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How to make Homemade Mod Podge

May 9, 2019

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Learn how to make mod podge for your craft projects. It is so easy and homemade mod podge will save a ton of money.

Learn how to make mod podge. You have to try this easy homemade mod podge recipe with only 2 easy ingredients. So simple!

Homemade Mod Podge

I love being crafty and most of the time those crafty projects require the use of a magical product called Mod Podge. I love Mod Podge and it can be used on so many surfaces making it easy to work with, but it can be quite expensive.

If you do a lot of crafting like we do, you know just how quickly it can add up. It does not take long and you have spent a small fortune on mod podge.

My bottle of Mod Podge was getting low so I decided to try to whip up my own batch of Homemade Mod Podge. It turned out perfect.

How to make mod podge

With the use of glue and water you’ll be on your way to a Homemade Mod Podge that costs $1.00 instead of $9.00. You really can’t get much cheaper than this.

You will not believe how simple this is! I don’t know why they charge so much for this at the craft store.

It literally takes just 2 ingredients to make this homemade mod podge. So easy!

Learn how to make mod podge. You have to try this easy homemade mod podge recipe with only 2 easy ingredients. So simple!

What you need for Homemade Mod Podge recipe:

  • ½ Pint Mason Jar with lid
  • 1 Bottle washable glue, 6 oz.
  • 1/3 cup water
Learn how to make mod podge. You have to try this easy homemade mod podge recipe with only 2 easy ingredients. So simple!

Watch my video on how easy mod podge is to make:

 

How to make homemade mod podge:

1. Grab your ½ pint mason jar and remove the lid. Pour an entire 6 oz. bottle of washable kids glue to fill up the mason jar.

2. Now grab your cup of water and pour it on top of your glue. Apply your lid to the mason jar and shake it for a good minute.

Learn how to make mod podge. You have to try this easy homemade mod podge recipe with only 2 easy ingredients. So simple!

3. By shaking it up you’ll be mixing the contents together which is creating our Homemade Mod Podge.

Learn how to make mod podge. You have to try this easy homemade mod podge recipe with only 2 easy ingredients. So simple!

4. Remove the lid, dip in your paint brush and get crafty. Enjoy.

  Now you know how to make mod podge!

It is SO easy! I remember the first time I made this and I just could not get over how simple it was to make it.

Plus, I knew how much money I spent buying this at the store. Get started today and save money and time!

It is a win all around.

Learn how to make mod podge. You have to try this easy homemade mod podge recipe with only 2 easy ingredients. So simple!

That is it! It really is that easy to make homemade mod podge!

No need to spend a fortune on store bought Mod Podge when you can make it at home. Can I get a woo-hoo? 🙂

Mod podge is so handy and acts almost like an acrylic sealer. This is one of our favorite recipes for homemade mod podge and works just as well as any store bought version.

The only difference is all the money you will be saving from purchasing it at the craft store. Mod podge recipes are easy and you are going to love this homemade version!

Some people call it decoupage glue because modge podge just does so many things. It is great to have on hand if you are a crafty person.

 

Now that you know how to make homemade mod podge, you will save so much money!

You can also learn how to make glue. We love DIY projects that save us time and money!

We are always experimenting with white glue and making something. 🙂

Learn how to make mod podge. You have to try this easy homemade mod podge recipe with only 2 easy ingredients. So simple!

Get started today making homemade mod podge!

Once you give it a try, I bet you will never buy store bought mod podge again. We always make our own now that we know how simple it is.

Have you tried anything new lately? We love new craft ideas so please share in the comments.

We have so much fun making new things and it is amazing how much money you can save. We safe time and have a good time making these things as well.

It is easy enough for the kids to help. Get the entire family involved and have a blast spending this time together.

We all love craft projects and DIY ideas. The kids have a blast and we are making lasting memories.

The time spent together is so much fun and we love thinking about what our next project will be.

Let us know how your homemade mod podge turns out.

I’m certain that once you make this, you will love it. Make sure to also come back and tell us about the projects you complete using your homemade mod podge.

