Easy Ways to Preserve Play Dough: 9 Steps (with Pictures) (2024)

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Co-authored byJanice Tieperman

Last Updated: September 10, 2023Tested

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1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 200°F (93°C). 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.
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   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.

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   See Also

   Homemade Play Dough Kit for KidsHomemade PlaydoughLong-Lasting Homemade Play Dough Recipe - ResearchParent.com

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   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.

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1. 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. 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]
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   Coat the Play-Doh with school glue as an easy, non-toxic solution. Pour ¹⁄₂tsp (2.5mL) 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.
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   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.^[9]

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   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.^[10]

   • 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.^[11]
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   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.^[12]

   • Resins are made with a lot of strong chemicals. Always work in a well-ventilated area, and consider wearing a respirator.^[13]

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