Amino-formaldehyde resins may be prepared using formulations including formaldehyde, glycerin and at least one amino compound selected from the group consisting of urea, melamine, and mixtures thereof; under reaction conditions sufficient to prepare a resin, wherein; the amino-formaldehyde resin is prepared in a substantial absence of a sulfonating agent, ethylene glycol, and polyalkylene glycols. If the amino compound is urea, then the urea is present in a molar ratio of formaldehyde to urea ranging from 0.70 to 1.30; if the amino compound is melamine, then the melamine is present in a molar ratio of formaldehyde to melamine ranging from 1.3 to 2.2; and if the amino compound is a mixture of urea and melamine, then the mixture of urea and melamine is present in a molar ratio of formaldehyde to urea and melamine ranging from 0.35 to 1.3.