To reveal the bubble-producing secret of soap, we'll need to explore the chemistry of soap molecules. When soap molecules mix with water molecules, they tend to separate out small bits of water to form bubbles. Soap molecules have two very different ends: one end attracts water (hydrophilic) and the other end repels water (hydrophobic).

Mix 4.5 c (1.1 L) of water and 0.5 c (120 mL) of liquid hand soap. For a basic bubble solution, simply combine 1 part of liquid hand or dish soap with about 9 parts of water in a medium bowl. If you don’t have liquid hand soap, go ahead and use liquid dish soap, or even liquid body wash, shampoo, or conditioner.

Different oils give different amounts and different types of lathers, so many soap makers turn to sugar to increase the suds. Adding a bit of sugar to a soap recipe can help make a light, bubbly lather with large bubbles when the oils you're using do not lather up as much as you'd like.