How To Store Polymer Clay Properly

As a jewelry maker and crafter, you’ll know that there’s nothing worse than your supplies and materials going to waste. And if you work primarily with polymer clay, then you’ll know that making the most of your stock is vital to getting a good return on all your hard work.

That’s why we’ve put together some hints and tips on how to store polymer clay properly. It may sound simple, but with an extra bit of know-how, your polymer clay stores will still be usable in years to come.

How to store polymer clay

If you’ve already been working with polymer clay for some time, you’ll know that one of the most annoying things about coming to use some are finding any dust or lint that’s clinging to your clay! It’s difficult to remove and makes working with that piece of clay particularly tricky. That’s why storing clay is an essential step in ensuring your production process is made simple.

What is the best way to store polymer clay?

Figuring out how to store polymer clay for your own requirements may be trial and error, but one thing’s for sure, the main thing you want to keep away from your polymer clay is dust, hair, and lint. To keep your polymer clay lint-free in storage it’s a good idea to keep it in re-sealable plastic bags. That way you keep the dust and debris at bay and it also means that you can label the containers with the brand’s product code – helping you to re-identify which color you need when it comes to re-stocking your polymer clay provisions.

Do I need to have airtight polymer clay storage?

It’s not necessary to use airtight containers for your polymer clay as it’s a non-reactive substance that won’t react with air.

How long will my polymer clay last?

If stored correctly, your polymer clay can last for years. As a general rule, many crafters say that you shouldn’t be keeping polymer clay for longer than a year. However, there is no reason why your clay can’t be sustained for longer if it’s still workable.

Where is the best place to store polymer clay?

The main factor that will affect your polymer clay is sunlight and excessive heat. If polymer clay has been left out in direct sunlight for quite some time you may find that it partially cures the clay, making it hard to mold and unusable. The best place to store polymer clay is in a cool place – a cool cupboard is beautiful – but the best place to store it is in the fridge. Some crafters freeze their polymer clay but that’s not entirely necessary as long as it’s kept at room temperature or lower. And if you do store your polymer clay in the fridge – just make sure it doesn’t come into contact with any food

Could I store cured and uncured polymer clay together?

Storing cured and uncured polymer clay together is not advised. There’s a possibility that the plasticizers from the uncured clay could cause the cured clay to weaken, forcing it to revert to its uncured state and weakening your work.

Polymer Clay Storage Tips:

• Placing each packet of clay in resealable bags or wrapping them separately in cling film is a great way to make sure that the color does not transfer from one block to the next.
• Want to use glass containers for storing clay? That’s fine too. The clay won’t react with a glass container.
• Try not to place uncured polymer clay on an unclean surface. It’s likely that any dust or particles will get trapped in the clay and make it difficult to work with.
• Have you used a cutlery knife to section off some of your polymer clay? As a general rule, any tools or kitchen utensils that you’ve used should become for clay use only. That will ensure that none of the clay comes into contact with food or any other kitchen utensils you use to cook with.

Now that you know how to store polymer clay properly, you can make the most of your clay stores, and easily stock up on new polymer clay colors without worrying about any of them going to waste.

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