How to make cloudy water?

**um3k** · 09-12-2009,04:52 PM

Hi everyone. I'm making a prop for my Halloween display, it is a shelf with light-up bottles on it. The bottles are lit from below by LEDs built into the shelf. The problem I have now is that I need a way to make the water in the bottles slightly cloudy to diffuse the light. Can anyone recommend a way to do this? I considered milk, but I'm afraid it will spoil. Right now I have soapy water in them for testing.

**Industen** · 09-12-2009,05:06 PM

You can try pool chemicals. I know when I use PH the pool will stay cloudy for a few days. Also power shock does the same thing. You do not need alot, maybe a tablespoon in a 24 oz bottle. If you have a pool then this could be a bonus. A small bottle cost like $10.

**Jess-o-Lantern** · 09-12-2009,05:09 PM

A website that I was looking at for making a bleeding portrait recommended cornstarch to make water less clear. This might work for your needs.

**pdcollins6092** · 09-12-2009,05:16 PM

Just a though, what about using lake water? I know here in Fl. most of the lakes have water that is pretty cloudy.

**UnOrthodOx** · 09-12-2009,06:35 PM

Fabric softener is working for me presently, but I'm also agitating the water with an airstone...I'm not entirely sure if it would eventually settle or not.

Other thoughts include food dye...

**zleviticus** · 09-12-2009,06:40 PM

what about putting some latex/acrylic paint in the bottles. I know after time the particles may settle. However you could easily shake them up each night of the haunt.

**nightrideproductions** · 09-12-2009,09:06 PM

a little plaster of paris, or even flour if you don't need it to last for more than a few days.

**um3k** · 09-13-2009,10:11 AM

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I'll probably do some tests to find out what works best for me. I'll be sure to post the results!

**Toetag** · 09-13-2009,10:25 AM

Cornstarch

**um3k** · 09-16-2009,10:13 AM

Ok, time for an update. The first thing I tried was cornstarch, since a couple people recommended it. It worked well while it lasted, but it settled out of the water much too quickly, a matter of minutes.

Next, my friend tried baking soda, which lasted for about an hour. That would probably work, but isn't optimal.

However, as he was testing baking soda, I tried fabric softener. It works amazingly well, even after 12+ hours, it has barely settled at all! There were some chunks when I first mixed it, but they either settled or dissolved. Here's some test images of fabric softener:

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