Frequently Asked Questions

Aleene's Tacky Glue is nontoxic and safe for classroom, home, or office use. Make sure to check the label of any glue before using, as all products containing toxic materials are required to print a caution message on all labels.

School glue is a nontoxic, kid-friendly adhesive that is safe for use in the classroom. School glue is often a white glue - also called a PVA Glue or polyvinyl acetate glue - and is nontoxic, odorless, and acid-free.

Yes, Aleene's makes waterproof sealants. Check out Aleene's Spray Acrylic Sealers in matte, gloss, and pearlescent finishes.

Drying time varies depending on the glue formulation, the temperature and humidity, and the amount of glue used. Generally, the thinner the application of glue and the warmer and dryer the climate, the faster the glue will dry. Heat is the most efficient method for getting glue to dry quickly. You can use a blow dryer, a heat lamp, a fan or other accelerator products to help speed up the glue drying process. 

Glue doesn't always have to be applied directly from the bottle; depending on the project and surfaces, sometimes using other tools is better, depending on your goal. Generally, you'll want to use disposable tools that can be thrown away after use since glue can damage the tool or brush. We recommend the following tools for applying glue: sea sponges, cosmetic sponges, toothpicks, inexpensive bristle brushes/paintbrushes, foam brushes, cotton swabs.

There are many reasons why glue might not work as it's supposed to: The surfaces you are trying to glue are dirty or greasy, thus preventing the glue from properly bonding to the surfaces. Make sure the items are clean from visible dirt and debris. PVA and solvent glues work by sinking into the surfaces of the articles being glued and forming a physical bond to lock the pieces together. You might be using the wrong glue for the surfaces you are gluing; check the glue label to see what surfaces it's formulated to adhere to. The glue might need to be applied differently. Make sure to read all instructions before using.

Apply a layer of glue to both substrates to be glued. Do not immediately press together; instead wait about 5 minutes for the glue to tack up so it’s not as slippery. Press the items together. Secure with tape, clamps or clothespins until the glue dries completely.

Glue residue happens. Whether using a Spray Adhesive or if you apply too much glue before pressing your substrates together. Here are a couple of quick ways to address this concern. If the glue is still wet, use a dry paper towel or Q-tip to remove most of the excess, then clean away with a damp, soapy cloth. If the glue has dried, you can try peeling or rubbing it away by carefully scraping it from the surface with a knife or razor blade or using a glue remover product like Goo Gone. All Tacky and water-based adhesives can be removed with an all-natural, biodegradable citrus-based cleaner. For solvent-based adhesives, we recommend trying acetone (found in nail polish remover), rubbing alcohol (85% or higher), or mineral spirits.

Aleene's Insta-Fuse Fabric Fusion is the only product in the line that is dry cleanable. Chemicals used in most dry cleaning processes will weaken or dissolve most other glues and weaken the bond.

Temporary glue can be used as a resistor on fabric. Note: Permanent fabric glue will dry permanently on the fabric and should not be used. Here is how to use glue as a resist:

1. Apply the glue to the fabric in the design of your choice.
2. Allow the glue to dry completely on the fabric, becoming rigid and clear.
3. Paint or dye the fabric in the colors of your choice.
4. Allow the fabric to dry completely after applying the dye/paint.
5. Soak the fabric in warm water for 20 to 30 minutes to soften the glue.
6. Wash the fabric by hand or machine in warm, soapy water to remove the remaining glue.

Tip: Aleene's Clear Gel Tacky Glue makes a great resist on fabric.

Yes. Aleene's has several clay recipes using Original Tacky Glue and everyday household items. Here is how to make clay with glue and bread:

1. Remove the crust from a slice of bread (white bread is suggested for best results when coloring the clay).
2. Tear the bread slice into small pieces and place in a disposable plastic bag, then add 1 tablespoon of Tacky Glue.
3. Add a few drops of acrylic paint to color the clay if desired. Clay can also be painted after drying. Knead the bread and glue within the bag until thoroughly mixed and clay forms.
4. Remove the clay from the bag and knead until fully formed. Note: if the mixture is too runny, add more bread pieces in small amounts. Use clay to make the desired item, then let dry overnight.
5. Paint with acrylic paint if desired, let it dry, then seal it with your favorite Aleene's Acrylic Sealer.

Aleene's Original Tacky Glue can create crackled effects on surfaces. Here is how to create a crack effect using glue:

1. Paint the object with a base coat of acrylic paint. Let dry.
2. Brush an abundant layer of Tacky Glue over the dried paint in the areas you want to crackle. Let the glue set until firm and tacky but not completely dry.
3. While the layer of glue is still sticky, brush the same color of paint or a contrasting color over the glue, brushing only once instead of back and forth, as that could hinder the crackling process.
4. As the paint and glue dry, they will naturally crackle. Let dry completely.
5. Protect your project with your favorite Aleene's Acrylic Sealer.

Here is how to make cheesecloth ghosts with Aleene's Fabric Stiffener glue:

1. You can form ghosts with balloons, foam balls, or other circular dimensional objects. If you are using a non-disposable object, you can protect the surface with plastic wrap or a plastic bag.
2. Cut desired swatch size from cheesecloth.
3. Pour Fabric Stiffener into a disposable bowl, and wearing gloves, dip cheesecloth swatches in the liquid to saturate. Wring out the excess.
4. Drape saturated cheesecloth over circular object and let dry.
5. Remove from form.
6. Glue on facial features or use paint to create. Fabric Stiffener can also be thinned with water up to a 50/50 ratio and tinted with acrylic paint.

It depends on the surfaces you are gluing. Check glue labels to verify what surfaces they are formulated to work best on (ex. wood, plastic, glass, porcelain). In general, you want a glue that is formulated to dry permanently with a strong hold. For outdoor items, we recommend adhesives that are weather proof and UV proof.

Aleene's makes several adhesives that are great for gluing plastic to wood. Aleene's DIY Craft Super Glue Gel is an industrial-strength glue that bonds in seconds and can be used on a variety of heavy duty surfaces, including plastic and wood. Another heavy duty glue that you can trust for gluing plastic to wood is The Ultimate Multi-Surface Adhesive.

We recommend using Aleene's DIY Craft Super Glue Gel to glue rubber to plastic. This industrial-strength, all-purpose glue works on a variety of heavy duty surfaces, such as rubber, plastic, glass, metal, fiberglass and more.

To find an International Distributor, please contact us at info@aleenes.com. We can connect you, based on your country.

For wholesale, please visit shop.ilovetocreate.com