Homemade Glue

Most people know that a flour and water mixture is used to make paper mache, but are completely unaware that you can make even regular "Elmer's" glue using three everyday kitchen ingredients.
I discovered this recipe on a solar cooking site, used it successfully in my new and improved solar cooker (plans and pictures coming very soon!) and also in place of regular school glue for crafts and projects.  In scientific tests, this glue has proven to be just as strong as regular white glue, so you don't have to be concerned about its holding power.
This glue is a much cheaper alternative to regular glue. Why not give it a try today?

Project made with homemade glue.

Homemade Glue Recipe

Ingredients
1 cup boiling water
3 tablespoons white flour
4 tablespoons cold water
1 tablespoon sugar

Instructions
1. Put boiling water in a pot.
2. Mix flour and cold water well. Use a whisk to get rid of any clumps.

Flour water mixture.
3. Slowly pour the flour mixture into the hot water, mixing the whole time.


Flour water mixture combined with boiling water.

4. Turn on fire under the pot and heat until mixture thickens. Mix constantly. This should take only a minute or two.
5. Once thick, turn off fire and mix in sugar.
6. Transfer to a container for storage, and then put in the refrigerator.

Finished glue. What remained after doing the above project.
7. Once cool, use as you would any other glue.

Have you ever made homemade glue? What was in yours? Do you think you might ever give this a try?

Penniless Parenting

Mommy, wife, writer, baker, chef, crafter, sewer, teacher, babysitter, cleaning lady, penny pincher, frugal gal

26 Comments

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  1. Hi there,
    I'm going to use this recipe to keep my homemade newspaper seed starter pots "together" until I fill them. thanks! :-)

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  2. Hi there, I was looking for a recipe to make exactly this and I am going to try it straight away. I've liked what I've read in your "about" section. Feel very similar about many things!
    Thanks for sharing!

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  3. I am going to try this right now also! thank you for sharing!

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  4. I am gonna do this for my puzzles that I have all ready put together....

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  5. Just made this with my son for a project the wanted to try but there was no glue in the house, can't wait to see the results

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  6. can this glue be used for wallpaper that is coming loose?

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  7. Where is the sugar step?

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  8. I hope this works

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  9. I made a similar glue years ago with a friend who lived in the outback (Australia) and had three children doing crafty things. The recipe had flour, water, and disinfectant to stop it going mouldy and growing bacteria. She didn't need to keep it in the fridge. I remember stirring it for a very long time, and it became CLEAR instead of the whitish colour in the photo. It was truly awesome.

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    Replies
    1. What kind of disinfectant, pls be more specific

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  10. I made similar glue with a friend years ago, but instead of the sugar it had a tiny bit of disinfectant in it. Only a teaspoon. We stirred it on tbe stove for a really long time and it ended up CLEAR! It was truly awesome, and it didn't need to stay in the fridge. The disinfectant ( antiseptic cleaner ) prevented mould and bacteria growing in it.

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  11. Hi Penny, I used your recipe for my shoe cabinet makeover decoupage and it worked wonderfully. I've written all about it here and linked to your page. Thanks heaps!

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  12. nice recipei
    i will enjoy to make and thanks

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  13. Can this be made wheat free? My child is allergic to wheat and gluten containing grains.

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  14. Can I add gelatin to this recipe?

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  15. I made this to finish up a paper mache project I was working on and it worked great. The project even came out sturdier then the regular white glue and water mixture or just using flour and water. I'm absolutely using this recipe again. Thanks so much for it!

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  16. Does this peel off skin easily?
    I'm very sloppy at painting my nails, and was wondering if I could use this as a base cover around my nail...

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  17. Does this glue work on wooden puzzles. I have a wooden puzzle that needs glue and if not can you recommended a glue I can use.

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  18. Will this do skin peel ting taht looks like skin pele of.

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  19. HELLO! I am doing a research about homemade glue and I am confused about what the purpose of the sugar is...

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  20. I'll be trying this tonight! There's apparently a glue shortage?!

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  21. How do I make restickable glue to use on stick on notes, which I can continue to use and restick around

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  22. What do I do with the sugar??

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