Older video, but here's my two cents for anyone interested. I seal the interior of my terracotta pots with non-toxic acrylic paint, easily found at craft stores (Craft Smart at Michaels costs less than $2 a bottle). I use two coats, baking in the oven over low heat after each coat. Prevents mold and mineral deposits entirely. However, I'm looking for a clear coat for the exterior rim of a wet pot system. Wondered if Mod Podge would work, but clearly, it does not. Thanks for the video.
I recently watched a video by a floral designer who uses a sealer called Pottery Sealer by Design Master. Michaels also carries a sealer called Clay Pot Sealer by Plaid. I've seen it in the floral section by the terracotta pots.
Because of some additional comments below Im just adding info to help. Nothing is against the poster or anyone commenting. I know things are confusing as I related in some comments below. I think some basics are just not taught or Im just old and what my parents told me seams disappearing. Im 67. We didnt have mod podge which is just glue and water...with as some say here...a few added chemicals. When I was 13 I decopuaged with top coat or varnish. Real varnish is made from a beetle sap. Real tung oil that seals wood is from a tree but hard to find. Many are synthetics. Tung oil is what they started using on cutting boards because it repelled bacteria absorbing into the wood during Cholera etc. I also mentioned retail wants in on the next new products to sell so they upcycle an idea with a label. Mineral oil is a petroleum product. ( Many products come from dinosaur oil, tar, PU products, plastics etc. are all by products) So mineral oil is not oil as in veggie oil. It is used for constipation. I buy the drug store one for cutting board. Its food safe because you eat (1 tspn) it to relieve constipation. Unless cutting board oil has a nifty other product in it you are paying $20 for the bottle and label. The reason they say dont consume too much especially pregnant women is it coats the stomach and intestines and doesnt allow nutrition absorbed from food you eat. But as I said look up all things and if you find another product type in the google bar...how do I make so and son. I love Aleenes though. Tacky glue was the first new thing and having the "consistency" of products changed makes them helpful. I use Weimans silver polish on my stainless steel products but was amazed to find out its only mineral oil. It has been emulsified? not sure if correct word, changed to be one with the item you are cleaning. It does not leave a residue. So I use it on my plastics. like Bunn coffee maker after I use Magic calcium cleaner. It helps hard water to not stick to it either. Anyway. I hope I dont sound like an old mom or lecturing. I mostly follow people on youtube that make their own products like My Upcycled Life and a lady in India that makes things like her own gesso, Creative Cat.
Seal inside and out with an outdoor sealer made for this. Mod podge is just glue. I make my own mod podge with glue. I white dry brushed my pots then sealed in and out with spar varnish....boat varnish. No issues. I saw some now seal with a clear engine enamel. Im going to order that. I double pot everything just for ease in and out, and to not stain the terra cotta pot if leaving natural. I use a drip tray or plastic liner inside all my pots even double potting. That's why all that furniture and wood floors have water stains. You can cut down black nursery pots if too tall.
One way I learn is I google what is mod podge, what is gesso, what is chalk paint and what is chalk. I make all my products for pennies but I also learn what they are
Sealing on the outside unfortunately still WILL leech into your plants!! I’m in a dilemma now myself on how to truly food-safe seal my pots too. I thought sealing the outside only would work but apparently because terracotta absorbs everything, anything on the outside will leech inside too when water on the inside from watering seeps through the terracotta, it touches the sealing on the outside, has nowhere to go cause the outside is sealed so the plants then drink that water & the soil absorbs it too. If the sealant used on the outside doesn’t leech at all once dry even when exposed to sun & frost outside, then it’d probably be okay but my problem is, I haven’t found a company that tests for that. I wouldn’t trust any craft sealants not to leech once dry unless it’s specifically food safe. I have both brands you’ve tested here but I only craft with them… I’ve got White food-grade mineral oil which “exceeds USP standards” & says it’s great for naturally sealing wooden chopping boards, metals, furniture “& more” but I don’t know how that’d go on a terracotta pot or if it’d attract bugs or Molds because it’s technically a oil? It’s so frustrating how much horrendous chemicals there is in absolutely everything now & how you can’t trust a label on face value without reading ingredients ect. You wouldn’t think it’d be that hard to just keep chemicals away but it is. Anyone who tries to keep chemicals away feels that struggle. Ohhh the joys of 21st century living hey? 😩😩💜💜
