Is Mod Podge Clear Acrylic Sealer safe for children to touch?

Question

I made some charms out of cold porcelain clay. I then sealed it with Mod Podge Clear Acrylic Sealer. Will the charms be safe to wear and touch without having to constantly wash your hands (once dry)? About how long does it take for the acrylic sealer to dry? I'm worried about the chemicals in the sealer...

I also made some charms for my friend's birthday, which is in two days. Is two days enough time for the sealer to dry so she can safely handle the charms?

Answer 1

ModPodge is just a permanent white glue that's been thinned down with water so it will dry very clear (you can do the same thing yourself with any "permanent white glue" including cheapies like Elmer's GlueAll). Permanent white glues are totally "safe" too.



If ModPodge has a different kind of "acrylic" sealer, it's probably just a stronger version of thinned permanent white glue or it's a polyurethane. All of those are "safe" (though I wouldn't drink quarts of them).



Most clear-drying water-based sealers will dry to the touch pretty quickly but won't achieve maximum curing and hardness for a week or so (dry, warm, even windy conditions will speed that up).

Two days should be plenty.



However, some "sealers" (finishes) won't be quite as "hard" and resistant to later scratching and clouding from humidity as others. For example, clear polyurethanes from the hardware store intended for use on bare wood, will be harder (gloss, semi-gloss, etc), and the water-based ones ("indoor") are quite safe too.



More info on various kinds of sealers/finishes in my answers here if you're interested:

https://answersrip.com/question/index?qid=20100621051506AA53JtD

http://glassattic.com/polymer/finishes.htm

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Answer 2

I made a polymer clay charm, sealed with mod podge acrylic spray and within an hour the skin on my chest was irritated and itchy. Before wearing, the coating was smooth, though a little tacky, but after just a couple hours of having it against my skin (body heat/oils) it is now splotchy. I would recommend using a different product to glaze.

Answer 3

Mod Podge is known for staying a bit tacky. I would go to the polymer clay isle of your craft store and get a bottle of sealer intended for jewelry and crafts.