Best (foodsafe) paper mache paste recipe? And other advice.

I need the help of real humans as I've never made paper mache as an adult and don't remember the recipe.  But I'm confident it didn't include glues and the teacher had said when joe started munching on the paste, not to worry, it's food safe.

What's your go to recipe for paper mache paste?
Any other suggestions for working with this medium?

Either that or a search engine that can filter out ai slop.  Because an hour on google and ducky gave me nothing but cookies, adverts that broke my browser,  and information that surely must be wrong. 50% white glue is probably not as  food safe and non toxic as I would like

Also, is there any reason not to add clove essential oil to the mix?  It prevents mould and pests.  But it is an oil, and maybe won't mix?

I want this silly thing to out last me.

You should be able to use wheat paste.

Here is a video about using wheat paste to glue cardboard together to make furniture and more (I have it start where he talks about making the wheat paste).

Jeff Bosch wrote:You should be able to use wheat paste.

Here is a video about using wheat paste to glue cardboard together to make furniture and more (I have it start where he talks about making the wheat paste).

https://youtu.be/45JhacvmXV8?t=181

That's fantastic, thank you.

I like that he used clove oil so that answers my question.

During the 1800s, a lot of furniture was made from paper mache and I bet they would have used cardboard too if i had been more common.  They were only designed to last 40ish years, but I've seen a few in museums and homes and they are stll amazing.

Wheat paste as he calls it looks the same recipe we use in weaving to strengthen fragile yarn (sizing).  It's incredibly strong but washes out moderately easily.  

For some reason, I don't remember paper mache paste being cooked... but it was a long time ago.

The cooking develops the gluten, making it stronger and makes it stick together better.

Does the type of paper make a difference?

I was going to use news paper because that's what we used in elementary school.  But the look of a paper bag is nicer.  Then again, it's going to be painted...

Cutting or tearing make any difference?  

r ransom wrote: Cutting or tearing make any difference?  

Tearing does 2 things - paper usually tears better in one direction than the other, so the strips might be stronger than if "cut against the grain".

Second, the edges are feathered and wavy, so multiple layers won't have such obvious edges.

I'm not sure whether paper bags tear as well or easily as newspaper. Some paper bags are thicker than others.

Good answers here already!
I'll just chime in to reinforce things that have been said already from the perspective of a (former) handbookbinder;
- cooking the wheat paste makes it sticky
- clove oil makes the paste and the pasted work unpleasant for bugs that might otherwise think your paper mache is a meal. It also preserves the paste a bit longer against mold (it keeps longest when kept in the fridge, but somehow looses stickiness the longer it's preserved).
- tearing strips along the direction of the grain would be best practice for long, strong strips. Tearing is better than cutting, for smoother joint lines, but also for strength; any interlocking fibers are added strength, and with cut strips you don't have those fibers.
Happy experimenting!

From my "pre-permies", and at least 20 years ago because my 32 y.o. son was in elementary school, so I have no idea what glue I would have used.



It was formed on a water balloon and where the knot was, I did little cuts so that it would fit over a tiny flashlight I had at the time.

Granted this has lived in a container for most of the year, but it does come out many Halloween nights if I'm going out to celebrate.

I am hoping R Ransom will post pictures of what she creates, as I am getting curiouser and curioser!

The idea of building larger objects out of layers of carboard boxes is intriguing. When the kids were little we made a cardboard dome which we bolted together so it could be taken apart and my son loved to assemble it every Christmas for years. It took up too much space to leave assembled and it was only a single layer so it eventually deteriorated, but the same or similar out of cardboard could have uses.

Thank you everyone.

I will share photos but I'm still gathering together materials.  The biggest challenge so far is finding a balloon big enough.  I thought I found one but it popped.

r ransom wrote:  The biggest challenge so far is finding a balloon big enough.  

Will the balloon have to stay inside? If not, have you considered an exercise ball? The ball should peel off ok if you let a bunch of the air out of it.

Jay Angler wrote:

r ransom wrote:  The biggest challenge so far is finding a balloon big enough.  

Will the balloon have to stay inside? If not, have you considered an exercise ball? The ball should peel off ok if you let a bunch of the air out of it.

