There are a lot of recipes on the internet for how to make homemade Mod Podge – here are all of the good reasons NOT to do it yourself.
I get a lot of questions about how to make Mod Podge, and I’ve seen a lot of it on Pinterest recently, so I wanted to address with a blog post. Interestingly enough, I have been asked these questions for years.
Homemade Mod Podge
I should start by saying this is not a paid endorsement – no person or company asked me to post this, or even knows I’m doing it.
I don’t make money off the sale of Mod Podge. And while my blog might be all about Mod Podge, I get visitors using all types of decoupage mediums (Mod Podge isn’t available in every country).
I just don’t want you to be disappointed. Because in my experience, you should NOT make your own Mod Podge.
The truth is, I’ve gotten MANY e-mails from people (with pictures) who tried to make Mod Podge. These emails ask me why their photo/furniture/gift project is yellowing/flaking/peeling and what they can do.
With further prompting, I find out that they made a glue concoction on their own by adding water to flour, or something along those lines.
Mod Podge is a step above craft glue in terms of the sealing properties. Mod Podge is glue, but it’s also a sealer – and there are varnishes, etc. in the formula that don’t exist in craft glues.
The bonding properties of Mod Podge are way stronger than that of (most) craft or school glues.
Can you use Elmer’s glue instead of Mod Podge?
I get asked this question a lot too. Long story short, the ingredients in Mod Podge are not the same as craft glue, and in 99% of cases are superior. That is why Mod Podge costs more than craft glue.
And that is why it lasts longer and is more durable on projects.
A lot of the homemade recipes take craft glue and dilute it with water, which is just about the worst thing you can do to make a decoupage medium of any sort.
You’re taking a glue that is inferior to decoupage medium and made it even thinner by adding water.
This is why I receive pictures all the time of ruined furniture or home decor items that didn’t last more than a few years before the paper started peeling off or yellowing BADLY.
In the short term, the projects might seem okay, but over the years, the projects go down the toilet. And then I get very sad emails.
Decoupage medium is more expensive than glue, but you’ll notice on the glue aisle of any craft store that there is a wide range of pricing depending on what the specific glue does. The more specialty the application, the more it’s going to cost.
Mod Podge might be more expensive than glue and water, but the 8 oz. bottle lasts a long time, and you can always use a 40% coupon (do an online search to find them).
Of course I think it’s worth it – but I also have the proof: jewelry, home decor items and furniture that have been around for years and still look as great as the day they were made.
What can be used instead of Mod Podge?
If you aren’t sure where to get Mod Podge, I have a list here. For international distributors, go here.
If you just can’t find Mod Podge where you live, look for PVA glue. It’s about the closest you can get. Frequently craft and art stores have PVA glue, but you may have to call around.
I hope my information here helps. And I hope that if you want the project to last, you won’t take the risk and make Mod Podge – that you’ll use the real thing!
If you’re a newbie or can’t figure out how to get rid of wrinkles, check out my learn-how article and videos. You can also learn about ALL the decoupage formulas in my formula guide.
I love modpodge when I can get it . I live in Australia and can’t get all the types of modpodge you show . In frustration I have tried others but Very disappointed. Would love to find it here please help ☹️
Great post! I just Googled “diy mod podge” (I’m running low and remember seeing a diy in passing) and your post popped up. This is good, straight to the point info. I’m going to go out and buy the real stuff. Thank you!
Hi Amy,
I’m so glad I found this blog entry. I am getting ready to breathe new life into an old file cabinet. This will be the first project of its kind for me. So….In doing some ‘research’ on mod podge, decoupage, hodge podge (lol) I came across your website. Great site! Useful information for a newbie ‘podger’ like me!
PS Sock monkeys rock!
Laura
I just opened my modge podge and it looks like a big ball of dough. What can I do to thin it out again?
Hi Crystal! How old is it? All acrylic products (and Mod Podge is acrylic) have a shelf life. You should throw out and buy new.
I make my own modge podge with flour, sugar, and water. I wallpapered my office with brown paper bags, and it looks great!
Isn’t that called “paper mache”? Just did this with my high school art class (except used salt so it wouldn’t mildew).
My mod podge stash which I got from the US thro a friend(I live in India) is almost done and I was tempted to try the home made version! Now to wait for someone else to go to the US..
I’m in the exact same predicament. I live in Bolivia and can’t get modge podge :o( Was thinking about making my own until I ran across this post. Guess I will have to put that on my wish list for a care package or a friend to bring back from U.S.
I personally find the taste of Mod Podge to be much more appealing than watered down glue. Mod Podge just has that glue-y pastey flavor that you just can’t beat. I always grab the MP when I need a quick snack. 🙂 xoxo
Bahaha! You nut 🙂
Amen to the fact that MP last forever! Sure it’s a little buggery at the end of the bottle, just pick all that jazz out…
I think the problems may arise when there is no sealer applied. I can’t see what it would hurt to use the glue/water IF you were going to cover it with sealer. After all, if you are sealing it, the mod podge or glue mixture is just attaching it to the surface. Also, as far as the flour is concerned in one recipe, flour DOES have glue like properties. I have read where they used to use flour and water as a glue in the past to glue plates together when they break. (Maybe in the “old days”) Also, I think glue from 20 years ago was much better. I made a wooden tray a long time ago before I knew what mod podge was. I used Elmer’s Glue (full strength) and brushed several layers over my pictures, cut out from a calendar. It is still beautiful today. But some projects I made recently with Elmer’s Glue have already started peeling off the surfaces they were attached to. I still love mod podge, and will use it, but I just wanted to share my thoughts…
Jan Jones
I have to weigh in on this one…Modge is great for paper projects, however for fabric, the watered down glue is fine. I used white school glue diluted slightly with water to adhere fabric cutouts to glass mason jars that are used as candle holders. I soaked the fabric cutouts in the glue/water mix, put them on the jars, used an rag to wipe of excess. When dry I sealed with an acrylic sealer as they also had been painted with craft paint. This was in 1998! They are still in perfect condition, no yellowing, the cut outs have not come loose.
Lisa, while you may have had success, several of the destroyed projects I have seen have used fabric. I absolutely stand by what I said and do not recommend it – especially for wear and tear items like furniture. There’s no reason to take the chance when a bottle of Mod Podge is not that expensive.
I am new to decoupaging. I’ve been considering elmers glue. I’m so glad I found this cause I’d hate to spend the time and than not have
it last. Thanks!
@Amy Anderson, Expect IT IS “that expensive” when you don’t live on the North American continent…
Followed this post from a comment on another thread with DIY glue recipes/recommendations. TY for the warnings! Yes, it’s not worth losing a nice piece of art you’ve created to save a $1 or 2. Sometimes, DIY is NOT the way to go.