Creating art and playing with clay is something that people of all ages enjoy. For many, there is something so satisfying and calming about the manipulation of clay or dough and its sensory effects.
However, some of the versions of clay made in retail can contain chemicals or components that you don’t want in contact with your skin.
Learning how to make your own non-toxic homemade clay allows you to control the ingredients and create a safe compound for you and your children to use.
Non-Toxic Homemade Clay Recipe
There are loads of different recipes you can use for homemade clay. Depending on the project you are planning and also any allergies or sensitivities in your home, you may need to do a little searching to find the right recipe.
There are variations that air dry, need to be baked dry, and variants with different core ingredients.
If you’re just looking for a simple homemade clay recipe, you can throw together this clay with easy to find ingredients.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/3 cup of flour
- 1/3 cup of salt
- 1/3 cup of cornstarch
- Water
NOTE: You can make larger quantities by increasing the ingredients. The formula is simply one part flour + one part salt + one part cornstarch and water to proper consistency.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Stir together flour, salt, and cornstarch in a bowl.
- Then mix in water a small amount at a time until your mixture reaches clay consistency.
Using and Drying Homemade Clay
The clay can be rolled with a pin and cut into cookie cutters, or it can be formed into shapes. For ornaments or clay crafts to display on the wall, be sure to cut out a hole for hanging.
While this homemade clay recipe technically can be air dried, it can take several days. Instead, put finished clay creations into a low temperature (250 degree) oven.
The timing will depend on the thickness of the project that you are trying to dry. For most, it will take about an hour. High heat cooking isn’t recommended as this can cause the dough to crack and your project to be ruined.
Once dried, they can be left as is or painted.
Storing Homemade Clay
The most important thing when storing homemade clay is making sure that the clay is in an airtight container or zip top bag. Even “no dry” clay recipes will eventually lose their consistency if they aren’t kept tightly sealed.
You can also put the container in the fridge to help lengthen the life of your homemade clay. The clay won't last long, but should keep in a refrigerator for about three days.
