Glue sticks are a crafting essential in many households and classrooms. The handy adhesive makes bonding paper, cardboard, photos, and more a breeze. But when choosing glue sticks, especially for kids’ projects, safety is a top concern.
Elmer’s brand glue sticks are hugely popular. But are they non-toxic? Will using them cause any health issues?
Elmer’s Glue Sticks
Elmer’s glue sticks have been a trusted household name for decades. The company introduced the first synthetic polyvinyl acetate (PVA) glue stick in 1979. Since then, they’ve become a staple for art projects in schools and homes across the U.S.
The glue sticks are known for their smooth application and strong adhesive properties. They bond securely to paper, cardboard, felt, fabric, and more. The formula dries clear and washable.
Elmer’s makes glue sticks in a variety of sizes and colors. The standard white glue stick is 0.28 oz, while jumbo sticks contain 0.77 oz for bigger projects. Purple “disappearing” glue sticks add visibility during application. Once dry, the purple color vanishes.
Glue stick options include:
- Elmer’s Disappearing Purple School Glue Sticks
- Elmer’s Washable Clear School Glue Sticks
- Elmer’s Jumbo Washable Clear School Glue Stick
- Elmer’s Washable No-Run School Glue Sticks
The company also offers multipacks (like a 12-pack of mini glue sticks) for classrooms and busy households. With this variety, there’s an Elmer’s glue stick for every scenario.
Are Elmer’s Glue Sticks Non-Toxic?
The biggest question around Elmer’s glue sticks is whether they are non-toxic and safe. With kids as the primary users, it’s crucial to ensure the formula is harmless.
The answer is yes—Elmer’s glue sticks are certified non-toxic. The adhesive is specially designed to be safe for children’s crafts and school projects.
Safety is Elmer’s top priority. All their glue sticks comply with the ASTM D-4236 standard for chronic health hazards. They also adhere to U.S. federal laws for non-toxic adhesives and office supplies.
On each glue stick label, Elmer’s states that the formula is safe, washable, and nontoxic. Parents and teachers can rest assured the products won’t compromise kids’ health or wellbeing.
Glue Stick Ingredients
To understand Elmer’s non-toxic claim, let’s look at the ingredients that make up their glue sticks:
Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) – The primary component of Elmer’s glue sticks is PVA, a synthetic polymer. It makes up around 60% of the formula. PVA is non-hazardous and non-toxic.
Water – Water acts as a solvent, allowing the PVA to flow and adhesive to stick. It accounts for around 25% of the ingredients.
Preservatives – A small amount of preservative (less than 1%) gives the glue sticks a longer shelf life. Common options are methylparaben and propylparaben.
Dyes – Colored glue sticks contain safe, non-toxic dyes for visibility. Once dry, these dyes become clear.
Surfactants – Surfactants (less than 1%) help modify the viscosity and improve flow.
pH stabilizers – Stabilizers ensure the glue sticks maintain an optimal pH level.
None of the typical ingredients raise any toxicity or safety concerns. The formula is specifically designed for safe use by adults and children alike.
Is Elmer’s Purple Glue Toxic?
Some parents may wonder if the popular purple Elmer’s glue sticks contain any harmful dyes. After all, ingesting the adhesive isn’t recommended.
However, the purple glue sticks have the same non-toxic formula as the standard white options. The only difference is the addition of a safe dye for visibility.
This vibrant purple color helps children see where they’ve applied the adhesive during crafts and projects. Once the glue dries, the purple fades away.
The dye used in the purple glue sticks is not toxic. It’s certified by the FDA for use in cosmetics and food. There are no health risks associated with Elmer’s disappearing purple glue sticks.
Dangers of Eating Glue Sticks
While Elmer’s glue sticks are non-toxic, ingesting them is still not advised. Eating large quantities of glue can potentially cause:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Throat and bowel obstructions
Consuming small amounts of dried glue sticks is generally not harmful. However, chewing and swallowing sizeable quantities may irritate the digestive tract. It also poses a choking risk in kids.
Supervise young children using glue sticks and educate them on the dangers of eating adhesives. Store glue sticks out of reach when not in use. With proper precautions, using Elmer’s glue sticks poses no safety risk.
Is Elmer’s Glue Safe for Skin Contact?
During crafting projects, some adhesive residue on the fingers is inevitable. But is prolonged skin contact with Elmer’s glue sticks hazardous?
The answer is no—Elmer’s glue is non-irritating for normal skin contact. The formula is designed to be safe if it gets on hands, especially for repeated use in schools.
However, glue sticks should not come into contact with sensitive facial areas like eyes. PVA adhesives can potentially cause eye irritation, redness, and discomfort.
To be safe, wash hands after using glue sticks and avoid touching the eyes. If glue gets in eyes, rinse immediately with water. Supervise young kids to prevent accidental eye contact.
For most users, brief glue stick contact with skin during arts and crafts is harmless. But take care to avoid the eye area and wash off any residue after finishing projects.
