DIY Slime Creating Elmer's Glue Shortage February 28, 2017 / 12:03 AM EST / CBS Pittsburgh PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- If you're having trouble finding Elmer's Glue these days, we may know the reason.

If you've tried to buy a bottle of Elmer's glue and the store shelves are empty, our science guy Steve Spangler has the reason behind this national shortage.

Elmer's glue (sometimes clear, sometimes white) is the main ingredient for slime, along with water and borax or liquid fabric softener — called "slime activators" in the slime world.

School-grade white glue will render a messy, non-stretchy, not-that-sticky slime, while using extra-strong glue like Elmer’s Glue-All will result in a more malleable, resilient goo.

People inspired by social media to make homemade slime for fun -- and in some cases, profit -- are helping the bottom line of Newell Brands (NWL), the parent of Elmer’s Glue. That’s because ...

The popularity of a craft called "slime" led to a handful of parents seeking out Elmer's Glue, but there wasn't really a "shortage" of the product.

The main ingredient in slime — an undeniably fun, droopy, pliable substance made in a bowl — is white glue such as the kind made by Elmer's.