So fun! Crafting is just the best and when I can save money and make it even more simple, it just makes my day!

Homemade mod podge is one of those things and I can’t believe I waited this long to try it!

Now that you know how to make mod podge at home, it is so quick and easy! 

Get started today and make your own mod podge. The savings will really add up.

You are going to love how easy these home ingredients are to make homemade mod podge.

Once you make this, you will see how easy it is and that it takes just minutes to put make.

Learn how to make floam! Your kids will be amazed and have a blast making this.

Learn how to make Homemade Playdough Recipes that your kids will go crazy over. It so easy to make homemade playdough and you can easily make scented, edible, glitter and more varieties of playdough at home!

It is so easy and frugal to make homemade bubbles and your kids will have a blast.

There are tons of fun and frugal activities to do with your kids. Get started today and let us know how everything turns out.

More Fun Ideas for Kids:

  • Easy Homemade Playdough Recipes 
  • Easy Kid’s Valentine Cards They Can Make at Home
  • 25 Boredom Busters for Kids (to do indoors)
  • Tissue Paper Crafts for Kids
  • 10 Fall Activities for Kids 
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  • 20 Easy Summer Paper Plate Crafts for Kids
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  • Valentine’s Day Homemade Slime
  • how to make slime for kids that is calming
  • how to make floam

Filed Under: DIY, For Kids carrie 108 Comments

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Comments

  1. Zagy vega says

    April 1, 2017 at 10:32 pm

    Woo-hoo!!

    Reply
    • Jacki says

      July 26, 2019 at 4:58 pm

      Add wee drop of oil based varnish, and you have washable mod podge too, great eh

      Reply
      • Kat says

        January 31, 2021 at 4:31 pm

        But washable school glue while safe for the kiddos isn’t waterproof.

        Reply
    • Zelma Newell says

      June 19, 2020 at 12:46 pm

      Is this recipe good for making fabric stiff permanently?

      Reply
      • carrie says

        June 24, 2020 at 7:35 am

        I haven’t used it for that before so I’m not sure.

        Reply
        • L.T. says

          April 12, 2021 at 3:16 pm

          Does this work well to decoupage furniture like old cedar chests that the veneer has come off? How durable would it be long term on furniture in a very humid environment such as swampy Louisiana? Could I decoupage old furniture with it using fabric instead of paper?

          Reply
          • carrie says

            April 13, 2021 at 8:48 am

            I’m not sure as I haven’t used this recipe on furniture yet. I recommend testing it on a smaller piece to make sure that you’ll get the results that you prefer before using on larger pieces of furniture. Let us know how it works out!

      • Tammy says

        December 16, 2020 at 10:41 am

        How long does it last in the jar?

        Reply
        • carrie says

          December 17, 2020 at 8:51 am

          It will last as long as the expiration date on the glue that you use to create it which can be up to 2 years. Thanks!

          Reply
    • Diane says

      December 6, 2020 at 3:08 pm

      Do you use this to put pictures on wood ..

      Reply
      • carrie says

        December 8, 2020 at 8:14 am

        I have used this before over pictures and it worked great!

        Reply
  2. Maureen says

    April 2, 2017 at 10:23 pm

    Made it and it worked great.

    Reply
  3. Cindy Howery says

    May 8, 2017 at 12:43 pm

    Will Elmer’s Glue-All work? Instead of school glue?

    Reply
    • carrie says

      February 15, 2019 at 2:43 pm

      Cindy – Yes, it should work great!

      Reply
      • Cheryl says

        July 5, 2021 at 7:19 am

        Just wondering if Elmers clear glue would work? If I use the white Elmers glue does it dry glossy or matte?
        Thank you

        Reply
        • carrie says

          July 6, 2021 at 7:58 am

          You will need a white glue for this recipe. I haven’t tried it with clear glue so I’m not sure if that would work correctly or not. Elmer’s glue will dry with a matte finish. If you try the clear glue, please let me know if it works!

