Polymer clay becomes hard as it ages; as a result, it is difficult or even impossible to shape and use it, especially if it has been exposed to air. However, many people are unaware that even the hardest piece can be recovered. There are several methods you can use to regenerate this material, from hand kneading to adding oils and thinners; Using one or more of these remedies, you can turn a stone-hard block of polymer clay into a moldable mass.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Heat and Knead the Clay
Step 1. Warm it up with body heat
If the clay is only slightly hardened, you may be able to soften it by heating and working it with your hands. Before proceeding, hold the material in your hand to warm it up a little; alternatively, you can take advantage of your body heat by sitting on it.
- The heat regenerates the material; if it has become only slightly less malleable, you may be able to restore its softness with your own warmth.
- Regardless of which method you decide to use, you must always raise the temperature of the clay first.
Step 2. Use a heat source
If the clay has become very hard, something more than body heat may be needed; place a hot water bottle on the material for about 20 minutes to make it more malleable.
- Alternatively, you can use a heating lamp, but make sure not to raise the temperature of the clay above body temperature, otherwise you will start cooking it making it unusable.
- You can also try heating it in the microwave at 10-second intervals until it reaches a suitable temperature.
Step 3. Roll it into your hands
When it has softened, work it with your hands to give it a snake shape and then roll it into a ball. This movement generates friction and makes the clay more malleable.
You can break the mass into smaller pieces and then shape it
Step 4. Roll it out with a rolling pin
If it's too hard to work with your hands, you need to use more force. Place it on a clean cutting board or on the kitchen counter and crush it with a rolling pin to flatten it as much as you can; afterwards, always roll it up with a rolling pin. At this point it should be warm enough to be modeled with your hands.
Step 5. Hit the clay with a hammer
If the block has become too hard to flatten with a rolling pin, you need to increase the "impact force". Break the material into pieces as small as possible and then transfer them to a sealed plastic bag. Wrap it all up with a cloth and lay it on the floor, concrete driveway, or asphalt outside.
- Hit the clay for several minutes using a rubber mallet; in this way, you break it down into even smaller fragments and generate friction to heat it.
- When done, take the material out of the bag and shape it into a ball with your hands.
Step 6. Knead the clay
After having rolled it up, work it with your hands on the kitchen counter as you would with a mass of pasta; use the necessary force to stretch and reshape it.
- This method guarantees you to work the entire surface of the clay.
- If you don't want to do it by hand, you can also use a clay-specific mixer.
Method 2 of 3: Add Emollient Substances
Step 1. Add liquid diluent
It is one of the products available that make polymer clay soft no longer malleable. Many are made by the same manufacturers who also produce the clay and contain specific substances to revive the aged material.
- If it wasn't enough to heat and knead the clay, opt for this solution.
- Pour in the liquid, one drop at a time, as you shape the material; if you overdo the doses you can make it exaggeratedly soggy.
- Liquid thinners can be used as glue, thereby making the clay more sticky. If this happens, wrap it in kitchen paper to absorb excess moisture and reduce the adhesive power.
Step 2. Use a bar of emollient product
There are many other substances to soften polymer clay that are not sold in liquid form, but in solid bars; they are made with a blend of neutral compounds that make the material more malleable.
- Use one part of solid emollient for five parts of polymer clay. Heat the latter and then insert the bar inside it, before kneading everything to make the mixture soft and homogeneous.
- Solid emollients have a whitish color and are therefore more suitable for very intense colored clay. Remember that adding too much emollient in relation to the amount of material could dilute the color as well.
Step 3. Add some liquid polymer clay
This is another material that serves your purpose and makes hardened clay more malleable. Use it as you would another liquid thinner, pouring in one drop at a time and kneading the material until you get the desired consistency.
- Try to use a colorless product, so as not to alter that of the clay.
- You can also use colored liquid polymer clay, but be aware that it alters the original appearance of the hardened material.
Step 4. Use mineral oil
While not specifically designed to soften polymer clay, it works wonders as an emollient while also improving the texture of the material; pour one drop at a time, kneading until you get a modeling clay.
Step 5. Rub the clay block with petroleum jelly
This substance is present in almost every home, and you can use it when you don't have access to commercial emollients. In this case, apply a small amount to your fingertips and rub it on the clay. then knead the material to incorporate the petroleum jelly, adding more emollient until you get the right consistency.
Step 6. Mix the old and hard clay with the fresh one
An alternative is to incorporate new material into the hardened one and knead until a malleable mass is obtained. The higher the dose of new clay, the softer the final result will be. Be careful to use clay of the same color, unless you don't mind mixing shades.
Work the clay with your hands until you get the texture you want
Method 3 of 3: Chop the Clay
Step 1. Cut it with a knife
If you are dealing with very hard clay, you may need to use a food processor to chop and heat it; But first you have to cut it into pieces as small as possible with a sharp knife.
Step 2. Put the clay and emollient product in the food processor
When you have managed to chop it up with the knife, transfer it to the small appliance and, if you wish, add a few drops of thinner or liquid polymer clay for better results; put the lid on the food processor.
- Alternatively, you can use a coffee grinder, but you will have to process several batches.
- Use blades and a bowl intended only for clay, because, although you can wash them, it is not advisable to use them for food as well.
Step 3. Grind the material in 10 second pulses
Set the appliance at maximum speed, in order to break up and soften the clay, making it more malleable; continue with this technique for 1-3 minutes until the clay takes on the consistency you want.
Step 4. Take it out of the food processor and knead it
When it has become soft, remove it from the appliance. You may need to use a spoon to scrape the walls and pull the material out of the crevices; now you can press all the pieces together and shape them.
Step 5. Knead the clay with your hands
After shredding it with the food processor, it should be soft and flexible; work it by hand to melt the pieces: at this point it is ready to be used.
Advice
- Between one use and another remember to always wrap the clay with well-adherent cling film, to prevent it from drying out.
- Try heating and kneading the clay before moving on to the other remedies to soften it.