Elmer’s Glue Stick Ingredients List
Here is the full ingredient list for Elmer’s standard washable clear school glue sticks:
- Water
- Polyvinyl acetate
- Polyvinyl alcohol
- Preservatives (methylparaben and propylparaben)
- Surfactants
- pH stabilizers
And for Elmer’s disappearing purple glue sticks:
- Water
- Polyvinyl acetate
- Polyvinyl alcohol
- Preservatives (methylparaben and propylparaben)
- Surfactants
- pH stabilizers
- Violet 2 dye
As covered earlier, all these ingredients are non-hazardous and certified non-toxic by the FDA. Both the clear and purple glue sticks have identical formulas, apart from the added dye.
Buying Elmer’s Glue Sticks
Given their safety and popularity, Elmer’s glue sticks are easy to find at major retailers. Here are some of the most convenient buying options:
Elmer’s 12-Packs – For classrooms and busy households, a 12-pack offers the best value. The glue sticks are bundled in a handy box. Options include purple or clear glue sticks.
Individual Glue Sticks – Single glue sticks are sold at grocery stores, office supply shops, etc. They allow buying just what you need.
Jumbo Glue Sticks – Jumbo sticks contain almost 3x more adhesive than regular ones, perfect for big arts and crafts projects.
Amazon – Online at Amazon, Elmer’s glue sticks can be purchased in multi-packs or single sticks with quick delivery.
Elmer’s Website – Direct from Elmers.com, products can be bought individually or in bulk. Useful for stocking up.
The average price per standard glue stick is $1-2. Jumbo and multipacks offer more value per stick. With various retailers carrying this popular adhesive, getting your hands on Elmer’s glue is quick and convenient.
Elmer’s Glue Sticks Uses
Thanks to their strong adhesive power and non-toxic formula, Elmer’s glue sticks can be used in diverse applications:
- Kids’ Crafts – Perfect for all types of children’s art projects. Bonds paper, cardboard, photos, glitter, pompoms, and more.
- School Projects – Ideal for assignments and activities. Sticks securely to paper, cardstock, and delicate materials like tissue paper.
- Scrapbooking – The smooth consistency makes decorative scrapbooking simple. Glue sticks prevent wrinkling of photos and paper.
- Card Making – Cards, invitations, and paper decorations come out pristine when gluing with smooth, non-wrinkling glue sticks.
- Paper Crafts – For origami, papier-mâché, decoupage, and other paper arts, glue sticks attach pieces cleanly.
- Fabric Crafts – Excellent for adhering fabric pieces in quilting, applique work, and attaching rhinestones, lace, or patches.
With a non-toxic formula and versatile bonding power, Elmer’s glue sticks handle all kinds of art, crafts, and school projects.
Elmer’s Glue Sticks vs Liquid Glue
For some applications, liquid glue may be a better choice than glue sticks:
Precision – The fine tip of a liquid glue bottle allows more precision than a glue stick. Better for detailed work.
Surface Area – Liquid glues can more easily coat larger surface areas compared to rubbing a glue stick over them.
Absorption – For porous materials like wood, cloth, and foam, liquid glue absorbs better compared to glue sticks.
However, glue sticks have benefits like being mess-free and having no dry-out issues. For paper crafts, school projects, and basic applications, Elmer’s glue sticks get the job done neatly and effectively.
FAQs About Elmer’s Glue Sticks
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Elmer’s glue sticks:
Are Elmer’s glue sticks acid free?
Yes, Elmer’s glue sticks are certified acid free. This makes them ideal for scrapbooking and preventing damage to photos or delicate materials.
Can you wash Elmer’s glue sticks out of fabric?
Yes, Elmer’s glue sticks can be washed out of fabric. Apply warm water and laundry detergent, let soak, then wash as normal. The adhesive will dissolve and wash out.
Can Elmer’s glue sticks be used on wood?
Elmer’s glue sticks have limited usefulness on wood. The formula does not absorb well into porous materials. Opt for a liquid wood glue instead.
Do Elmer’s glue sticks expire?
Like any adhesive, Elmer’s glue sticks last around 1-2 years unopened. Over time, the formula can dry out. Expired glue may not stick as strongly.
Should Elmer’s glue sticks be refrigerated?
No, refrigeration is not required. They can be stored at room temperature in a cool, dry place. Refrigerating may make the glue too firm to apply.
The Final Verdict
When used properly for crafts and school projects, Elmer’s glue sticks are a safe, non-toxic choice. The adhesive is specially formulated to be harmless for kids and adults.
While ingesting sizeable amounts of glue sticks isn’t advisable, the risk from small oral exposure is low. Supervise young children and educate them on safe glue stick handling.
For sticking paper, photos, fabric, and other porous materials, Elmer’s glue sticks offer a mess-free, non-wrinkling adhesive. The washable, clear drying formula gives professional looking results.
So rest assured – those ever-popular Elmer’s glue sticks can be used with confidence and peace of mind thanks to their rigorous safety testing and non-toxic certifications.