1
Put on gloves and goggles. The concentrated hydrogen peroxide used in this experiment will burn the skin and eyes. It can also bleach fabric, so choose your clothing with that in mind.
2
Pour 4 tsp (20 ml) of 30% hydrogen peroxide into a graduated cylinder. This hydrogen peroxide is stronger than any household peroxide. Be sure to handle with care and make sure the graduated cylinder is set on a stable location.
3
Add 3 drops of food coloring. Play with the food dye for fun effects. Create fun patterns and color variations. To make the final product striped, tilt the graduated cylinder and drip food coloring down the sides.
4
Add about 2 1⁄2 US tbsp (37 ml) of dish soap and swirl it to mix. Add a small layer of liquid dish soap by pouring it into the solution down the side of the cylinder. You can also use powdered dish soap but be sure to mix the solution thoroughly.
5
Add the potassium iodide to the solution and quickly stand back! Using a spatula, add the potassium iodide to create the chemical reaction. You can also dissolve the potassium iodide in water in a vial before adding to the solution. Large colored foam will rise out of the cylinder.
6
Test for the presence of oxygen. Place a glowing wood splint near the foam and watch it reignite as the oxygen is released from the emerging foam.
7
Clean up. Flush the remaining solution down the drain using plenty of water. Make sure all glowing wood splints are out and there are no open flames. Close and store the hydrogen peroxide and potassium iodide.