Foam clay is a fantastic material for crafting, but it can become stiff and hard to work with over time. As a crafter who's dealt with this issue, I've tested various methods to bring my foam clay back to life. In this guide, I'll share three techniques I've tested to soften foam clay. I've personally tried each method, so you'll get real insights on what works best to restore your clay's flexibility and make it usable again. At Claymoo, we sometimes have clay that is dried too hard. We've tried the below techniques to help us soften the clay.
Method 1: Microwave Method
Step-by-Step Process
1. Rip dry clay into small pieces.
2. Add water to the pieces in a bowl.
3. Microwave on medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
4. Let the clay soak for a few minutes.
5. Knead the clay to check for consistency.
6. If some pieces remain dry, store them in a sealed bag overnight.
Results
After trying the microwave method, I saw some changes in the foam clay. Some parts got softer and easier to shape, especially when I mixed them with new clay. But other parts stayed dry and hard to work with.
Even though it didn't work perfectly at first, I found that kneading the clay more made it feel much better. The warmth from the microwave, plus the water I added and lots of kneading, slowly made the clay more flexible again. While it wasn't perfect, this method could help bring your foam clay back to life, especially if you try mixing it with fresh clay.
Method 2: Shampoo and Water Mix
Step-by-Step Process
1. Rip and cut dry clay into small pieces.
2. Add water and a bit of shampoo to the bowl.
3. Mix well and let sit for 15 minutes.
4. Knead the clay to check consistency.
Results
When I tried the shampoo and water mix method, I was disappointed with the results. The foam clay remained stubbornly hard and dry on the inside, even after soaking and kneading. Adding shampoo to the mix didn't seem to improve the clay's texture as I had hoped.
Despite my efforts to work the mixture into the clay, I found that this method didn't effectively soften the foam clay or restore its flexibility. The outer layers became slightly pliable, but the core stayed firm and unworkable. Overall, this technique fell short of my expectations for reviving foam clay and didn't provide the results I was looking for in terms of clay restoration.
Method 3: Sealed Bag Soak
Step-by-step Process
1. Tear clay into small pieces.
2. Place pieces in a plastic bag and cover with water.
3. Seal the bag and let it soak overnight.
Results
The sealed bag soak method showed promise in rehydrating my foam clay. After soaking overnight, I found that most of the clay pieces had absorbed water, leaving no dry bits. However, this came with a trade-off - the clay became super sticky and hard to handle right away. I had to wait a couple of days for it to become less sticky, but even then, it was still a bit tricky to work with. While this method did bring moisture back into the clay, it created a new challenge of managing the stickiness. If you try this, be prepared to give your clay some time to reach a workable consistency after soaking.
The Best Way To Dry Foam Clay?
After testing various methods, I've found that the microwave method works best for softening small amounts of foam clay. It combines heat, moisture, and kneading to restore flexibility. At Claymoo we use the sealed bag soak as for larger quantities of clay. It allows the clay to absorb moisture slowly and evenly, without needing constant attention. With either method, breaking the clay into small pieces is key for the best results.