Q&A for How to Make Air Dry Clay

Yes, if you do not have food coloring you can use chalk pastels or even paint.

You can use flour but for 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, you would use 3 tablespoons of flour.

Yes, they can. Use an airtight container and store the clay in it. Keep in a cool, dry place for best results.

This clay is specifically made so you do not have to bake it. You just have to let it air dry until it hardens.

I used an old scratched pot so it stuck a little bit but can easily be washed off. As long as you use a moderate amount of food colouring it won't stain your pot.

If cornstarch is not available, you can use cornflour or rice flour as a substitute.

You only need food coloring if you want your dough to be colored. If you don't, your dough will simply be an off-white or gray color, but it would not affect the consistency at all.

It will not melt (as long as it's completely dried) if you use methods 2 or 3, but the color will fade if you immerse it.

You could just make the recipe without adding food coloring and use paint after the clay dries.

Yes, method one works if you add in lots of soap and more cornstarch so it's not so sticky.

Yes. You can use any type of oil.

Yes, but do not use wood glue, hot glue, or any hard glue, because they won't be moldable. If you have to use wood glue, add 1/2 tablespoon of salt water for each tablespoon of wood glue. It'll be runny, but if you let it dry, it will get stiffer. White glue or multi-purpose glue will work. If your clay doesn't dry quickly, add a little bit of powder on top of the model for a head start.

It usually takes a day or two to completely dry.

No, the corn flour cannot be replaced with tapioca flour.

No, clay most likely won't break down if you apply glaze after it is dried. When dried, the clay should be more stable compared to when wet, so it won't be harmed (as long as you don't soak the clay in glaze).

Air dry clay, especially the store bought stuff, needs to have some kind of food safe gloss over it in order to protect both you and the plate or bowl you may use for eating. As for washing, depending on the kind of clay, I would suggest rinsing with little to no soap or detergent as this could mess with the gloss or clay itself, especially if it is air dry. Most of the time, air dry clay is just for show, as other types of clay that can be baked or kilned are better for eating purposes.

I've heard that lotion can be substituted, but I've never tried it.

Put a little water on your hand and then mold. Every so often, wet your hands until done.

Yes, any oil will work. As long as it is a colorless oil that doesn't smell.

No, baking soda is for expanding in foods and makes the bread/baking thing taste, feel, and look better. There is usually baking soda in your local baking store or supermarket.

Yes. Any oil will work fine, but a strong oil may add a slightly oily smell to the clay.

No. Cornmeal and cornstarch are two different things and are not interchangeable.

Yes. For example, in some baking you can triple the amount of baking powder as a substitute for baking soda. Typically you'll want to add a little extra salt as well when you make this substitution.

Add a tablespoon of cornstarch for each tablespoon of flour.

Nothing there are key ingredients you need from the glue. You can buy glue at any dollar store.

Both baking soda and baking powder are leavening agents, which means they are added to baked goods before cooking to produce carbon dioxide. This causes them to 'rise.' Baking powder contains baking soda, but the two substances are used under different conditions.

You can put it under a low fan, cooling it faster and the air circulation will make it harden faster.

No. Despite the name, the clay made through method 3 uses white glue, which is atoxic when handled but toxic when ingested.

Yes, or you could even paint over it when it's completely dry and solid.

You can't use sugar because it isn't the right consistency.