Mod Podge sells a dishwasher safe sealant, but it's not food safe. I just did a search, there's a brand, WATCO that makes a food safe finish. You might want to check it out. I remember reading somewhere to look into ceramics if you want food safe items. You might want to look for natural looking glazed ceramic pots, try making your own or contacting a pottery supply store and asking them about glazing terracotta. I don't think the mineral oil would work as desired. I feel like it would just be absorbed into the terracotta and nothing would happen or something undesirable would happen. If you have any broken terracotta pots or one to spare you should try it on different pieces and soak them in water to see what happens. You'd have a general idea of what would happen when you'd water. I think it's been made very loud and clear, chemicals can not be escaped. Doing without would be too easy and worthless lol
@@vesgardens Oh wow!!!! Great info!!! Thank you so much!!!! 😃🙌🏼💜 I actually just bought the Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge to cover the outside of a glass drink bottle I want to paint but I suspected it likely wouldn’t be food safe, thank you for confirming!!! 💜💜 You’re probably right about the oil too. I suspected that but I was struggling big time to find anything else. I just bought a different natural product that’s got a little of the white mineral oil but is mostly organic beeswax. Says it goes on thinly (rub it in) & is designed mainly to keep things like mineral oil ect more durable. I’m going to skip the oil altogether & try the beeswax version. I just bought a bunch of tiny terracotta pots to start seedlings in so I might try it on one of those first & leave it outside to see what happens 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️ I’ll probably have to re-do the outside every 12 months or so. They say 6-12 months to re-do wood cutting boards with it. I’m willing to do that if it’ll keep my pots clean & safe!! 😣🤞🏼 I’ve never heard of WATCO brand before. I’ll definitely look into it. Thank you so much!!!! 😃😃 & that’s such a great idea using broken pots to test things too!! I don’t have any broken ones ATM, but I’ll definitely not be so quick to toss one again. I’ll try to find this food safe WATCO one & test it on one of my tiny seedling pots, same with the beeswax stuff. They’re about $1.20 on sale ATM & I’m going to get more anyway. Well worth it to know & I can just paint those ones after & use them for non-food plants. Thank you so much for your info!!! I’m all excited about it again now 😂😂 You’re a gem!!! Thank you so much!!!! 🙌🏼😁🪴💜💜💜💜
Mineral oil is not an oil. It's a petroleum product. It doesn't attract bugs. For cutting boards or any use you have to buy the mineral oil for constipation in drug stores. It's food safe. The main reason they say bad for pregnant women to use too often or anyone is it coats stomach and you don't absorb nutrients from food.
The issue is basic learning seems taken out of schools. I had Latin roots etc. You have to read labels but you need to look up. I knew what mineral oil was by age 7. I'm 67 now. I think some issue is everyone wants to package the new product so basic products become unknown. Mod podge is glue and water. When I was 13 we decoupaged with top coat. Its not you or anyone here. I started a blog but had to change sites because of loosing my posts and pics. Mostly I sew and its just as confusing for beginning sewists. So I plan to blog about what I know and hope to help people.
None! Lol I gave up on trying to find a good, clear sealant. Acrylic paint and spray paint actually worked just fine, but I didn't want to paint over the terracotta with a solid color. I'm now wondering if clear gesso would work.
I just want to seal the saucer so excess water from watering won't soak through and onto whatever surface the pot sits on. At the same time I don't want to use any product that might poison my plant. Any suggestion?
You could use acrylic paint or spray paint. I noticed that's the best "sealant". Michaels has a clay pot sealer made by Plaid. Maybe a spray sealer by Rustoleum.
Outdoor or Dishwasher safe Mod Podge may be okay, however regular Mod Podge, along with other types are not waterproof. Eventually, the Mod Podge will slowly break down every time you water your plants. Knowing that, I didn't seal the inside because I didn't want any Mod Podge residue in the potting mix which is why I said I was sealing the outside and not the inside. I'm glad your plants are doing fine, but that's just something to keep in mind over time!
I was thinking of using mod podge for my pots because I have it handy, so I’m glad I came across your video!
Glad it helped. I haven't tried any other clear sealants, but I regretfully learned acrylic paint and spray paint work best lol
Yea me too , thx!
Older video, but here's my two cents for anyone interested. I seal the interior of my terracotta pots with non-toxic acrylic paint, easily found at craft stores (Craft Smart at Michaels costs less than $2 a bottle). I use two coats, baking in the oven over low heat after each coat. Prevents mold and mineral deposits entirely. However, I'm looking for a clear coat for the exterior rim of a wet pot system. Wondered if Mod Podge would work, but clearly, it does not. Thanks for the video.
I recently watched a video by a floral designer who uses a sealer called Pottery Sealer by Design Master. Michaels also carries a sealer called Clay Pot Sealer by Plaid. I've seen it in the floral section by the terracotta pots.
