How to Preserve Play Dough

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If you’ve just created a Play-Doh masterpiece, you’ll want to admire it for days and weeks to come. Unfortunately, Hasbro doesn’t advise using Play-Doh for permanent creations, as the compound tends to crack over time. [1] While it’s not officially recommended by the company, there are a few at-home methods you can use to preserve your Play-Doh creation for a longer amount of time.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Baking

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  1. You don’t need to toss your Play-Doh into a kiln for it to dry. Some Play-Doh hobbyists recommend using a low oven temperature to preserve your creations. [2]
    • This method works best with small, thin keepsakes, like holiday ornaments.
  2. Set your Play-Doh creation on an oven-safe tray, and set a timer for at least 5 minutes. Then, check on the baked clay to see if it’s hardened. If the clay is firm and hard to the touch, you can display your Play-Doh masterpiece around your home! [3]
    • If your Play-Doh isn’t quite hardened, you might have more luck sealing it.
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  3. Gently press a toothpick against the clay to check the hardness. If the Play-Doh feels soft, leave it in the oven for a couple more minutes. If your Play-Doh creation is hardened, pull it out of the oven so it can cool off.
    • If your Play-Doh sculpture is pretty thick, it might need a little more time in the oven.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Sealing

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  1. Play-Doh is meant to be reused, so the compound is naturally moist and flexible. Before sealing your creation, place it in an open area for at least 1 day so it can air-dry. You might see a white crust forming on the dough—this is totally normal, and is just the salt in the Play-Doh rising to the top. Don’t worry about fixing this, since it isn’t very noticeable. [4]
    • You’ll only be air-drying your Play-Doh for a short amount of time, so it shouldn’t start cracking.
  2. Apply your sealant of choice to the top and sides of your creation first. Then, let the sealant try completely. [5] At this point, coat the other side of your Play-Doh creation with sealant.
    • Some people only seal the parts of their creation that will be visible to the naked eye. [6]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Play Dough
    Pour 1 ⁄ 2   tsp (2.5 mL) or so of water into a small cup. Then, mix 2 drops of school glue into the water. Dip a small, clean paintbrush into the glue mixture and spread it all over your Play-Doh creation. Let the first layer of glue dry completely, and then add a second layer for good measure. [7]
    • If the glaze seems too runny, add another drop or 2 of glue into the mixture.
    • This glue takes about an hour to set, and a full day to cure.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Play Dough
    Coat a small paintbrush with extra glossy Mod Podge, and paint it over the surface of your Play-Doh. Wait 3 days for your Play-Doh to dry, and then add 2 more coats, giving each layer another 3 days to air-dry. [8]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Play Dough
    Grab a bottle of clear nail polish and spread a thin layer over your clay creation. Check the side of the bottle for the recommended drying time. [9]
    • This is a better solution for smaller projects.
    • If your finished project doesn’t look very glossy, you might want to add a second coat of nail polish. [10]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Play Dough
    Dip a small paintbrush into a jar of clear resin. Spread a thin coat of the product all over your Play-Doh, so it’s protected with a nice, hard coating. Scan over the resin bottle to see what the recommended drying time is. [11]
    • Resins are made with a lot of strong chemicals. Always work in a well-ventilated area, and consider wearing a respirator. [12]
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Video

Tips

  • Hasbro recommends using oven curable clay for your long-lasting creations instead of Play-Doh. [13]
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  • Always secure the lid on your Play-Doh once you’re done playing with it. This will keep it fresh for weeks to come! [14]
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  • To be extra safe, bake your Play-Doh first to harden it and then seal it. [15]
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Warnings

  • Don’t use a clear, protective paint to seal your Play-Doh, like a special effects paint. This won’t stick very well to your creation. [17]
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Things You’ll Need

Baking

  • Oven-safe tray
  • Toothpick

Sealing

  • School glue
  • Water
  • Cup
  • Clear nail polish
  • Mod Podge
  • Polyester resin
  • Paintbrush

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References

  1. ↑ https://playdoh.hasbro.com/en-us
  2. ↑ https://theresjustonemommy.com/play-doh-ornaments-craft/
  3. ↑ https://theresjustonemommy.com/play-doh-ornaments-craft/
  4. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fv-9hpCPWU&t=1m15s
  5. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fv-9hpCPWU&t=2m38s
  6. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fv-9hpCPWU&t=2m40s
  7. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=do-ciyw1xBY&t=0m50s
  8. ↑ https://www.thriftyfun.com/Use-Mod-Podge-to-Preserve-Play-Doh-Creations.html
  9. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fv-9hpCPWU&t=1m40s
  1. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fv-9hpCPWU&t=6m4s
  2. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fv-9hpCPWU&t=5m9s
  3. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/reproductive-health/prevention/epoxies-resins.html
  4. ↑ https://playdoh.hasbro.com/en-us
  5. ↑ https://playdoh.hasbro.com/en-us
  6. ↑ https://crafts.stackexchange.com/questions/102/can-air-drying-clay-projects-be-preserved
  7. ↑ https://crafts.stackexchange.com/questions/102/can-air-drying-clay-projects-be-preserved
  8. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fv-9hpCPWU&t=6m10s

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