How to Preserve Play Dough

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.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Baking

1. Preheat the oven to . 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. Bake your Play-Doh for 5-10 minutes. 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.
3. Check the Play-Doh with a toothpick and let it cool. 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.^[4]
   
   • If your Play-Doh sculpture is pretty thick, it might need a little more time in the oven.

[Edit]Sealing

1. Air-dry the Play-Doh for 1-3 days before sealing it. 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.^[5]
   
   • You’ll only be air-drying your Play-Doh for a short amount of time, so it shouldn’t start cracking.
2. Seal your Play-Doh creation in sections to prevent sticking. Apply your sealant of choice to the top and sides of your creation first. Then, let the sealant try completely.^[6] 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.^[7]
3. Coat the Play-Doh with school glue as an easy, non-toxic solution. Pour 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.^[8]
   
   
   • 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.^[9]
4. Spread a layer of Mod Podge on your creation so it looks glossy. 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.^[10]
   
   
5. Cover the Play-Doh with clear nail polish for a fast-drying option. 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.^[11]
   
   
   • 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.^[12]
6. Paint on 1 coat of polyester resin to make your Play-Doh extra shiny. 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.^[13]
   
   
   • Resins are made with a lot of strong chemicals. Always work in a well-ventilated area, and consider wearing a respirator.^[14]

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Hasbro recommends using oven curable clay for your long-lasting creations instead of Play-Doh.^[15]
• Always secure the lid on your Play-Doh once you’re done playing with it. This will keep it fresh for weeks to come!^[16]
• If your Play-Doh is looking a bit dried out and worse for wear, there are a few ways to revive it.
• To be extra safe, bake your Play-Doh first to harden it and then seal it.^[17]
• Some hobbyists recommend coating your project with a traditional varnish. Don’t use a spray varnish, though—some of the chemicals might damage your Play-Doh creation.^[18]

[Edit]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.^[19]

[Edit]Things You’ll Need

[Edit]Baking

• Oven-safe tray
• Toothpick

[Edit]Sealing

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

[Edit]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://askinglot.com/can-you-cook-play-dough-in-the-oven
5. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fv-9hpCPWU&t=1m15s
6. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fv-9hpCPWU&t=2m38s
7. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fv-9hpCPWU&t=2m40s
8. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=do-ciyw1xBY&t=0m50s
9. ↑ https://www.adhesives.org/adhesives-sealants/adhesive-selection/types-of-glue-glue-tips
10. ↑ https://www.thriftyfun.com/Use-Mod-Podge-to-Preserve-Play-Doh-Creations.html
11. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fv-9hpCPWU&t=1m40s
12. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fv-9hpCPWU&t=6m4s
13. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fv-9hpCPWU&t=5m9s
14. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/repro/epoxiesresins.html
15. ↑ https://playdoh.hasbro.com/en-us
16. ↑ https://playdoh.hasbro.com/en-us
17. ↑ https://crafts.stackexchange.com/questions/102/can-air-drying-clay-projects-be-preserved
18. ↑ https://crafts.stackexchange.com/questions/102/can-air-drying-clay-projects-be-preserved
19. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fv-9hpCPWU&t=6m10s