How to Make Mud

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

There are lots of different kinds of mud and just as many different reasons you might need it. Whether you're building a house or just want to play, want to heal your skin or mess with your kids, wikiHow has your back with instructions and recipes for FOUR different kinds of mud! Just see the sections listed above to find the one that's right for you.


Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Builder's Mud

PDF download Download Article
  1. You'll need sharp sand (also called concrete sand), Portland cement, and water. [1] How much of each will depend on how much mud you need. Both sharp sand and Portland cement should be readily available at your local hardware supply store.
  2. Mix the cement and the sand together until they're well blended. [2] Different people will recommend different ratios for mixing (4:1, 5:1, 6:1, and 7:1), but a ratio of 5 parts sand to 1 part cement is the best starting option.
    • "Stickier", stronger mud should be made using the 4:1 ratio, but this is difficult to mix.
    Advertisement
  3. With the dry ingredients thoroughly mixed add in water slowly until it reaches the right consistency. It should be vaguely damp and stick together when you compress it in your hand. [3]
    • The consistency will be similar to peanut butter.
    • What type of sand you use and what the environment is like where you live will affect how much water you need to use. Use less if you know that you live in a wet area.
  4. Spread your mud as needed for your project. Adjust the ratios if you find they don't work for you.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Beauty Mud

PDF download Download Article
  1. You'll need fuller's earth clay, plain yogurt with live cultures, honey and optionally aloe vera and tea tree oil. The clay may need to be bought online, although you should be able to purchase it from a hardware store. The rest should be available at large grocery stores. [4]
  2. Mix two tablespoons of the clay with 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) of yogurt, 1 teaspoon of honey, and either 2-3 drops of tea tree oil or 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) aloe vera (depending on if you want these).
    • The tea tree oil is good for fighting acne, the aloe vera for repairing damaged skin.
  3. Wash your face first. Then, with the ingredients completely mixed, use a clean brush (like a paint brush or a cheap makeup brush) to apply it to your face. Be careful not to get it in your eyes.
  4. After allowing the mask to sit on your face for at least half an hour (1-2 hours is best), rinse it off completely.
    5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Play Mud

PDF download Download Article
  1. You'll need cornstarch, water, and food coloring or cocoa powder.
  2. If you're using food coloring to get the brown, dirt look, use equal amounts of red, blue, and yellow food coloring (2 drops of each should suffice).
  3. Starting with 1-2 cups of cornstarch, mix in the cocoa powder if this is how you're getting the brown color. With those ingredients mixed, or minus the cocoa if using the food coloring, slowly add in water and mix the two together. Stop adding water when you get the magic consistency, where it's hard when you touch it but melts when you don't. [5]
  4. If you want, you can add in real dirt for texture or other kitchen materials, like rice flour or baking soda. This will give your play "mud" a grittier texture, like real mud. [6]
    5. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Regular Mud

PDF download Download Article
  1. The most ideal place is in an open, fertile dirt area without grass. Avoid dirt with stones, twigs, oil leaks, or other debris in it.
  2. If you want deep mud, first make deep grooves, channels, or holes in the dirt. Make the spaces evenly, but near each other.
  3. Occasionally, use a stick (or your hand) to stir the dirt-mud around so it'll absorb the water. Keep using your stick to check the mud until it's the desired texture.
  4. As the mud gets wetter, stir and check it more often. Enjoy!
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can I eat the Play Mud?
    Community Answer
    No, you should not eat the Play Mud. It is not safe.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 28
  • Question
    What is a ratio of water and dirt that can be used to make mud?
    Community Answer
    Honestly, just play with it. Get some dirt, and some water add different amounts, a little at a time works best.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 8
  • Question
    Which mud is best to go barefoot in?
    Undertale4141
    Top Answerer
    You can go barefoot in any mud. However, it is safest to stick to the mud in your back yard. Also, steer clear of glass, rusty nails and anything else that could potentially cut you or otherwise hurt you.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 10
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Do not put too much water, or else the mud will be too runny.
        Thanks
        Helpful 17 Not Helpful 3
      • Some dirt simply does not work with this method.
        Thanks
        Helpful 13 Not Helpful 4
      • If you decide to use a grassy area, be sure you get permission from your parents or whoever owns the lawn. Not everyone wants their yard to be messy or without grass in a patch!
        Thanks
        Helpful 9 Not Helpful 5
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Hose and water
      • Stick to mix and test the "mud" (optional)


      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Make Shrinky Dinks
      How to
      Build a Bridge with Popsicle Sticks
      4 DIY Methods to Make an Awesome Toy Car with Recycled Materials
      How to
      Build a Popsicle House
      How to
      Make a Cardboard Car
      How to
      Make Pipe Cleaner Flowers
      How to
      Make a Paper Tree for Kids
      How to
      Make a Pipe Cleaner Reindeer
      How to
      Harden and Preserve Sand Dollars
      How to
      Make Homemade Chalk
      How to
      Make Potions (for Small Kids)
      How to
      Care for Your Pet Rock
      How to
      Make a Bouncy Ball (Without Borax)
      How to
      Make a Pinwheel
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ http://www.johnbridge.com/how-to/deck-mud/
      2. ↑ http://matse1.matse.illinois.edu/concrete/bm.html
      3. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/masonry/pouring-concrete/how-to-properly-mix-concrete/
      4. ↑ https://www.prevention.com/beauty/skin-care/g26752006/best-diy-face-masks/
      5. ↑ https://sciencebob.com/oobleck-the-corn-starch-and-water-experiment/
      6. ↑ https://sciencebob.com/oobleck-the-corn-starch-and-water-experiment/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make real mud, find an open area without grass, then make a trough in the dirt. Use a garden hose or a bucket to fill the trough with water, stirring the mixture occasionally with a stick. If you want to make play mud, mix together cornstarch and cocoa powder, then slowly add in water. You can add baking soda to the play mud if you want to give it a texture similar to real mud. To make beauty mud, mix together fuller’s earth clay, plain yogurt, honey, and tea tree oil, then apply the mixture to your face. Leave the mask on from 30 minutes to 2 hours, then rinse it off completely. If you need to learn how to make builder's mud, continue reading the article!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 77,011 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement