How Long Will Salt Dough Last?

What is Salt Dough?

Salt dough is a modeling material made from a simple mixture of flour, salt, and water. It can be rolled, cut, molded, stamped, or shaped into creative items once mixed. Salt dough is commonly used to make ornaments, keepsakes, and sculptures. When dry, it hardens but still retains a slightly doughy, malleable texture. Salt dough is often used for arts and crafts projects, especially with children. It provides an accessible way for people of all ages to create handmade, personalized decorations and gifts.

Ingredients in Salt Dough

Salt dough primarily consists of just three ingredients – flour, salt, and water. The flour provides structure, the salt preserves the dough, and the water binds everything together. All-purpose flour is commonly used, though whole wheat flour can also work. Table salt or sea salt are both effective options. The water content determines the consistency of the dough.

Some recipes also choose to include cream of tartar. This makes the dough smoother and more pliable, as well as delaying the drying time slightly. A small amount of vegetable oil may be added too for extra pliability. Essential oils can provide fragrance. Food coloring can be mixed in for colored doughs. Glue, varnish or polyurethane can help seal and strengthen dried creations. But at its core, salt dough relies on those three base ingredients – flour, salt and water.

Does Salt Dough Expire?

Salt dough doesn’t really expire in the traditional sense. Since it doesn’t contain any dairy, eggs, or perishable ingredients, salt dough can keep indefinitely if stored properly. However, over time untreated salt dough will dry out and become difficult to manipulate and mold.

The shelf life of salt dough depends on how air tight it is stored. Kept in an airtight container or bag, salt dough can last for several months without drying out. If left uncovered and exposed to air, salt dough will begin drying within several days.

So while salt dough doesn’t spoil, it can become dried and crumbly if left out too long. As long as the salt dough is still pliable and not cracked, it is still fine to use for projects.

How to Store Salt Dough

Proper storage is key to extending the shelf life of salt dough. Here are some tips for keeping salt dough fresh for as long as possible:

Store salt dough in an airtight container. A plastic container or resealable plastic bag with all the air squeezed out helps prevent moisture from evaporating. Limit air exposure as much as possible.

Refrigerate unused salt dough. The cool temperature of the refrigerator slows down the drying process. Salt dough can be refrigerated for weeks and still remain pliable enough to sculpt new creations. Allow refrigerated dough to come to room temperature before playing with it.

Drying Out and Preserving Projects

Once you’ve created your salt dough sculptures, you’ll need to let them dry out completely before painting or displaying them. Air drying or baking are two good methods for drying and hardening salt dough creations. The drying process allows the water in the dough to evaporate, leaving the hard salt crystals behind. It can take 1-3 days for small sculptures to air dry thoroughly. Larger pieces may need 5-7 days.

For air drying, you can leave projects out at room temperature on a baking sheet or drying rack. Turn sculptures over each day so they dry evenly. Avoid excess humidity or moisture during the drying period. If pieces start to sag or distort as they dry, you can insert a ball of crumpled foil or stuff with tissue to support the shape.

For quicker drying, baked salt dough at 200°F for 1-2 hours. Check frequently near the end of baking time to ensure it doesn’t over-dry or burn. The low temperature gently evaporates the moisture. Once it’s cooled, the salt dough should be hardened and ready for decorating or displaying.

Signs of Dryness

You will know when your salt dough creation is completely dry if it starts to show signs of dryness such as cracking or flaking. This happens when the moisture from the dough has completely evaporated. If you tap on the salt dough, it will sound hollow and feel very lightweight.

Cracks and flakes in the salt dough indicate that the moisture has left the dough fully. The salt crystals bind together when dry, but without the moisture, they become brittle. That’s why dry salt dough can start to crack or flake, especially around the edges and finer details.

You can test the dryness by gently pressing on your creation. If it easily dents or cracks, it means it has dried out fully and lost the moisture that held it together. The lightweight feeling is another sign that moisture has evaporated.

Let your salt dough dry completely until it displays these visual and physical signs of dryness. Then you can move onto painting, sealing and preserving it.

Reviving Dry Salt Dough

If your salt dough starts to dry out and crack, don’t throw it away! You can bring it back to life with a little TLC. Here are some tips for reviving dry salt dough:

Start by adding a few drops of water and kneading it into the dough. Go slowly and add water gradually until the dough becomes smooth and pliable again. If it feels overly sticky, sprinkle in a bit more flour.

You can also mix in a teaspoon or two of vegetable oil or coconut oil. The oil helps condition the dough and makes it more flexible. Knead it in thoroughly until the oil is fully incorporated.

Once your salt dough is re-hydrated and conditioned with oil, it should be soft and workable again. Store any unused revived dough in an airtight container or bag to prevent it from drying out further.

With a little moisture and care, you can bring dry and cracking salt dough back to a smooth consistency. Just add water, knead, and add a touch of oil as needed. Then you can use your revived dough to complete any unfinished projects.

Mold Growth

Salt is a natural preservative, but mold and mildew can still develop over time if the salt dough isn’t completely dried out. You may notice fuzzy or hairy looking growths in various colors, including black, green, white, or blue. Mold also gives off a distinctive musty, earthy smell that will be noticeable when you open your salt dough container.

If you see any signs of mold, it’s best to discard the salt dough. Mold spreads quickly and can contaminate anything it touches. Breathing in mold spores can also cause allergic reactions or respiratory irritation in some people. For food safety reasons, you don’t want to keep salt dough that has molded.

To prevent mold growth, make sure your salt dough creations are fully dried and sealed before storing. Avoid humidity and moisture which encourage mold. Check regularly for any fuzzy growths or bad odors which are signs it’s time to throw the salt dough away.

Painting Salt Dough Creations

Once your salt dough sculptures are fully dried and hardened, you can paint them to add color and personality. Acrylic paint works best for painting salt dough. Acrylics adhere well to the salt dough surface and provide vibrant, lasting color.

Look for acrylic craft paints, which come in many bright, kid-friendly hues. Thin the paint slightly with water so it goes on smoothly. Use fine-tipped paintbrushes to add details and designs. Let each layer of paint dry fully before adding another coat.

To help preserve your painted salt dough creations, apply a sealant when finished. An acrylic sealer or varnish will protect the paint and help it withstand touching and light handling without flaking or scratching off. This adds longevity to your salt dough art.

Longevity of Salt Dough

The lifespan of salt dough is dependent on several factors, primarily how it is stored and whether projects are allowed to fully dry and cure before painting or other final detailing. Properly stored salt dough can remain usable for over 12 months.

If kept in an airtight container to prevent drying out, uncooked salt dough will last for several weeks at room temperature. Refrigerating the dough can extend its lifespan to 6-8 months. Dry, cured salt dough creations can potentially last for years if sealed and stored properly.

Allowing projects to dry thoroughly, at least 3-5 days, before painting or sealing is key. Uncured pieces will deteriorate more rapidly. Proper storage means keeping pieces in a dry location away from moisture, out of direct sunlight which can cause fading, and sealed in plastic bags or containers if possible. With appropriate care, salt dough art can last over a year, or become cherished keepsakes enjoyed for many years to come.