I was thinking to do two or three layers around the balloon to make a shell. Let it dry.  Remove balloon, then fit the shell to the object (might need some cutting and jiggery-pokery).  Then doing several more layers on top until it's strong enough.  Some sort of sealant then paint on the outside.  Inside, I think I'll just use a clear sealant.  

I don't know if this will work.

How much paper should I shread to cover a moderate size balloon?   One news paper worth?  Is one inch stripes okay?

Any suggestions on an easy way to tear the paper?  

Technique for keeping the sculpture smooth while we go along

Ah, the paper grain mentioned earlier.   I bet that's where i went wrong making strips,  more experiments needed

A vaguely related product that's made with linseed oil, woodflour and paper, and it lasts! Lincrusta. They needed some when they renovated a room in the Winchester Mystery House in 2019 and 2020. They used some extra that Sarah Winchester bought before she died. In 1922. It keeps, and the oil did not hinder it. I'm sure clove oil has different properties, so I've no idea if it'll help longevity.

Just a rabbit hole, probably not too helpful, but maybe interesting.

Lincrusta and again on wikipedia
The renovation
Sarah Winchester

I don't know enough about clove oil to discuss safe handling, but please be sure you do. It works as an anesthetic, and I don't know how much it takes to affect a human. The King of DIY uses it when he has a fish that needs a surgery.

I stumbled across this in my collection of URLs.

The site still exists!

Haven't tried it.

Can't guarantee it.

All I can say is it is made from food ingredients.

In my childhood, we just used starch. The starch for shirts.

strong natural glue

Attempt 1 today.

The idea in my head clashed hard with reality.  

The paste was both too runny and too thick, so it stayed in globs on the mache but dripped everywhere.

Paper tore with the slightest moisture and fell apart before i could scrape the paste off it.

Going to leave this to dry so I can observe the results.  Then probably compost it and start again with new paper and plan

Paper mache saved

Family member said to put another layer of paper, but dry paper on top to soak the extra glue.  Worked like a charm.

r ransom wrote:Does the type of paper make a difference?

I was going to use news paper because that's what we used in elementary school.  But the look of a paper bag is nicer.  Then again, it's going to be painted...

Cutting or tearing make any difference?  

Whatever you do, don't make it out of paper towels! That was one of my biggest mistakes with my recent Greek Paper Mache Mask project. I thought I could use amazon packaging paper (since I had a lot of it), but the kids were struggling with getting it smooth. So, I used the cheap brown paper towels from the paper towel dispenser at my kids' school. Bad idea! It worked find when we applied it, but it was SO WEAK. And if we tried to paint to add anything to it, it just collapsed. The more absorbent paper towels also didn't have structural integrity and they also absorbed a lot of glue mixture.

(We used Elmer's glue because I'm used to making paper clay with it, and it was free at the school. I also didn't want to worry about cooking wheat paste for 50 kids. Maybe I should have.... I have many regrets about this whole project!)

The amazon packaging paper worked pretty well. So, too, did normal printer paper. I used paper bags, too. None of those were smooth, but they were all at least strong. I didn't have newspaper to try, but I can see why it'd be good. You want paper that's thin but won't fall apart easily when wet. I've seen some videos where they did the first layer in something beefy and strong--like paper bags or newspaper--and then did a tissue paper layer to smooth it all out.

I would rip rather than cut, because it will keep longer fibers and sort of fray the edges for a smoother boarder.

One of my students made his mask at home with wheat paste, and it broke when it dropped--none of the Elmer's glue helmets broke when dropped--they just ripped and collapsed when wet. I don't know if he cooked his wheat paste, though.

I wonder if adding something like gum arabic to the paper mache mixture would be useful?

Another thing I learned: Make sure you have high-quality balloons! The ones I ordered ended up being so cheap that they deflated while the masks were still drying. This resorted in many misshapen masks (one was entirely crumpled and I had to make a new one at home for him.)

T Melville wrote:I don't know enough about clove oil to discuss safe handling, but please be sure you do. It works as an anesthetic, and I don't know how much it takes to affect a human. The King of DIY uses it when he has a fish that needs a surgery.

