How to Make Homemade Clay as a Substitute for Polymer Clay

Tired of making trips to the craft store for expensive polymer clay? This guide will show you how to create your own clay at home, replacing the store-bought polymer version. Keep in mind, however, that homemade clay won't be exactly the same as the commercial polymer clay.

Use this formula to create homemade clay. This clay has a texture similar to polymer clay found in stores but may shrink slightly (unlike polymer clay). While the shrinkage is minimal, it’s something to consider when making certain models. Try molding a small sample first to gauge the clay’s shrinkage during the crafting process.

• Make your clay model larger so that it shrinks to the desired size.

Pour 3/4 cup of glue and 1 cup of cornstarch into a non-stick pot. You can place the pot on the countertop or directly on the stove without turning on the heat. Stir both ingredients together well.

• Using PVA wood glue is the most effective for this recipe, although the school glue children typically use also works quite well. However, school glue will result in a softer clay than the one made with wood glue.

Add 2 tablespoons of mineral oil and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the glue and cornstarch mixture. Stir all the ingredients thoroughly. If you can’t find pure mineral oil, you can substitute it with raw (petroleum) oil (not wax-based) or baby oil.

• If desired, you can add food coloring or acrylic paint to the mixture at this stage to create color. Be careful not to add too much paint as it could change the texture of the clay. If you want bright colors, you can paint them on your clay models later.

Place the pot on the stove. Heat the mixture over low heat. Stir constantly while heating to ensure the ingredients move around the pot. Do not let the mixture sit still as it can affect the texture of the clay.

Keep stirring the mixture until it reaches a consistency similar to mashed potatoes. Once it resembles mashed potatoes, remove the pot from the heat and place it on a cool surface.

• You can use a pot holder or towel on the countertop to protect the surface.

Add a bit of mineral oil to the soft clay. The oil will keep your hands smooth as you knead the clay, preventing the mixture from sticking to your hands.

Place the clay on the countertop for easier handling and kneading. This should be done while the clay is still warm but at a temperature that is comfortable for your hands to touch.

• Rubber gloves can also be used to protect your hands.

Knead the clay until it becomes smooth. You’ll need to knead it until it has a texture similar to well-kneaded pizza dough. Once finished, shape the clay into small round balls.

Store the finished clay in a zip-lock freezer bag, which can be kept in the refrigerator. To keep the clay fresh and prevent it from hardening, make sure to remove excess air from the bag before sealing.

• If the clay is still warm, do not seal the bag immediately. Wait until it has cooled completely before sealing and storing it.

Use the clay to create models. Now that you have your clay, you can mold it into any shape you desire. While working with the clay, applying a small amount of hand cream can help make the clay smoother and easier to work with.

• Allow the clay models to dry for at least 24 hours or longer if still damp.
• Paint your creations with the colors you prefer. Tempera and other paints work effectively for this purpose.
• Be sure to paint areas you wish to keep white, as the clay will have a translucent effect if left unpainted.

Use this recipe to make polymer clay that won't crack. This formula has a high glue ratio, which gives the clay good stickiness but prevents cracking. Additionally, glycerin is added to minimize the likelihood of cracks in the finished clay.

• The clay made with this recipe also dries faster, taking only about 30 minutes.
• However, after making it, you will need to wait at least one night, and ideally one week, before using the clay. This allows it to be less sticky.

Wear old clothes or an apron. This will keep your clothes clean throughout the process.

Mix water and glue in a non-stick pot and bring to a boil for about 2 minutes. Stir ½ cup of water with 2 cups of PVA wood glue in a non-stick pot. Keep stirring while heating, and remove the pot from the heat after boiling for around 2 minutes.

• You can use children's school glue, but wood glue works best for this recipe as it is stronger.

Mix cornstarch with ¼ cup of water in a small bowl and add it to the pot. Add the cornstarch and water mixture into the pot with the boiled glue mixture. Stir all the ingredients together.

• Cover the cornstarch mixture with plastic wrap while it cools.
• If you're using food coloring, you can add 1 to 2 drops or adjust the amount to get the color you desire. Alternatively, you can paint the clay after it dries.

Sprinkle cornstarch on the surface where you'll be kneading the clay. Take the mixture out of the pot and knead it thoroughly. Keep kneading and adding more cornstarch until the dough becomes less sticky.

Stop kneading when the clay is smooth and elastic. The purpose of kneading is to incorporate gluten from the cornstarch into the dough. Now the dough is ready for use.

Store the clay in a sealed bag to prevent it from drying out. Place the clay in a bag so it doesn't dry out while you're waiting to use it.