          Reply
  4. Lucy says

    June 2, 2017 at 8:44 am

    Love Pinterest and all the wonderful things it can teach me.
    I had heard of Modge Podge but as I live in Spain, couldn’t buy it. The I thought I would lookon Pinterest, and Wow I found You. Thank you so much Carrie. x x x

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      December 27, 2019 at 1:57 am

      I will definitely be trying this! I go through so much Mod Podge!

      Reply
  5. Dawn says

    June 3, 2017 at 10:51 am

    Thanks so much for the great ideas.

    Reply
  6. Rebecca says

    July 8, 2017 at 8:08 am

    Thank you for the great advise.

    Reply
  7. Carol says

    July 8, 2017 at 10:33 pm

    One thing I would do is pour the water in the glue bottle before I add it to the jar and that way get even more glue out of the bottle. Or leave the bottle upside down draining before finishing it off. I am all about getting every last drop out of bottles that I can.

    Reply
  8. Mona says

    July 9, 2017 at 12:41 am

    Thanks a lot …I will definitely try this… Supper excited to do this project .. the idea of using mod podge for pictures transfer on woods it’s really awesome ..N innovative…I like it…

    Reply
  9. Dorothy says

    July 9, 2017 at 8:14 am

    How about waterproof for pots doing a project with children

    Reply
  10. Angela Disla says

    August 23, 2017 at 6:28 am

    Super easy. Love it

    Reply
  11. Penelope says

    August 23, 2017 at 9:40 am

    Thank you so much!! That stuff iiis pricey💃

    Reply
  12. Camille Caggiano says

    August 24, 2017 at 1:39 pm

    Love your low-budget, easy to do diy projects! Wow! The diversity of themes are awesome! Thank you for sharing! God bless ya!

    Reply
  13. Emma Jean Wike says

    August 24, 2017 at 5:51 pm

    WOO-HOO, I feel like I’ve paid for their company. Works great. Thank you so much, Jean

    Reply
  14. JoAnn says

    September 28, 2017 at 2:55 pm

    THANKS !!!!I do alot of crafts and this will SAVE alot of money- YAHOO Big Hugs

    Reply
  15. Sandy Perchez says

    October 21, 2017 at 10:17 am

    Thx sooo much!!
    I do so much crafting w/ my grand dghtrs..so whenever I can save $$ I’m happy.
    Thk u so very much!!

    Reply
  16. vERONICA says

    October 23, 2017 at 3:32 am

    Well I have put off doing a lot of craft because Mod podge was so expensive, but not anymore . Thank you for the hint.

    Reply
  17. Sandra Hartmann says

    October 27, 2017 at 3:26 am

    Hello from switzerland 🙂

    i really like your idea to make homemade mod podge. i got a question about it 🙂

    Did you ever tried to transfer a photo onto wood, done with homemade mod podge? does it work?

    thanx for you answer!!!!

    kindly regards, sandra

    Reply
    • Clotilde says

      August 28, 2020 at 1:48 pm

      I did and it really works.

      Reply
      • carrie says

        August 31, 2020 at 4:58 pm

        Awesome!

        Reply
  18. kathie says

    December 1, 2017 at 9:18 am

    love this I use mod podge a lot! thank you.

    Reply
  19. Karen Reilly says

    December 3, 2017 at 6:01 am

    I’m going to my local d I.y. store to buy this glue and make it in bulk i make lots of candles and painted wine bottles with napkins on them this great tip will save me a fortune thanks so much😊

    Reply
  20. Deb says

    December 16, 2017 at 10:11 am

    Wow, this came along at just the right time! I was down to the last 1/4″ of my Mod Podge, 11 p.m., and needed to finish a project! Thanks for this! So simple and so economical. Now I can make my own Mod Podge any time.

    Reply
  21. Jacqueline Hollis says

    December 16, 2017 at 4:31 pm

    Woo-hoo!! Thank you for this!
    I can’t find it on line here in the UK and this will save me a small fortune!
    I decoupage and get through a ton of glue…thanks!

