One of the things we use a lot in our craft projects is moss. I love the way it looks. Sadly, all store-bought moss will dry over time, leaving that once lush green creation looking dull, brittle, and yucky. When you buy moss from a craft store, it’s been preserved by moss taxidermists ;-) and it won’t grow again. They inject it with a whole bunch of chemicals to make it look pretty on the shelves. Fortunately, it’s ridiculously easy to freshen up and revive moss for craft projects with a few basic ingredients.
This recipe will work for most craft store moss, including sheet moss, moss clumps, and reindeer moss. It’s not suitable for real, live-growing moss. Mother Nature has her own recipes for keeping them alive ;-)
We used reindeer moss when we made this heart last year. You may remember her from our concrete pumpkin planter post. If you’re too busy to click through to that post, this is what she looked like then.
Alas, in a few short months, she started losing her lush green sparkle and was looking rather dull and tired.
But that’s not a problem when you have the right stuff in your craft cupboard, and it only takes a few minutes to restore her to her former bouncy glory.
Right, before we get to the good stuff, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!
What you need to freshen up and revive moss
- Water
- Two small sealable containers
- Sponge or foam brush
- Craft paints
- Glycerin, sometimes referred to as glycerol
The craft paint needs to be water-based, and it provides the color, but it’s the glycerin that gives the moss a new lease on life and makes it soft again ;-)
How to revive craft moss
Anyone who’s used craft paint to recolor moss will know that it works. But it goes on thick, making the moss hard and brittle once it dries. One way to get around it is to use an acrylic medium, which dilutes and thins the paint.
Acrylic medium extends the paint’s drying time and makes it flow easier, so it has more chance of absorbing into the moss. But not everyone wants to spend money on an extender, especially if you can use something that’s easy to find and costs way less too. Something like glycerin ;-) You can mix any water-based craft paint with glycerin to revive moss.
Mixing tips
If you’re going to be mixing your colors, be sure to do it in a sealable container to make the next step easier. Once you have the right color, mix the glycerine with water in a separate container before adding it to the craft paint. I usually use about 1 part glycerine to 2 parts water. Glycerin is heavier than water, so it sinks to the bottom. Just shake it for a few seconds until it dissolves completely. Glycerin is both water- and alcohol-soluble, so it mixes pretty easily.
There is no fixed ratio when it comes to using glycerine as a paint extender. Simply thin the paint to the consistency you need. Depending on your project, you might want to make it thicker or thinner. One thing to keep in mind, though; as the paint gets thinner, it becomes less easy to control, and the color may not be as intense as straight out of the tube. It will also take longer to dry.
Applying the glycerin mix
Gently apply the glycerin paint mix to your craft project using a sponge. Don’t overdo it to avoid the paint and glycerin mix soaking into everything else. You can apply multiple layers until the whole mossy craft project is covered.
Once you’re happy with the coverage, leave the project for a few days to absorb the glycerin into the moss. You should notice an immediate difference as the moss revives and bounces back. The picture below was taken about 10 minutes after applying the glycerin and paint mix.
And just in case you need a reminder of what the moss heart looked like before ;-)
FAQ
How many applications are needed?
Depending on how dry your moss project is and how much glycerin/water you added, you may have to repeat the process.
I only did one application on the moss heart. I suspect our moss mannequin will need two applications to bring her back to life.
Can the mixture be stored?
The paint and glycerin mix will stay usable for a few months in a sealed container, which means I can freshen up all my other moss projects too ;-)
Will I need to reapply the mixture?
It depends. If your craft project gets sun all day, every day, it will fade really quickly, and you will have to give it another glycerine touch-up in a few months. The “revived” moss will look as good as new for years in a protected spot.
Can I water the revived moss?
Please don’t. This method is best suited to reviving moss that’s used in craft projects.
Can I use other colors?
Sure. I’ve used a vibrant blue in this Lorax-inspired fairy scape. For a drastic color change, up the paint ratio in the mixture.
I think that’s about it. If you have any other questions, please pop them in the comments, and I’ll update the post.
If you use a lot of moss in your crafts, don’t forget to pin this handy tutorial to revive moss.
Sharing is caring ;-)
How to preserve fresh moss
BTW, if you’re lucky enough to have natural moss growing in your garden and want to preserve it for craft projects, I thought I’d share this easy recipe with you.
Oh, and if you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered. Disclosure: Clicking on the links below means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry, it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us make more amazing crafts to share with you ;-)
And if you prefer to buy rather than DIY, then maybe these beauties will appeal.
And as always, wishing you a wonderful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you for popping in for a visit.
Last update on 2026-04-15 / Source Amazon Affiliates
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