Thank you! @@vesgardens
Because of some additional comments below Im just adding info to help. Nothing is against the poster or anyone commenting. I know things are confusing as I related in some comments below. I think some basics are just not taught or Im just old and what my parents told me seams disappearing. Im 67. We didnt have mod podge which is just glue and water...with as some say here...a few added chemicals. When I was 13 I decopuaged with top coat or varnish. Real varnish is made from a beetle sap. Real tung oil that seals wood is from a tree but hard to find. Many are synthetics. Tung oil is what they started using on cutting boards because it repelled bacteria absorbing into the wood during Cholera etc. I also mentioned retail wants in on the next new products to sell so they upcycle an idea with a label. Mineral oil is a petroleum product. ( Many products come from dinosaur oil, tar, PU products, plastics etc. are all by products) So mineral oil is not oil as in veggie oil. It is used for constipation. I buy the drug store one for cutting board. Its food safe because you eat (1 tspn) it to relieve constipation. Unless cutting board oil has a nifty other product in it you are paying $20 for the bottle and label. The reason they say dont consume too much especially pregnant women is it coats the stomach and intestines and doesnt allow nutrition absorbed from food you eat. But as I said look up all things and if you find another product type in the google bar...how do I make so and son. I love Aleenes though. Tacky glue was the first new thing and having the "consistency" of products changed makes them helpful. I use Weimans silver polish on my stainless steel products but was amazed to find out its only mineral oil. It has been emulsified? not sure if correct word, changed to be one with the item you are cleaning. It does not leave a residue. So I use it on my plastics. like Bunn coffee maker after I use Magic calcium cleaner. It helps hard water to not stick to it either. Anyway. I hope I dont sound like an old mom or lecturing. I mostly follow people on youtube that make their own products like My Upcycled Life and a lady in India that makes things like her own gesso, Creative Cat.
I enjoyed reading your comment. Thank you! I hope you are doing well.
Great info thanks for sharing! “Old mom” wisdom is the best wisdom anyways 😉💖
Seal inside and out with an outdoor sealer made for this. Mod podge is just glue. I make my own mod podge with glue. I white dry brushed my pots then sealed in and out with spar varnish....boat varnish. No issues. I saw some now seal with a clear engine enamel. Im going to order that. I double pot everything just for ease in and out, and to not stain the terra cotta pot if leaving natural. I use a drip tray or plastic liner inside all my pots even double potting. That's why all that furniture and wood floors have water stains. You can cut down black nursery pots if too tall.
Good explanation, only if you can make video and share your link here.
Thought about doing it but I'm glad you shared the results before I made the attempt. Tsf.
You're welcome! Thanks for watching! If you happen to try another product that works well let me know!
Most definitely. I did get the rust- oleum never wet set from Dolla store months ago. I'll try that and let you know.
Please do! It works on shoes, so it'd be interesting to see how it'd work on a pot.
One way I learn is I google what is mod podge, what is gesso, what is chalk paint and what is chalk. I make all my products for pennies but I also learn what they are
Sealing on the outside unfortunately still WILL leech into your plants!! I’m in a dilemma now myself on how to truly food-safe seal my pots too. I thought sealing the outside only would work but apparently because terracotta absorbs everything, anything on the outside will leech inside too when water on the inside from watering seeps through the terracotta, it touches the sealing on the outside, has nowhere to go cause the outside is sealed so the plants then drink that water & the soil absorbs it too. If the sealant used on the outside doesn’t leech at all once dry even when exposed to sun & frost outside, then it’d probably be okay but my problem is, I haven’t found a company that tests for that. I wouldn’t trust any craft sealants not to leech once dry unless it’s specifically food safe. I have both brands you’ve tested here but I only craft with them…
I’ve got White food-grade mineral oil which “exceeds USP standards” & says it’s great for naturally sealing wooden chopping boards, metals, furniture “& more” but I don’t know how that’d go on a terracotta pot or if it’d attract bugs or Molds because it’s technically a oil?
It’s so frustrating how much horrendous chemicals there is in absolutely everything now & how you can’t trust a label on face value without reading ingredients ect. You wouldn’t think it’d be that hard to just keep chemicals away but it is. Anyone who tries to keep chemicals away feels that struggle. Ohhh the joys of 21st century living hey? 😩😩💜💜
Mod Podge sells a dishwasher safe sealant, but it's not food safe. I just did a search, there's a brand, WATCO that makes a food safe finish. You might want to check it out.
I remember reading somewhere to look into ceramics if you want food safe items. You might want to look for natural looking glazed ceramic pots, try making your own or contacting a pottery supply store and asking them about glazing terracotta.