My husband euthanized many a fish with clove oil. It paralyzes their breathing muscles and they slowly--but relatively painlessly--die. To this day, I associate the smell with dead fish, and struggle to add it to my pumpkin pies...

Good to know, thanks.  There is so much to learn.

I went with flour and hot water paste because cooking seemed too much for this project.  And also a family member who used to do a lot of this suggested it's easier.  But needs to be done slowly with lots of dry time.

I wish I had chosen a better colour balloon for photography.  It's dollar store so I hope it lasts.  One or two more layers and I shoul be able to do it without the balloon.

I also have flour paste all over my clothes.  Should i be concerned?   Will it wash or do i have to pre treat it?

T Melville wrote:A vaguely related product that's made with linseed oil, woodflour and paper, and it lasts! Lincrusta. They needed some when they renovated a room in the Winchester Mystery House in 2019 and 2020. They used some extra that Sarah Winchester bought before she died. In 1922. It keeps, and the oil did not hinder it. I'm sure clove oil has different properties, so I've no idea if it'll help longevity.

Just a rabbit hole, probably not too helpful, but maybe interesting.

Lincrusta and again on wikipedia
The renovation
Sarah Winchester

I don't know enough about clove oil to discuss safe handling, but please be sure you do. It works as an anesthetic, and I don't know how much it takes to affect a human. The King of DIY uses it when he has a fish that needs a surgery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VMohfF-rlM

Very interesting stuff.

Yes, clove oil and safety is a must.  It can eat through a plastic tabe more easily than I expected and some people get chemical burns from it (but others don't.)  I treat it like a solvent for most projects.  

I forgot to add it to this layer.

. I thought I could use amazon packaging paper (since I had a lot of it), but the kids were struggling with getting it smooth.

Good to know.   I saved some for the final layer...which needs to be smooth.  Going to need experiment or different paper.

My theory is, it woud be nicer to paint over a boring colour than the newsprint.

Nicole Alderman wrote:My husband euthanized many a fish with clove oil. It paralyzes their breathing muscles and they slowly--but relatively painlessly--die. To this day, I associate the smell with dead fish, and struggle to add it to my pumpkin pies...

I've seen Joey do it twice now, with his fish recovering in a few minutes. I'm guessing your husband used more?

T Melville wrote:

Nicole Alderman wrote:My husband euthanized many a fish with clove oil. It paralyzes their breathing muscles and they slowly--but relatively painlessly--die. To this day, I associate the smell with dead fish, and struggle to add it to my pumpkin pies...

I've seen Joey do it twice now, with his fish recovering in a few minutes. I'm guessing your husband used more?

Yep, the dosage matters. A smaller dose works great for anesthesia. I'd have to ask my husband how much he used for euthanasia. I went looking on the internet, but oddly enough, couldn't find the dosage--it's just says it's more and to leave the fish in for a long time to make sure they're dead (which means you're smelling it for a long time).

Google is probably failing me at finding the dosage amount. I'll try to ask him when he gets back from work.

r ransom wrote:
The paste was both too runny and too thick, so it stayed in globs on the mache but dripped everywhere.

Paper tore with the slightest moisture and fell apart before i could scrape the paste off it.

I wonder, why the fixation with balloons and deflation?

If you use water, the balloon in a bowl will sort of keep its shape.

If you are making multiples, why not a dedicated mould - I would melt candle wax in a basin,
extract it and use something like a heat gun/soldering iron to sculpt it further.
Guy Fawkes masks?

I get my candle wax from church. Lots of tea lights and spilt wax..

Lastly, I would use a paint brush to apply the paste/glue. Brush not scrape.

r ransom wrote:Also, is there any reason not to add clove essential oil to the mix?  It prevents mould and pests.  But it is an oil, and maybe won't mix?

When I bound my books with gelatin glue, I just added ground up cloves to the mix. I didn't have any clove oil on hand, and figured it would probably help. The book hasn't rotted, so that's a good sign!

When I was doing my Greek mask project, I accidently stumbled across this video about making traditional camel skin lamps in Pakistan. it's not quite paper mache, but it's super close, and fascinating to see how they made molds that they could crack out of their lamps.



It's basically like they're making a paper mache made with skin, (I'm assuming) gelatin glue, and plaster of Paris.

Their plaster of Paris is likely taking the roll of our balloon. White the skin=paper and the gelatin = glue. They even make a "paper clay" with ground up camel skin!

Since the lamp is made of skin/leather and (I would assume) gelatin from the skin, it's strong enough and flexible enough that you can bash it just hard enough to crack out the plaster of Paris without hurting the lamp. I think the same technique would likely break a paper mache mask made with wheat glue. My student with a wheat-glue mask had a fragile mask that cracked easily.

I honestly think a similar method to this was used to make the Greek theater masks. They likely used linen cloth (this is before the invention of paper) or maybe leather, and likely a wheat or gelatin glue. Whatever they used, it decomposed, because there's no existing masks to look at.

Someone said once we can make a glue from garlic,   that's antimicrobial and foodsafe.  Do you think it would work for paper mache?

Or maybe the flour paste is good enough and I needent fix what's not broken?

I just clicked on "adhesive/sealer" in the links below this forum - 12 years ago there was a paper mache' mention  and it said to use salt for strength and durability/not molding/ etc, I can't remember verbatim.. it might help?
I am really intrigued by the Garlic - I grow lots of elephant garlic, and while it is a food staple here, making things out of it could be awesome!

The next morning, the paper mache feels dry to the touch, but cool as if it's still a bit damp.  I will leave it a few more hours.

I'm also feeling good about the shape and size the balloon gives the project.   My theory is if I can get the mache on the balloon at just the right angle, it will be asymmetrical in the right way for step two of the project...but that will come in a few weeks as I still need to find a couple of more parts.

One thing I'd like to try some day is attempt paper mache with gelatin. I tried it with gum arabic when I made my orange peal boxes, but it reannimated really easily.

Gelatin is harder to reanimate. Bookmakers like it because (A) it's stretchy, and (B) you can reanimate it if you need to with warm water. I'm pretty sure, though, that it doesn't reanimate with cold water. I feel like it would make a stronger, more flexible paper mache than wheat glue does. But, I didn't really find anyone attempting it.

Another option might be casein glue? I think there's a thread somewhere on here about casein glues being really strong. They do shrink and can crack if the stuff they're adhered to isn't flexible enough.. Maybe they'd work better in a paper mache?

Gelatin is like hide glue, so should be good.

I thought about hide glue but if I am too lazy to cook flour, it wouldn't be for me.  Not sure how foodsafe hide glue is either.

I'm just cheap and lazy, and just use gelatin sold for food. I've used the Knox plain gelatin (found in grocery stores), as well as bulk gelatin used for food (I usually buy Zint Gelatin). The hardest part would be keeping it warm. I tend to just keep it on the stove on like medium-low and use it that way--though it does stay liquid for quite a while off the stove.

I already have the gelatin on hand for making fruit jello...while I don't have any wheat because we don't eat gluten in our house for autoimmune condition reasons. Most people are more likely to have wheat in the house than they are to have gelatin, though!

Jay Angler wrote:

r ransom wrote: Cutting or tearing make any difference?  

Tearing does 2 things - paper usually tears better in one direction than the other, so the strips might be stronger than if "cut against the grain".

Second, the edges are feathered and wavy, so multiple layers won't have such obvious edges.

This paper grain thing turned out to be some if the mosr relevant advise and made the biggest difference to how joyful the expierence is.

So i have two paper mache sessions and about 4 (or was it 5) layers of newspaper strips.

I wonder if it's time to remove the balloon.

The final project will need to be much much thicker, but first I have to make sure it fits the other object.  The balloon is the closest thing to the asymmetrical shape I could find, but.... there will still need to be a bit of cutting and shaping.   So I am hoping the paper mache is strong enough now to withstand the abuse and become the new support for next layers.  But soft enough i can cut or shape it.  I feel like I'm entering unknown territory here as i haven't seen anything like this project online (and have only a foggy memory of a description of it from a book from the early 1800s)