Mold and Paper Mache

very helpful video and timely as i've been wondering about the mold issue. after i work, applying thin layers, i place the work under a warm lamp for a while and don't add anything for a couple of days. question: if there is potential for mold to grow how long before i might expect to see something. as always, thanks for your great site and videos and for introducing me to to this exciting medium.

Ms. Johnie, Thank you for the good & honest advice. I've discovered the very same issue over the years & as I live in the Southeast the humidity plays an important factor in the appearance of molds.
If folks want more info on molds such as types & causes they can simply Google " Mold " for plenty of information on the specifics.
Your work is simply beautiful. I am an artist who has been really very sickly &your updates & projects allow me to see what I would ordinarily be doing in one form or another..
Thank you for your time & imstruction, your lovely talent & creativity.

I'm experimenting with mold forming now. Just to see what happens. Some thin, some thick paper mache and even some solid forms. After they have dried I will put a batch (some sealed some not) in a plastic bag with a wet rag. I'm the curious type. I also tried salt and bleach. And I am storing some fresh clay in cellophane in my fridge. Been almost a week now and still looks pretty much like fresh cheese.

I have already found that adding salt seems to help the flow of the surface when you smooth it out. I'm also experimenting with using an kitchen oven to dry them extra fast. A convection oven set to 40 C (100 F) seems to work very well.
Totally forgot to video log the whole thing. I may have to repeat the whole process just to show you my findings. ;-)

thanks! :)

Great advices!! Thanks a lot :)

I put my paper mache pieces in the oven, then i fan dry the rest.

Great video Jonni, Thank's

Hi Johnny, Just wanted to say how much I enjoy your demos , I'm a sculptor
that has loved Paper mache for many years , but have just started to want to
get away from bronze and get back to basics . Thanks for Sharing  .Eugene Daub

boric acid

Do you think putting a paper mache sculpture into a dehydrator. Then paint it then seal it with a clear matte spray for crafts, would be a good way to make sure it doesnt mold?

Hi!! I've been watching your videos and I'd like to thank you for the expert information on all your videos. They're very helpful. I just finished doing my clay sculpture and about to do the paper mache-ing, though i'm not so sure about the recipe.. I want this paper mache work to be extra strong, so, i thought maybe i could add some plaster of paris to the mix.. Have you ever tried this before?

You could try adding in some collodial silver in the water, or lugol's iodine, cinnamon, and those probably wouldn't alter the consistency of the clay material.  Boric acid would probably work, and stop insects, too.  You just have to use more caution with that.

Did you do the coyote/wolf in your background? I'd love to see a how to video on it!

My son's paper mache project got moldy.. pls suggest how to get rid of that nasty mold.. is it bad for health and i should just throw it away?

Subscribed!:)

Do you let your sculptures dry 2 days between each layer? What is your process?

I made your elephant & (thought I'd left it long enough to dry each layer but obviously not!!) I painted it a couple of days ago & thought it was grease coming through the bottom of the legs / feet but it must be mould from the wetness flowing downwards & not drying! Argh! It's too big to fit in my oven too!! Could it perhaps dry if left shut in my conservatory for a week or so while it's rather warm here? (England) or am I going to have to do some severe chopping & rescuing of the head and body top area? :D

Can we add boric add

Jonni, since deep excess wetness is what sometimes causes the paper mache to mold. What if, after the armature is covered with crushed paper and masking tape, as an added step, the artist wrapped the entire project with self clinging plastic wrap (saran wrap). On large projects making sure the plastic wrap overlapped each of the plastic wrap seams by two or three inches. Since it is self clinging it would be a way of waterproofing all the crushed paper and masking tape, so the moisture would be stopped before going deeper. Then the strips of wet glued newspaper could be added, still making sure each thin layer was thoroughly dried before adding the next layer. Perhaps on small art projects it wouldn't matter, but for my first project, I am working on your pattern of the thirty inch high Baby Elephant and the thought of deep wetness could certain be a problem for me. Anyway, do you know if anyone has tried this method and if so was it successful? I may give it a try.

I'm enjoying watching your videos!
Can we add a little bit of bleach to prevent mold?

Jonni, I use a commercial product because it's easier for me. I have found that turning a fan on it as I go through my production process makes it much easier to get things realllly dry. Most of my Santas and Gnomes sit around for weeks before gesso ingredients. Then they sit again since the gesso makes things slightly moist again. One thing we don't worry about at our house is dry air. 😂

Do you know how I could make a mold for a paper mache releif sculpture to be cast with plaster? In order to make a plaster copy of a paper mache sculpture.

Exactly what I needed to know!! Thank you for this helpful video😊

I want to paper mache a 16' weather balloon - outside. Any sugestions?

If size permits, can the sculptures be put in a low temp oven to dry? And what sealant do you find works best without yellowing!? Thanks ! This is so exciting ! I've been away from mask making for awhile! It has called be back! So glad I came across your tutorials!!

Excellent information. Thank you for sharing these tips. What might you suggest to prevent mold when storing?

Great video.. Thank you!
Do you have any particular sealers that you would recommend? Sounds like some may cause yellowing. Thanks!

Have you tried “damp rid” in the drying room or container to pull moisture out faster? I think I might try it. Here in humid southeast Florida moisture is a problem.

Very informative, thanks! I make papermache masks that cover the whole head. These masks are used for dancing. Dancers do get sweaty and heavy humid breathing does accumulate underneath the mask. Do you recommend an alternative recipe that prevents mould? Possibly like a watered down glue recipe?

does adding salt, baking soda, or bleach to the mixture help? which would you most recommend?

This might be a dumb question, but i often use a humidifier in the room where I have a paper mache piece that has already been painted and sealed. Is this bad for it?

just made some paper mache. i havent added anything to it yet. i squeezed the water out & crumbled it in a big plastic  jar. so its only  somewhat damp. what can i do so it wont mold on me.or is it ok like that until i add the glue & etc.. can anyone give me aany idea.

oh dear you don't live in FL...nothing dries up really :(((

Mould is the correct spelling of the word. Mold is the form you would pour papier mache into. Really confusing!

Wonderful and very helpful video Mam. I have made a house with paper mash and after a week from completing the house I found mold on it. So now can you suggest me what should I do now.

Thank you so much! I had just gotten mold on my papier mache and i was really bummed out. It was my first time making papier mache.This really helped me out!

Thank you so much! I am just starting out and you have answered a myriad of questions going through my mind!! You are very much appreciated!! I love your beautiful work! Such an inspiration!!

I’m new to this, so thank you! :)

Good to know

Fantastic information!!!👍

O plot

Thanks for the great information ❤