    Reply
    • Driekie says

      August 13, 2018 at 12:22 pm

      Whoo hooo … Thank you!!!

      Reply
  22. Dee says

    December 31, 2017 at 5:54 pm

    Thank you. Could this be used instead of puzzlecoat or puzzle glue? Can it be applied in several coats like ModPodge?

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      June 18, 2018 at 1:49 pm

      I have been gluing puzzles together with glue alone for always! so modge podge would def work.

      Reply
  23. Dee says

    December 31, 2017 at 5:57 pm

    What is ratio of glue to h2o? Is that 4 oz glue bottle? Most are three or four oz.

    Reply
    • Pam says

      January 3, 2019 at 3:11 pm

      3 parts blue to 1 part water is what I use.

      Reply
  24. May says

    January 4, 2018 at 12:08 pm

    Hi Carrie. I’m from SouthAfrica and I thank you for showing me how to make home made modge podge. It is very expensive here. Bless you.

    Reply
    • Rikke says

      August 19, 2018 at 2:45 am

      Which glue did you use?

      Reply
  25. Tracy says

    January 7, 2018 at 9:37 am

    You saved my life. Thanks for this.

    Reply
  26. Carol Harper says

    January 9, 2018 at 5:44 pm

    My I suggest the water first be put into the empty glue bottle to rince out the remaining glue, then added to the 1/2 pint jar with the glue.

    Reply
  27. Joy says

    January 22, 2018 at 7:19 pm

    What size bottle glue do you use?

    Reply
  28. Francine Miranda says

    January 30, 2018 at 1:38 am

    Many woo-hoos!!!! I knew Modge Podge smelled just like white glue, but never thought to try recreating it. You’ve saved us all some big bucks. Kudos!

    Reply
  29. Maryann says

    April 12, 2018 at 5:27 pm

    I have just started making paper beads. Everything has a coat of mod podge on it. Thanks for the receipe.

    Reply
  30. Gabriela says

    April 20, 2018 at 11:50 am

    woo hooo¡¡¡ muchas gracias, en verdad sera de gran ahorro y ademas no es facil estar yendo a las tiendas a conseguirlo.

    Reply
    • Patty says

      September 13, 2020 at 2:05 pm

      How did you put the check fabric on the picnic basket? Did you brush the Mod Podge on the lid of the basket and then place the fabric on the top? How did you line the basket , with Mod Podge?

      Reply
  31. Neil says

    May 17, 2018 at 1:18 pm

    WoooHoooo…. 👍🏼
    That’s super quick & super easy…. Thanx a ton…!

    Reply
  32. Joyce says

    May 24, 2018 at 10:41 pm

    Now i can make my own modpode. As i need it. It coast so much. To buy it. Its $ 10 :99 to buy at hobby Lobby. But they do the 40% percent off though

    Reply
  33. Mary says

    August 3, 2018 at 11:22 am

    Put Vaseline around the outside of the jar where the lid goes on and the inside of the lid. It won’t get stuck.

    Reply
    • Beata says

      August 19, 2018 at 3:28 pm

      Thx, good idea 🙂

      Reply
    • Diane says

      November 7, 2018 at 4:33 pm

      Brillant idea.💜

      Reply
  34. Julie says

    September 4, 2018 at 9:57 pm

    This is fabulous. Thanks for sharing. Woot woot!!!

    Reply
  35. Donna says

    October 27, 2018 at 12:43 am

    Thanks so much for that awesome tip!!!! Trying to make crafts to sell to pay some bills! I also enjoy this kind of stuff. Your tip will help me a lot! I appreciate that so much!!!

    Reply
  36. Louise says

    January 7, 2019 at 1:56 pm

    Can I ask if this can be used as a sealant too? I’m a decoupage novice

    Reply
    • carrie says

      February 23, 2019 at 2:23 pm

      Louise – Yes, it’s great to use as a sealant for pictures and various craft project! 🙂

      Reply
      • NATALIE says

        October 11, 2019 at 2:05 am

        Will pva glue work please

        Reply
        • carrie says

          October 25, 2019 at 5:21 pm

          Yes, I think it would work great.

