail stores. Of course, you do not really need to buy it if you can simply make plastic yourself.

A Simpler Take on Plastic

Plastic may seem like a simple object at first glance, but it is actually a complex mixture of elements and compounds. It is created through the processing units of factories. As a regular individual, creating synthetic plastic is definitely a daunting task. Good thing you can create exact replicas using regular items. These simple plastics are called homemade plastics.

Types of Homemade Plastic

Many ingredient combinations are used to create homemade plastic. The ingredients range from food products to simple chemicals.

• Stryofoam Plastic
• Potato Plastic
• Milk and Vinegar Plastic
• Cream and Lemon Juice Plastic

The materials for all types are either readily available or abundant, so you shouldn’t really have a problem gathering them.

Stryofoam Plastic

Initially, styrofoam is a strange item for creating plastic, given its brittle texture. You can alter its properties by soaking it in a strong solvent like acetone. The solvent will melt the styrofoam, turning it into a malleable substance.

Safety Precaution

When creating stryofoam plastic, you must work with all the necessary safety materials. Acetone is a corrosive liquid. It can damage your skin and eyes after prolonged contact. Wear safety goggles, gloves and if possible, a long sleeved shirt when creating the plastic. You should also dispose of acetone properly after creating the plastic. You would not want to harm any of your family members just because of your creation.

Materials Used:

• Slab of styrofoam
• acetone
• thick jar

Procedure:

You might be surprised with the similarity of styrofoam plastic to its manufactured counterpart. The chemical components of real plastic and styrofoam are slightly similar. The acetone provides the chemical reactions necessary to enhance the plastic-like components of styrofoam.

Potato Plastic

A potato is a surprisingly good item for creating plastic. After processing the vegetable, it turns into a tough substance similar to plastic. It can be used to create hard plastic items like bowls and containers. You can also create softer items like potato plastic bags. No chemicals are involved in transforming the potato into a good plastic replica.

Materials Used:

• 2 – 3 potatoes
• 2 tsps vinegar
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 2 cups water
• 2 tsps glycerin
• 5 drops food coloring
• pan
• mixing bowls
• oven
• blender
• peeler
• knife
• spoon
• strainer
• aluminum foil

Procedure:

Potato plastic gradually hardens, so you have to start molding once it’s formed. The plastic is pretty durable but if you are not satisfied, you can always cover it with a layer of plaster or glue.

Milk and Vinegar Plastic

Judging by its name, you have probably guessed that milk and vinegar plastic is composed of curdled milk. Milk solids are initially not sturdy enough to become natural plastic. You have to soak them in vinegar over an extended period if you want them to harden.

Materials Used:

• 1 cup milk
• 3 tsps vinegar
• pot
• wax paper
• measuring cup
• oven
• mixing bowls
• jar
• strainer

Procedure:

Milk and vinegar plastic is not as durable as the previous two types but it is a good material for softer objects like plastic bags or wraps. If you want to use it to create hard items, you can apply hardening agents.

Cream and Lemon Juice Plastic

Cream and lemon juice plastic is the easiest to make among the four plastic types. This deviation of milk and vinegar plastic has fewer processes involved and yields practically the same results. It may not be as refined as the previous plastics but you can create bundles of cream and lemon juice plastic in a jiffy.

Materials Used:

• ½ cup heavy cream
• lemon juice
• mixing bowl
• pot
• strainer
• oven

Procedure:

Cream and lemon juice plastic resembles the previous one since cream is milk based. Only one round of curdling is necessary for this plastic type. Cream has already been processed and thickened initially, and so it shortens the plastic’s creation process. You can also substitute lemon juice with vinegar and you will get the same finished product.

Purchasing plastic as a raw material on the market is actually cheaper than creating any of the homemade types. You can still use the tips given above as art and science projects for your kids or if the need arises. These plastics may not be real necessities, but they’re certainly useful during the right moments.

Watch The Video

How to make Plastic out of Milk & Vinegar

Making Plastic In The Kitchen