How do you make home-made soap bubbles?

[expatkat]

What's the best kind of soap (washing up liquid? shampoo?) and in what proportion to water makes the best soap bubbles? I have to get it just right for ds's "bubble gun," a present from my mom (aargggh!!!!). Have failed so far.

In a book I have it says adding a little glycerine to the bubble mixture made with washing up liquid helps it to form better bubbles that last for longer. But have no idea how much or what proportions - I know the book is somewhere in the kitchen and I cant be bothered going to look right now! I'll have a look in the morning!

For normal sized bubbles we do 1 tablespoon Glycerine to 2 tablespoons of washing-up liquid and 9 fluid oz of water. This works best with soft water so if you're in a hard water area you might want to try distilled water, or collecting rainwater. It suggests here to use 1 part green Fairy Liquid to 1 part glycerol (glycerine) and 8 parts distilled water for super strong/huge bubbles.