          Reply
  37. Wilma Marques says

    January 22, 2019 at 7:49 pm

    Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, thank you so much.Perfect!!!!

    Reply
  38. Raya says

    April 14, 2019 at 9:58 pm

    Just wondering if this works for mugs and is it dishwasher safe?

    Reply
    • carrie says

      April 22, 2019 at 9:39 am

      Raya – It’s not dishwasher safe since it’s water base so I would not use this on mugs. Thank you.

      Reply
  39. Cassie says

    May 20, 2019 at 12:08 pm

    Mom did this with us as kids 40+ years ago. Still use it today. If you mix equal parts of white school glue and water, you have the equivalent of Stiffy brand fabric stiffener as well as a thinned Modge Podge as there are times when the Modge Podge is better thin than normal consistency.

    Reply
  40. rap says

    June 9, 2019 at 8:15 am

    For Vacation Bible School, we used to mix Elmers Glue-all and water to do this. We used it to mount posters to foam board or Styrofoam insulation panels for display.

    Reply
  41. Anonymous says

    July 19, 2019 at 3:52 am

    I was wondering if you could make this with home made glue???

    Reply
    • carrie says

      July 22, 2019 at 3:00 pm

      I haven’t tried that before but I don’t see why not!

      Reply
  42. Teresa Cowan says

    August 10, 2019 at 10:36 pm

    Love using ModgePodge, now I can make my own! Thank you!

    Reply
    • carrie says

      August 15, 2019 at 5:01 pm

      You’re welcome Teresa!

      Reply
  43. Linda says

    September 18, 2019 at 8:31 am

    I just painted some old furniture with a latex based .. Can I now decoupage with this glue on top of that paint?

    Reply
    • carrie says

      October 25, 2019 at 5:29 pm

      I wouldn’t use this on furniture. This works best for craft projects. Thank you.

      Reply
  44. Marie Martin says

    October 13, 2019 at 11:38 am

    How can I make glossy mod podge? I make the home made stuff but would like a glossy one too. Thanks.

    Reply
    • carrie says

      October 25, 2019 at 5:21 pm

      I’m not sure, I haven’t made a glossy one before. Thank you.

      Reply
  45. mark s says

    October 14, 2019 at 8:45 am

    Does this work on wood and does it dry clear?

    Reply
    • carrie says

      October 25, 2019 at 5:20 pm

      Yes, this works on wood and it does dry clear. Thank you.

      Reply
  46. Starr says

    October 24, 2019 at 5:56 pm

    Can’t wait to try! Thank you!!

    Reply
  47. Val says

    November 20, 2019 at 1:02 am

    Thank you so much, just finished making photo ornaments with my grand girls. Works just as well as the original and a way lot cheaper.
    Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    • carrie says

      March 27, 2020 at 9:48 pm

      I’m glad you loved it!

      Reply
  48. Grammy Paul says

    December 10, 2019 at 8:29 am

    Can we use fevicol with water? Will this work out?

    Reply
  49. Sabern15 says

    December 11, 2019 at 2:49 pm

    I am so excited to finding out that I can make my own mod podge. Thank you so much for the information.

    Reply
  50. mary bond says

    December 12, 2019 at 9:59 pm

    Will the washable glue make my project less permanent?

    Reply
  51. Mandi says

    December 17, 2019 at 7:01 pm

    I Love doing crafts when I change decor in different rooms of my home. I recently changed my bedroom and bathroom to Paris themed and have gone through so much modge podge My husband said ” wouldn’t it have been less expensive to just buy the decor than buying that glue stuff”? After adding up what I had already spent on modge podge I was shocked! Thank you for sharing this money saving hack!

    Reply
  52. Sheila says

    January 1, 2020 at 9:34 am

    Wa Hoo thank you for this wonderful money saving idea.

