Reclaiming Clay (2): Simple Tips to Prepare Recycled Clay

Reclaiming Clay. Tips

The importance of preparing your clay is often underestimated, even though it has a big impact on the results you get. We already talked about recycling clay in a previous post, but here we’ll summarise the steps, add some tips, and highlight the most important points.

1) Let the recycled clay dry and break it into small pieces

It’s best to let the reclaimed clay dry out completely first and then break it into very small pieces.

2) Put the pieces in a container and cover them with water

Place the dry chunks in a container and cover them well with water.

Tip: Cold water works perfectly fine. However, using hot water will speed up the process.

3) Leave it to soak overnight

Let the clay soak until the next day.

Tip: Make the most of the “dead” hours at night and turn them into “production” time. With a bit of planning, you’ll increase your productivity, because your studio will keep “working” while you sleep – in this case, the clay body is preparing itself.

4) Remove the excess water

Pour off any extra water that hasn’t been absorbed.

5) Transfer the clay to a plaster slab

Spread the clay onto a plaster slab (you can easily make one yourself).

6) Turn and move the clay from time to time

Stir and flip the clay from time to time so that the bottom also dries. Since it’s on plaster, you’ll notice that when it’s ready to be removed, it will release quite easily.

Tip: Remember that recycling small quantities is always easier. If you still need to reclaim large amounts, you can improvise with a big container (a cut-down metal drum, an old wheelbarrow, etc.). Make some holes in the bottom and cover them with a sturdy cloth (a piece of old trousers works perfectly). That way the water can drain out, but the clay stays on top.