Question from Joy
Hi Debra
I understand wood glue is safe. So do I just get anything labeled wood glue or is there anything else I need to watch for? Is it a particular type or brand? I seem to remember reading that white glue/school glue is OK for us too. Is that true and do I need to watch out for anything with that?
Thank you. I appreciate having a place where I can ask these questions and get a knowledgeable answer.
Debra’s Answer
Both white glue and yellow woodworking glue are safe. I’ve tried a number of different brands and they were all pretty much the same. If you want a tried-and-true for-sure brand, buy Elmer’s.
Debra, I was looking into glue options for my child, and it looks like typical children’s glue is made from polyvinyl acetate – which is essentially a plastic, right? Is this a situation where it’s safe even though it’s synthetic? I saw some very expensive glue on several websites that sell natural/safe children’s toys, but when I checked that brand out, it turned out it was also made from PVA (though I would’ve thought I was getting a really different product, given the European brand and high cost!). I did come across a product, more like a paste than a glue, that is made from almonds, but that won’t work for those with nut allergies. I guess we should just stick with synthetic Elmer’s?
Elmer’s white and yellow glues are synthetic but totally nontoxic. I’ve been using them for years. PVA is not toxic.
One thing I’ve learned about natural paints and glues is they often contain natural resins that have a strong odor. Sometimes synthetic with no odor is a better choice for this reason, though my preference is to always use renewable resources whenever they are available.