Contrary to urban legend, envelope glue is not toxic—it’s composed primarily of gum arabic, an ingredient found in a number of common foods. Even if you cut your tongue on the edge of the envelope, the glue won’t sneak in and kill you. [1] X Research source
Hold the bottle vertically, sponge-end down, and run it along the strip of envelope glue while gently squeezing. [2] X Research source Be careful not to squeeze the bottle too much, or you may over-moisten the envelope and leave it sodden or puckered. This method is more efficient when you need to seal a large number of envelopes at once (making it useful for sending out wedding invitations, holiday cards, etc. ), but it can become messy if you squeeze the bottle too enthusiastically.
Because these are a relatively new technology, they’re not without their glitches, and some models may work better than others. Be sure to do your research before investing.