I don't think the mineral oil would work as desired. I feel like it would just be absorbed into the terracotta and nothing would happen or something undesirable would happen. If you have any broken terracotta pots or one to spare you should try it on different pieces and soak them in water to see what happens. You'd have a general idea of what would happen when you'd water.
I think it's been made very loud and clear, chemicals can not be escaped. Doing without would be too easy and worthless lol
To add, I just found a picture I took two years ago of PLAID Clay Pot Sealer I saw at Michael's.
@@vesgardens Oh wow!!!! Great info!!! Thank you so much!!!! 😃🙌🏼💜 I actually just bought the Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge to cover the outside of a glass drink bottle I want to paint but I suspected it likely wouldn’t be food safe, thank you for confirming!!! 💜💜
You’re probably right about the oil too. I suspected that but I was struggling big time to find anything else. I just bought a different natural product that’s got a little of the white mineral oil but is mostly organic beeswax. Says it goes on thinly (rub it in) & is designed mainly to keep things like mineral oil ect more durable. I’m going to skip the oil altogether & try the beeswax version. I just bought a bunch of tiny terracotta pots to start seedlings in so I might try it on one of those first & leave it outside to see what happens 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️ I’ll probably have to re-do the outside every 12 months or so. They say 6-12 months to re-do wood cutting boards with it. I’m willing to do that if it’ll keep my pots clean & safe!! 😣🤞🏼
I’ve never heard of WATCO brand before. I’ll definitely look into it. Thank you so much!!!! 😃😃 & that’s such a great idea using broken pots to test things too!! I don’t have any broken ones ATM, but I’ll definitely not be so quick to toss one again. I’ll try to find this food safe WATCO one & test it on one of my tiny seedling pots, same with the beeswax stuff. They’re about $1.20 on sale ATM & I’m going to get more anyway. Well worth it to know & I can just paint those ones after & use them for non-food plants.
Thank you so much for your info!!! I’m all excited about it again now 😂😂 You’re a gem!!! Thank you so much!!!! 🙌🏼😁🪴💜💜💜💜
Mineral oil is not an oil. It's a petroleum product. It doesn't attract bugs. For cutting boards or any use you have to buy the mineral oil for constipation in drug stores. It's food safe. The main reason they say bad for pregnant women to use too often or anyone is it coats stomach and you don't absorb nutrients from food.
The issue is basic learning seems taken out of schools. I had Latin roots etc. You have to read labels but you need to look up. I knew what mineral oil was by age 7. I'm 67 now. I think some issue is everyone wants to package the new product so basic products become unknown. Mod podge is glue and water. When I was 13 we decoupaged with top coat. Its not you or anyone here. I started a blog but had to change sites because of loosing my posts and pics. Mostly I sew and its just as confusing for beginning sewists. So I plan to blog about what I know and hope to help people.
I painted pots with acrylic and was going to deal with mod podge! Glad I didn’t! What sealant do you recommend?
None! Lol I gave up on trying to find a good, clear sealant. Acrylic paint and spray paint actually worked just fine, but I didn't want to paint over the terracotta with a solid color. I'm now wondering if clear gesso would work.
I had some old spar varnish I used but read labels to find weather proof sealant if using outdoors. Read my top comments.
What about exterior emulsion on clay/teracotta pots? I have only this available at the moment, so I was thinking to apply.
I just want to seal the saucer so excess water from watering won't soak through and onto whatever surface the pot sits on. At the same time I don't want to use any product that might poison my plant. Any suggestion?
I haven't tried it, but I've seen this at Michael's: Plaid Clay Pot Sealer. It's supposed to protect against leakage.
when not to use outdoor mod podge?
😭😭😭😭😭 it's too late for me! Very helpful video though but I'm just now tuning in after mod podge ruined my pots
Nooo! I'm sorry to hear that! If it's bubbling like it was for me you can try to peel it off. Idk if there's anything to dissolve it though.
What can you use to seal the inside?
You could use acrylic paint or spray paint. I noticed that's the best "sealant". Michaels has a clay pot sealer made by Plaid. Maybe a spray sealer by Rustoleum.
Just seal the inside i did that and mine are just fine
Outdoor or Dishwasher safe Mod Podge may be okay, however regular Mod Podge, along with other types are not waterproof. Eventually, the Mod Podge will slowly break down every time you water your plants. Knowing that, I didn't seal the inside because I didn't want any Mod Podge residue in the potting mix which is why I said I was sealing the outside and not the inside. I'm glad your plants are doing fine, but that's just something to keep in mind over time!
My plants are thriving the mod podge is not leeching into the plant
That sound is disturbing 😮
It definitely is.
❤️🪴💚 thank you for this video!
Thank you for watching!