Q&A for How to Make Homemade Polymer Clay Substitute

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Can I use PVC glue for it?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. White glue or PVA or PVC or wood glue are all the same. Any thick white glue should work fine.

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Question

Do I bake the clay in the oven at home?

Community Answer

If you have an oven, you could but it's not necessary. Alternatively, find a very warm spot in the house, such as on the porch or in a windowsill that gets very hot during the day. Or, use a hair dryer on the clay (which will require about an hour, so set the hair dryer up on a stand).

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Question

Can I use flour instead of cornstarch?

Community Answer

You can but it can result in many cracks in your final product. Cornstarch will give you a much better result.

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Question

How cool should the clay be before I wrap it and put it in the fridge?

Community Answer

The clay should be about room temperature. You want to get it into the fridge as soon as possible, but you also don't want it to be too warm. If the clay is too warm, your fridge will use more energy to cool it down. The heat could also cause the plastic wrap to melt.

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Question

What are stearic and citric acids, and where can I get them?

Community Answer

Citric acid (C6H807) is a low-pH compound commonly found in fruits such as lemons, oranges, and other citrus fruits. A chemist/pharmacist is the best source for cleaning and laboratory uses; oranges won't provide you enough for making a homemade polymer clay substitute, at least! Stearic acid (C18H36O2) or Octadecanoic acid is a waxy solid and is often used as a soap, cosmetic, and detergent. Again, check a chemist/pharmacist for a bottle.

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Question

After I have made the clay and make something, then bake it in the oven, will it become hard?

Community Answer

It should do. If not, leave it out overnight in a warm and dry environment.

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Question

Can I microwave it?

Community Answer

No, this cannot be dried in the microwave.

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Question

Can I color the clay? Not just paint it after it has dried, but add pigment to the clay itself.

Community Answer

You could probably add a bit of acrylic paint and knead it into the clay.

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Question

Is the clay waterproof?

Community Answer

No, you should seal it with some sort of spray coating if you want to make it waterproof.

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Question

Could I use olive oil as a baby oil substitute?

Community Answer

No, only use baby oil. It will be too oily with olive oil, and you won't be able to shape it.

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Question

When everything is made, painted and dried can it be put outside, making a fairy garden (for example)?

Community Answer

It can, just make sure to put a sealer over it, like modge podge, or even just thick glues.

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Question

Can I use a substitute for lemon juice?

Community Answer

White vinegar is often substituted for lemon juice. These ingredients help to prevent mold.

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Question

For how many days can I keep my leftover clay?

Community Answer

If stored in a sealed Ziploc bag, it can last for about a week.

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Question

What can I use in place of mineral oil?

Community Answer

Any oil will work. You can also use Vaseline or petroleum jelly, lotion, or cold cream.

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Question

Can arrowroot be used instead of cornstarch in polymer clay?

Community Answer

No. Cornstarch is the only kind of flour that will work.

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Question

Can I just stir the glue and water until a clay-like substance results?

Community Answer

No, because glue and water just results in diluted glue, you need to add fibers of some sort.

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Question

What is stearic acid and glycerin?

Community Answer

Glycerin is a common baking ingredient that you should be able to find in the baking section of the supermarket. Stearic acid you should be able to find it at your local pharmacy.

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Question

I'm allergic to corn. Are there any recipes for polymer substitutes that don't require cornstarch?

Community Answer

I have seen people use potato or tapioca starch on YouTube. Try searching for those videos and using one of those methods. (I would recommend the potato starch.)

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Question

Is cornstarch yellow, as in the picture? In Britain it is very fine and completely white.

Community Answer

No, cornstarch is white, but some substitutes for cornstarch like potato starch can sometimes have a yellow hue, depending on where you are buying it from.

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Question

What clay should I use to make animal shaped bowls?

Community Answer

You could use any clay, as long as it's nontoxic.

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Question

How do I make my polymer clay substitute waterproof?

Community Answer

You just have to add a protective top coat.

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Question

Where I can find PVA glue?

Community Answer

You can usually find PVA glue at craft stores. You could also find it at most hardware stores.

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Question

Can this homemade clay be used for making jewelry?

Community Answer

Yes. It could be used for jewelry. I suggest adding a protective top coat to protect your art.

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Question

The color of corn flour is supposed to be white but it is shown orange. What is it?

Community Answer

Corn flour can be yellow or white depending on the type of corn used to make it. Most often it is yellow.

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Question

Can I use potato starch instead of corn starch?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. You can even use arrowroot powder.

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Question

Is there a way to make a clear coating of cold porcelain?

Community Answer

It depends on your exact question. You can apply varnish or transparent acrylic paint as a sealer after making your desired shape in porcelain, but if you are asking to make a transparent batch of dough, then that's not possible since your starch is opaque.

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Question

What coating would I use if I wanted to use clay and to be able to drink out of it?

Community Answer

You could use any water-protective sealant, or even Mod Podge. If you bake it in the oven afterward, it should become hard and be safer.

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Question

Do I need a wooden spoon to make homemade polymer clay substitute?

Community Answer

No, you could try making it with a rubber spatula.

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Question

Does this release fumes when you bake it?

Community Answer

Yes, it explains in the article.

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Question

What can I use as a substitute for stearic and citric acids?

Community Answer

Lemon juice, though it may make your clay smell like lemons. You could also use salt and vinegar.

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