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

  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.
  2. 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.
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  3. 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.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Sealing

  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]
  3. 3
    Coat the Play-Doh with school glue as an easy, non-toxic solution. Pour 12  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]
    • 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. 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. 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. 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]
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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.[19]
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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

About This Article

Janice Tieperman
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Janice is a professional and creative writer who has worked at wikiHow since 2019. With both a B.A. and M.A. in English from East Stroudsburg University, she has a passion for writing a wide variety of content for anyone and everyone. In her free time, you can find her working on a new crochet pattern, listening to true crime podcasts, or tackling a new creative writing project. This article has been viewed 46,238 times.
39 votes - 89%
Co-authors: 6
Updated: June 23, 2022
Views: 46,238
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