Use this recipe to create a hard clay. You will need to add some extra ingredients, but the result will be a clay so hard that it won't break even if dropped from a height of 1 meter.

Mix all ingredients, except for cornstarch, in a non-stick pot and heat on low. Combine 1 cup of PVA glue, 1/2 tablespoon of stearin (stearic acid), 1.5 tablespoons of glycerin, 1.5 tablespoons of Vaseline cream, and 1/2 tablespoon of citric acid in a non-stick pot and heat on low. Stir the mixture well.

• Use the lowest heat setting to heat the mixture.

Add cornstarch gradually to the mixture and keep stirring. Add 1/2 cup of cornstarch little by little, stirring constantly. Only add a small amount at a time to prevent clumping. Continue stirring until the clay mixture can be easily removed from the pot.

• Initially, the mixture will be sticky, but it will get heavier and harder to stir. Keep stirring until it can be easily taken out of the pot.

Knead the clay for about 20 minutes. Place the clay on a surface lined with non-stick paper (like parchment paper). The clay will be hot, slightly sticky, and not yet smooth. Knead for about 20 minutes until the dough is no longer clumpy and becomes smooth and non-sticky.

• If the clay is still hot after kneading, let it cool for a few minutes before use.

Store the clay in a sealed plastic bag. Keep the clay in a sealed plastic bag to prevent it from drying out before use. Simply push out all the air from the bag before sealing it. Use the clay to shape any figure you like and finish by painting it with acrylic paint.

This is a traditional clay recipe from Latin America. This recipe is very popular in Latin America and is highly effective for making clay. While many recipes call for 10% formaldehyde or formalin, this version substitutes white vinegar, making it a safer and non-toxic alternative.

Combine cornstarch, water, and glue in a non-stick pot. Begin by mixing 1 cup of cornstarch with 1/2 cup of water in a non-stick pot. Heat it over low heat until the cornstarch completely dissolves. Once dissolved, stir in 1 cup of glue and mix well.

Add glycerin, cold cream, and vinegar to the pot and stir thoroughly. Pour in 1.5 tablespoons of glycerin, 1.5 tablespoons of lanolin-based cold cream, and 1.5 tablespoons of white vinegar. Keep stirring on low heat until the mixture becomes a thick paste and no longer sticks to the pot's sides.

• Be cautious not to cook it too long, as it may harden.
• Glycerin is a common baking ingredient, available in most supermarkets' baking sections.
• You can find lanolin-based cold cream in cosmetic stores.

Apply lotion to your hands before kneading the dough. Allow the dough to cool by covering it with a damp cloth. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth. Now, your clay is ready to be shaped into various figures.

• Let your creations dry completely, which should take about 3 days.
• You can use oil paints or acrylic paints to decorate your models once they’re fully dry.

Store the clay in a plastic bag. Place the clay in a plastic bag and keep it in a cool, shaded area to prevent it from drying out.

• Store unused dry clay in an airtight container or bag to prevent it from drying out and hardening when exposed to air.
• Prepare the clay in advance before children need it for modeling. Non-toxic, easy-to-mold clay is the best choice for young children.
• Allow at least 3 days for the clay to fully dry before painting. Some types of clay dry faster, especially when not too thick. Clay dries faster when placed in a dry, warm area, preferably in front of a fan. However, avoid using an oven as it can dry the clay too quickly, causing cracks.
• Cornstarch-based clay is often referred to as "cold porcelain." Some types of this clay must be bought from stores, but you can also make it at home. Additionally, cold porcelain can be made using a microwave.

Method 1:

• ¾ cup of regular white glue (non-toxic, often used in schools)
• 1 cup of cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons of mineral oil
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• Non-stick pot (you can use any non-stick pot, but if you don’t have one, you can spray the pot with non-stick spray to prevent the ingredients from sticking)
• Wooden spoon

Method 2:

• ¾ cup of water
• 2 cups of PVA wood glue
• 1 cup of cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons of glycerin
• Food coloring (optional)

Method 3:

• 1 cup of cornstarch
• 1 cup of PVA glue or polyvinyl acetate glue
• ½ cup of water
• 1.5 tablespoons of glycerin
• 1.5 tablespoons of lanolin-based cold cream
• 1.5 tablespoons of white vinegar

Method 4

• 1 cup of PVA wood glue or white glue
• ½ cup of cornstarch
• ½ tablespoon of stearin (stearic acid)
• 1.5 tablespoons of glycerin
• 1.5 tablespoons of Vaseline
• ½ tablespoon of citric acid