How to Preserve Play Dough

Last Updated: June 23, 2022 References Tested

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]
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Research source} 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

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]
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- 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]
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- If your Play-Doh isn’t quite hardened, you might have more luck sealing it.
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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]
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- If your Play-Doh sculpture is pretty thick, it might need a little more time in the oven.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

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]
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- 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]
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Research source} 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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3
Coat the Play-Doh with school glue as an easy, non-toxic solution. 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.^{[8]
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- 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]
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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]
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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]
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- 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]
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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]
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- Resins are made with a lot of strong chemicals. Always work in a well-ventilated area, and consider wearing a respirator.^{[14]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}

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]
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