How We Can Make Clay Soft?

Introduction

Clay is a natural material composed of fine-grained minerals like silica and alumina that gives it a stiff texture. Clay’s composition causes it to harden when dry, making it difficult to mold or shape. Softening clay is an essential step for crafters and artists who want to work with clay to create pottery, sculptures, jewelry, and more. There are several techniques that can be used to soften clay and make it malleable.

The main methods for softening clay include kneading, using conditioners, adding oils, mixing in water, heating, and freezing. Each technique provides a different level of softness based on the amount used and the type of clay. Understanding the options for softening clay allows artists to achieve the desired pliability for their projects.

Kneading

Kneading is the process of working and pressing clay repeatedly to make it softer and more pliable. It aligns the clay particles and allows them to slide over one another more easily. Here’s how it works:

Start by forming the clay into a ball. Use the palms of your hands to push into the clay and roll it around, pressing down firmly as you work. Fold the clay over itself and repeat kneading motions. You can also put pressure on the clay by passing it between your palms or squeezing it.

Aim to knead for 5-10 minutes to fully soften the clay. Go slowly and be thorough – the longer you knead, the softer the clay will become. Adding a bit of water or clay softener while kneading can aid the process. Pay attention to any dry or crumbly areas and concentrate kneading there.

Knead on a flat, smooth surface. Avoid over-dusting with flour which can dry out the clay. The clay is ready when it’s uniformly soft, smooth, and pliable.

Conditioners

Conditioners are chemicals that can be added to clay to make it softer and more malleable. Conditioners work by penetrating between the clay particles and forcing them apart. This creates more space between the particles, allowing them to move more freely against each other. The clay then becomes less rigid and stiff, and more soft and workable.

Some common conditioners used for softening clay include:

• Vinegar – The acetic acid in vinegar reacts with clay particles, making them repel each other more strongly. This allows more space between particles for improved plasticity.

• Vegetable oil – Oils like olive and coconut oil get absorbed into the clay structure, lubricating the particles so they can slide over each other more easily.

• Glycerin – Glycerin is a humectant that draws moisture into the clay. The increased water content spaces particles apart.

• Liquid polymer clay – Polymer clays contain plasticizers that penetrate the clay structure and make it more flexible.

The amount of conditioner required will depend on the clay body and desired softness. It’s best to start with small amounts and knead thoroughly to achieve an even consistency throughout the clay.

Oils

Oils are another effective way to soften clay. Certain oils can penetrate the clay particles and act as a lubricant, allowing the clay to become more malleable without drying out.

Some of the best oils to use include:

• Baby oil – Very effective, affordable and easy to find.
• Mineral oil – Penetrates well without leaving an oily feel.
• Vegetable oil – Common options like olive, canola or sunflower oil work well.
• Mineral spirits – A petroleum-based option good for polymer clays.

Always start with just a few drops of oil and mix thoroughly before adding more. Over-oiling can make the clay sticky. Aim for 1 teaspoon of oil per 1 pound of clay. Knead the oil into the clay evenly until it reaches the desired softness.

Let the oiled clay rest for 10-15 minutes so the oil can fully absorb before using. Keep unused oiled clay in an airtight container as it can dry out over time.

Using Water to Soften Clay

One of the easiest and most effective ways to soften clay is by adding water. The water molecules interact with the clay particles, separating them and allowing them to move more freely. This hydrates the clay and makes it more malleable.

The key is using the right amount and temperature of water. You want to add enough water for the clay to become workable, but not so much that your sculpture becomes too thin or compromised. Generally, start by spraying or misting water over the clay surface or adding drops of water and kneading it in. Keep gradually adding more water and kneading until the clay reaches the desired softness.

The water should be room temperature or slightly warmed. Cold water can shock the clay, while water that is too hot can alter its composition. Lukewarm or room temperature water around 70°F (21°C) is ideal.

Continue kneading the water thoroughly into the clay until it becomes uniformly soft and pliable. The clay is ready to sculpt when it is smooth, elastic, and moldable without cracking or sticking to your fingers. With the right amount of water worked in, clay can go from hardened to soft and workable in minutes.

Heating

One of the most effective ways to soften clay is by gently warming it. The warmth causes the clay particles to move more freely, allowing the clay to become more pliable without needing to add any additional water or conditioners.

There are several easy methods for warming clay:

• Using a hairdryer on a low setting to gently blow warm air over the clay surface.
• Rubbing the clay briskly between your hands. The friction helps warm the clay from your body heat.
• Placing the clay in a container of warm water. Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes, checking frequently. The clay will absorb some of the warm water, helping soften it throughout.

Heating clay too quickly or making it too hot can cause issues, so gentle, gradual warming is best. As long as you monitor the temperature and don’t overheat it, warming is an easy and effective way to make clay soft and pliable for sculpting, molding, and crafting.

Freezing

Freezing clay can actually help make it softer and more malleable. When clay is frozen, the water inside it expands as it turns to ice. This causes the clay to become porous and separates the particles. However, freezing can also cause the outer layer of clay to stiffen up while the inner clay stays flexible. Here are some tips for freezing clay:

– Place the clay in air tight plastic bags or containers before freezing. This prevents the outer layer from drying out and becoming too stiff.

– Allow the clay to fully thaw before using it. Let it sit at room temperature until it regains its flexibility.

– Knead the clay after thawing to mix the inner soft clay with the outer stiff layer.

– You can freeze clay multiple times. Freezing, thawing, and re-kneading will make clay even softer over time.

– Consider freezing only portions of your clay at a time, keeping some flexible clay handy for immediate use.

– Be aware that some clay brands and types freeze better than others. Polymer clay and oil-based clays freeze best.

With the right freezing and thawing techniques, you can soften clay and make it more malleable for sculpting and molding projects.

Clay Softener

There are specialty clay softening products on the market that can help make clay workable and soft.

Some popular options include:

• Baby oil or mineral oil – Known for being gentle options that softly condition clay. Use a few drops and knead into the clay.

• Glycerin – Helps prevent clay from drying out. Mix in a few drops and knead thoroughly.

• Liquitex – A liquid polymer clay softener. Mix a few drops into hard clay and knead to soften.

• Clay softener solutions – Specialty products like Van Aken’s Clay Softener made specifically for conditioning and softening polymer and oil-based clays.

When using any of these clay softening products, add them sparingly and knead the clay thoroughly to evenly distribute the softener throughout the clay. Allowing time for the softeners to fully absorb before adding more will prevent over-softening the clay.

Avoiding Re-hardening

Once you’ve softened your clay, it’s important to take steps to keep it soft and pliable for sculpting and modeling. Here are some tips for avoiding re-hardening of clay:

Proper Storage: Store softened clay in an airtight plastic bag or container to prevent it from drying out. Squeeze out excess air before sealing to minimize exposure to air.

Keep it Moist: Mist clay occasionally with water and knead to incorporate moisture. You can also store clay on a damp paper towel or cloth to maintain moisture.

Avoid Heat: Don’t leave clay sitting in hot areas like direct sunlight or near heating vents, as heat can cause clay to dry out faster.

Use Clay Softener: Add a few drops of glycerin, oil, or commercial clay softener regularly to keep clay soft.

Seal Unused Clay: Any unused clay should be tightly sealed to prevent hardening. Store small pieces in plastic wrap or bags.

Refresh Overworked Clay: Clay that gets overly worked can start to dry and stiffen. Add water and knead again to restore moisture and softness.

With proper storage methods and care, you can keep your clay soft for extended sculpting and modeling projects.

Conclusion

In summary, there are several effective methods for softening clay discussed in this article. Kneading clay helps warm it up and make it more malleable. Adding conditioners like glycerin keeps clay soft. Oils like mineral oil or olive oil can be kneaded into stiff clay. Water softens clay through hydration. Heating clay in the microwave, double boiler, or oven makes it more flexible. Freezing clay makes it stiff and brittle initially but softer once thawed. Commercial clay softeners are available to restore hardened clay. Avoid letting softened clay sit out and re-harden by keeping it wrapped or stored in an airtight container.

The key tips to remember are kneading thoroughly, adding enough softener or water gradually, and maintaining the softened state by proper storage. With the right techniques, even very hard clay can be restored to a smooth, soft, workable condition suitable for sculpting and crafting.