How can you seal an envelope without your tongue?
The best ways to seal an envelope without your tongue include:
- Using a damp sponge to wet the adhesive
- Glue the envelope with a glue stick
- Tape the envelope shut
- Use a wax seal
- Switch to peel-and-stick envelopes
- Moisten your fingers and use them to seal the envelope.
Imagine, not ever having to run your tongue across another envelope. Nobody in your house is willing to do it for you, so finding an alternative is a must!
Luckily for you, I’ll show you six different creative ways to seal an envelope without your saliva. I’ll show you if licking an envelope is harmful and help you never lick another envelope. You’ll be on your way to the post office in no time!
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Is It Harmful to Lick Envelopes?
It is not considered harmful to lick envelopes. Most envelope adhesive is made from gum seal (gum arabic). The Food and Drug Administration intends to propose that gum arabic be classified as dietary fiber.
Many choose not to lick envelopes because it’s not pleasant, but the taste has left many wondering if the bitter taste is harmful to health. We’re happy to report that there are no harmful ingredients in the raw materials used for envelope adhesive.
Sealing your Envelope Without Saliva
You can seal an envelope without licking it with a sponge, glue stick, tape, wax seal, peel-and-stick envelopes, or with your wet fingers. The key to sealing an envelope is adding moisture, which activates the sticky part. It doesn’t matter how you get the adhesive wet, just don’t oversaturate the envelope.
Let’s look at six different alternatives to sealing an envelope without your tongue.
1. Use a sponge to seal an envelope
Using a sponge is one sure way to make sure your mail is sealed within an envelope without having to use your tongue.
You will need:
- A sponge
- Some water
- Your mail in an envelope
How to seal an envelope with a sponge:
Step 1. Wet your sponge
Don’t dunk the entire sponge into the water. Instead, lightly dip the corner into the bowl of water and squeeze out the excess.
Step 2. Dab the envelope adhesive
Find the sticky part of the envelope and dab the sponge across.
Step 3. Seal the envelope
Press firmly on the stick part to close and run your fingers across a few times to ensure that you’ve got a good seal.
2. Use A Glue Stick to seal an envelope
A glue stick is a perfect tool for all kinds of at-home projects. You can use it to seal your envelope, increasing the strength of the seal while you’re at it.
What you’ll need:
- A glue stick
- Your mail in an envelope
How to seal an envelope with a glue stick:
Step 1: Apply Glue
Glide the glue stick along the sticky part, making sure that you cover all parts. Give some extra love to the corners so that they don’t start to turn up.
Step 2: Press and Seal
Now, simply fold the flap and press down. Ensure all parts of the flap are flat, sealed, and ready to mail.
3. Use tape to seal an envelope
Just because the adhesive is there doesn’t mean that it has to be used. Instead, you can take the sealing into your own hands and add a bit of tape.
What you’ll need:
- Clear Tape
- Your mail in an envelope
How to tape an envelope:
Step 1: Tape the envelope shut
There isn’t much to do here but close the flap and apply tape. Add enough tape to keep the seal strong and ensure that it will not open at any time. Be sure to get the corners and the tip of the flap, which are the parts that tend to turn up.
4. Use a wax seal to seal an envelope
Not only does this option allow you to avoid the awful taste of envelopes but it will also allow you to send your mail in style. You can find wax seals of all kinds, colors, and even customize them to your liking as far as initials and more.
What you’ll need:
- A seal
- Wax
- Your mail in an envelope
How to use a wax seal to seal an envelope:
Step 1: Heat Wax
Depending on the type of sealing wax you purchase, you may need to heat to a certain temperature or time. Most wax for sealing letters is easy to melt and can be done with a lighter in a few seconds. So, read the direction of your wax, heat it up, and get ready to add it to your envelope.
Step 2. Add Wax to Envelope
Add the wax to the envelope, adding it to the tip of the flap. You should add enough to cover the tip of the flap and a bit more space around so that the seal will ensure your envelope stays shut.
Step 3. Press your Stamp
Using the stamp of your choice, press it into the wax after 45 seconds to one minute, pressing firmly and peeling it away. You should have a bit of wax left around and the design of your stamp in the middle. Let it sit a bit longer to dry and your envelope is ready to mail!
5. Use peel-and-stick envelopes
Some genius out there knew that the majority of us dread licking envelopes. To help us out, they invented envelopes that you could peel and stick instead of giving them a lick. These are readily available and can be found in supermarkets and online.
What you’ll need:
- Peel-and-stick envelopes
- Your mail
How to use a peel-and-stick envelope:
Step 1: Add your Mail
Once your letter or item is ready to go, simply add it to the envelope.
Step 2: Peel and Press
Once your mail is inside, peel the sticker from the adhesive part and press down. Run your fingers across a few times focusing on the edges and voila! Your mail is sealed and ready to go.
6. Use your fingers to seal an envelope
Your fingers are a useful tool if you don’t have anything else, using them to add moisture to the adhesive for a good seal. It’s simple and easy and you don’t need much to get it done.
What you’ll need:
- Your fingers
- Water
- Your mail in an envelope
How to seal an envelope with your fingers:
Step 1. Moisten your Fingers
Find a sink and add some water, use a water bottle, or if you’re short on water, simply give your fingertips a quick lick.
Step 2. Tap on Adhesive
Using your fingertips, tap the moisture onto the adhesive making sure that you cover the entire area.
Step 3. Press Down
From there, all you’ll have to do is close the flap and press, running your fingers (the dry ones!) across the top to ensure a good seal. From there, you can drop it in the mailbox and be ready to go.
Summary: How to seal an envelope without using your tongue
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to seal an envelope without using your tongue. The best ways to seal an envelope without your tongue include:
- Using a damp sponge to wet the adhesive
- Glue the envelope with a glue stick
- Tape the envelope shut
- Use a wax seal
- Switch to peel-and-stick envelopes
- Moisten your fingers and use them to seal the envelope.
The days of licking envelopes are over, putting the joy back in sending mail. The next time you want to send a letter or card, don’t make your tastebuds suffer.