How to Speed Drying Time for Elmer's Glue

Getting your Elmer's glue project to dry a little faster takes just a little preparation.

Elmer's glue is a staple in many households and classrooms. The white glue is a familiar product for sticking together almost anything craft-related, such as googly eyes, feathers, glitter and construction-paper creatures. Often in classroom situations, time is limited for projects and no one wants to send home a project still dripping with wet glue. Here are some tips to help speed up the drying time for your Elmer's glue creations.

Things You'll Need

• Dehumidifier
• Small fan
• String
• Clothespins
• Blow-dryer

Instructions

1. Create your projects in the ideal environment, if possible. A room warmed to at least 70 degrees will help the glue dry at its optimal rate. The ingredients in glue will dry more slowly in a cold room.

2. Reduce the humidity in the room to speed drying times. Plug in a dehumidifier in the room. Moisture in the air will keep the glue wet longer.

3. Monitor the amount of glue used to create the projects. Children have a tendency to apply a large amount of glue to their projects. A very small amount of glue spread thinly is generally enough to adhere two pieces of paper together. Less glue means faster drying.

4. Prepare a drying area. Tie a string to two chairs with several feet between them, from the ends of a chalkboard or from the ceiling if possible. Use clothespins to attach projects to hang to dry.

5. Use a small fan to blow air around the drying area. Air flow will dry the glue faster. Be careful not to set the fan on a high setting; this may damage the projects.

6. Dry the glue with a blow-dryer if speed-drying is a necessity. Use a low setting on the dryer, and take care not to put the heat too close to the project. Drying glue too fast can cause it to shrink and crack.

References

• Elmer's: Elmer's Glue All
• Elmer's: FAQ