Play-Doh is a toy that is loved by children of all ages. More often than not, play-doh dries out, and it is quickly discarded. Instead of throwing out dry play-doh, here are five ways on how to soften play-doh to make it playable again.
How to Soften Play-Doh with Kneading Method
Supplies You Will Need:
- Play-Doh
- Water
- Bowl or Container (optional)
How to Soften:
This is the easiest and fastest method to rehydrate your Play-Doh. When referring to kneading the dough through the article, this is the proper method for such.
- Put the hardened dough on a clean, hard surface or into a bowl or container.
- Add water drop by drop to the dough. For larger quantities of dough, you can use up to a spoonful of water at a time. Keep in mind how much water you are adding, especially if the dough is not in a container so that the water does not run everywhere.
- Once the dough starts to absorb the water, begin to play with it! By kneading, rolling, folding, and squishing the dough into itself, the water will absorb better and work through the dough. Play with the dough for 10-20 seconds between adding more water.
- Keep working the dough until soft. If the dough happens to get slimy because of too much water, continue to work with the dough until it is good as new.
- Your dough should be soft and pliable by the end of this process. Have fun!
How to Soften Play-Doh with a Plastic Bag
Supplies You Will Need:
- Play-Doh
- Water
- Water Tight Plastic Bag
How to Soften:
- Put the Play-Doh into a plastic bag, release half the air, and seal the bag. Then break up the dough into smaller pieces so they will rehydrate better.
- Add a small amount of water to the bag and dough. Add water slowly so that the bag and dough do not become soggy.
- Reseal and begin to knead the dough within the bag so the water will incorporate and absorb. If needed, add more water slowly as not to flood the bag or dough. You do not want the color of the dough to come off into the bag. If the color does leak or run, there is too much water, and you need to keep kneading to soak it up.
- Once the dough gets softer, make sure the bag is sealed and leave the dough overnight. This will allow for the dough to keep soaking up the moisture.
- Once the dough looks normal, open the bag, and the dough should be good as new. Do not open the bag before the dough looks ready because the color will bleed onto your hands.
Paper Towel Method
Supplies You Will Need:
- Play-Doh
- Water
- Paper Towel
- Original Play-Doh Container or Other Small Container
How to Soften:
Before trying this trick, you should refer to the Kneading Method previously mentioned. This method is a better second resort if the methods above do not work.
- Soak a paper towel in water and wrap the dough in the towel.
- Put the wrapped bundle into the Play-Doh container or some other small container. The container should be airtight so that the moisture cannot evaporate and will be absorbed by the dough thoroughly.
- Leave the container overnight or longer. Once you open the container, the paper towel should be dry and the dough malleable and soft.
- Based on the dough’s condition, either add more water and knead if it is almost soft enough, have fun if the dough is soft enough, or consider discarding the dough if repeated attempts at rehydration do not succeed.
How to Soften Play-Doh with Dunking
Supplies You Will Need:
- Play-Doh
- Water
- Paper Towel
- Container
- Disposable Gloves (optional)
How to Soften:
- Fill a container with water and put on gloves, if you so choose.
- Dunk the ball of hardened Play-Doh into the water.
- Hold it under for a minute until it becomes soft enough to knead and play with while underwater.
- Continue this process for about 15 minutes but be cautioned that the dough coloring will get on your hands unless you are wearing gloves.
- Remove the dough and dry with a paper towel once soft and pliable. Lightly pat the dough with the paper towel so that it does not get stuck in the towel.
- Let the dough dry on the towel so that the Play-Doh coloring will not run, and then have fun with your softened dough!
How to Soften Play-Doh with a Pressure Cooker
Supplies You Will Need:
- Play-Doh
- Water
- Pressure Cooker
How to Soften:
- Spritz some water onto the Play-Doh.
- Place into the pressure cooker for about 5 minutes. Be careful. It might be warm when you remove it.
- Knead the dough once you can handle it and have fun!
How to Soften Play-Doh with a Steamer
Supplies You Will Need:
- Play-Doh
- Water
- Stand Alone Steamer or Stove Top Steamer
How to Soften:
- Flatten the dough out and sprinkle with water. Flattening will increase the surface size and, therefore, absorption.
- Place the dough into the steamer. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Take the dough out of the steamer and knead it for another 5 minutes. If the dough is not back to its normal consistency, repeat steps 1-3 again up to 3 times.
Extra Tips on How to Soften Play-Doh
- If the dough becomes too wet and mushy, continue to knead the dough until the normal dough consistency returns. If it is still too wet, try adding some plain flour to absorb the moisture and knead the mixture until it feels like regular Play-Doh.
- Adding a few drops of glycerine will help the process and add extra softness.
- Adding lotion will also help the dough rehydrate and stretch better, but do not add too much, or the consistency will become sticky and be unable to be corrected.
- If you choose to skip the overnighting process, you will have to put a little extra elbow grease into it so that the dough will be kneaded to proper softness.
- If the dough is still hard or unworkable after trying a few of the above methods, it might be time to get rid of the dough and buy some more or make your own.
- Play Dough that is discolored, smelling rancid, or slimy. This can be a sign of bacteria build-up or molding, which is not safe, and such dough should be disposed of immediately. If you touch such, also wash your hands.