    Reply
  53. Sam says

    February 8, 2020 at 8:48 am

    I was disappointed…I used it on brown salt dough gingerbread men and it turned them white. Will try acrylic paint to make them brown again.

    Reply
  54. Jessica says

    March 24, 2020 at 11:48 am

    Does it work on pictures as well. On quarantine so cant go buy any

    Reply
    • carrie says

      March 27, 2020 at 9:17 pm

      Yes it does!

      Reply
  55. Jasmine Owens says

    March 28, 2020 at 9:00 am

    Morning, I use Mod Podge for fabric for chairs,side tables etc will this work just as well, thanks

    Reply
  56. orla says

    June 13, 2020 at 7:45 am

    It also doesn’t smell as horrid as ModPodge!

    Reply
    • carrie says

      June 24, 2020 at 7:36 am

      YEs, I agree!

      Reply
  57. Sonja Galabis says

    June 26, 2020 at 2:30 pm

    Hi from Stockton, Calif. Sonja here, I do all kinds of crafts and I do use a lot of MOD PODGE put pictures on wood and I give them to the homeless just want them to know they are wanted and someone is thinking of them, thank you so much.

    Reply
  58. Inez Hoos says

    June 29, 2020 at 10:00 pm

    Can’t wait to make my batch of Homemade ModPodge. Love doing all kind of craft. I can see many possibilities for this recipe.

    Reply
    • carrie says

      June 30, 2020 at 12:34 pm

      Thank you! I can’t wait to hear what you think.

      Reply
  59. Theresa says

    August 4, 2020 at 1:17 pm

    I use a lot of the waterproof Modpodge for use outdoors. Is there any way to make this waterproof?

    Reply
    • carrie says

      August 5, 2020 at 8:09 am

      I think that you could make this recipe with waterproof glue and it would probably work but I haven’t tried it before. Thanks.

      Reply
  60. DJ H says

    August 24, 2020 at 9:09 am

    I need to use this for sealing diamond paintings. Does this work for that kind of craft work? I need to know if this dries clear enough to allow the diamonds to sparkle. I live in a real small town and the only way for me to get Mod Podge is buy it online and pay shipping!

    Reply
    • carrie says

      August 24, 2020 at 5:20 pm

      I have tried it on diamond painting before. I would test it on a small piece to make sure that it works as you’re wanting and allows the diamonds to keep their sparkle. Thanks.

      Reply
  61. Kathleen says

    October 29, 2020 at 3:05 pm

    Does this turn yellow with age? I guess it depends on which glue you use- so I guess I’m wondering if certain brands yellow or stay clear over time?

    Reply
    • carrie says

      October 30, 2020 at 1:29 pm

      I haven’t had any issues with it turning yellow and I usually use a name brand glue. I like to stock up on them when they go on sale. Thanks!

      Reply
  62. Robbie says

    December 7, 2020 at 12:21 am

    Do you have other really neat tips for artists and crafters?

    Reply
    • carrie says

      December 8, 2020 at 8:15 am

      We have tons of great ideas under the DIY IDEAS link on our homepage. I hope you check them out! Thanks!

      Reply
  63. BMB says

    January 17, 2021 at 12:57 am

    I’m curious to know if this will work fir stiffened macrame?

    Reply
    • carrie says

      January 18, 2021 at 7:29 am

      I haven’t tried it but I think it would work.

      Reply
  64. Ruth Olson says

    April 7, 2021 at 5:14 pm

    when dry can i brush a clear sealer or varnish over to weather proof it??

    Reply
    • carrie says

      April 8, 2021 at 6:44 am

      Yes, that should work great.

      Reply
  65. Tanue Hariet says

    June 24, 2021 at 3:59 am

    Hey Carrie, this is Hariet from Cameroon. Is so difficult to find mod podge in this part of the African continent. Lol! Thank you so much for sharing this great idea. Thanks to God for letting me see this on Pinterest. God bless you mightily Carrie

    Reply
    • carrie says

      June 24, 2021 at 7:46 am

      You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply

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