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Wallpaper Paste

Wallpaper Paste

People ask me for this old folk recipe all the time. Everybody claims that there is no commercial wallpaper paste that works as well and is free of pesticides!

  • 1 cup flour (wheat, corn, or rice)
  • 3 teaspoons alum
  • water
  • 10 drops oil of cloves (natural preservative)

Combine the flour and alum in a double boiler. (If you don’t have a double boiler, set a smaller pan inside a bigger one that contains enough water that can be brought to a boil without overflowing). Add enough water to make a consistency of heavy cream; stir until blended. Heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture has thickened to a gravy texture. Let cool. Stir in the clove oil. Pour into a glass jar with a screw top. Apply with a glue brush.

Makes 1 cup. Shelf life: 2 weeks refrigerated.

Read more: Home, Crafts & Hobbies, Green Home Decor, Household Hints

Annie B. Bond

Annie is a renowned expert in non-toxic and green living. Named one of the top 20 environmental leaders by Body and Soul Magazine, Annie has authored four books, including "Home Enlightenment" (Rodale Press, 2005) and "Better Basics for the Home" (Three Rivers Press, 1999).

Go to the Source

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Natural living has reached the mainstream: we are now far more concerned about the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the chemicals that surround us, and recognize that government regulations all too often fall short of safeguarding our health. Enter Annie Berthold-Bond, whose Better Basics for the Home is a compendium of practical information -- recipes, tips, and guidelines -- for creating a simpler, cheaper and environmentally safer lifestyle. buy now

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Provides more than four hundred tips on ways one can remove harmful substances from the home and have them replaced by safer, do-it-yourself formulas, and gives helpful hints on how to purchase natural food, clothing, and beauty supplies.buy now

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Known for her romantic yet simple style, Tricia Foley presents a guide to decorating with natural fibers and materials, neutral colors, and an eye toward the environment. The definitive guide to creating a fresh, uncluttered natural atmosphere in four areas of the home: the bed and bath, the kitchen, the living room, and the outdoors.buy now

15 comments

+ add your own
12:42PM PST on Nov 18, 2011

Alum is a pickling spice that can be found in the spice section of any grocery store. It isn't needed, nor is the clove. I usually just boil water and add my flour/water paste and whisk it in like you would when making gravy. Works wonders!

11:53AM PDT on Sep 27, 2011

Thanks Annie!

11:47AM PDT on Sep 27, 2011

Thanks Annie!

3:25PM PDT on Apr 12, 2011

Alum is also known as "Pickling Spice", I think. It makes your pickles crispy, and is slightly toxic.

12:43AM PDT on Nov 6, 2010

Thanks for the article.

9:51AM PDT on Oct 16, 2010

thanks

7:56AM PDT on Sep 3, 2010

what is alum please?

1:08AM PDT on Aug 13, 2010

thanks

4:36AM PDT on Jul 23, 2010

Great and easy to make. My problem though is I don't know what alum is nor do I know if I can find it here. Is there anything else I can use instead of alum?

4:25PM PDT on May 8, 2010

thanks for this article.

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