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How to Make Air Dry Clay Dry Faster? 5 Easy Ways

  • Lindsay
  • Posted: March 20, 2022 - Updated at: November 13, 2022
How to Make Air Dry Clay Dry Faster?
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Air-dry clay is a type of clay that can be dried without using an oven or kiln, unlike polymer clay. This makes it a popular choice for artists and crafters, allowing them to work with a more flexible clay. The drying process for air dry clay usually takes several days, depending on the thickness of the piece. During this time, it’s essential to avoid exposing the clay to moisture, which can cause it to soften and lose shape. Some artists use a drying rack or other drying methods to speed up the process. When the clay is fully dry, it will be hard and durable, making it perfect for finished pieces that must be handled carefully.
 
Related: Things To Make Out Of Clay: 8 Ideas For All Levels

Table of Contents

  • 1 How to Make Air Dry Clay Dry Faster?
  • 2 How long does air dry clay take to dry?
  • 3 Can you put air-dry clay in the microwave?
  • 4 How to make air dry clay dry faster without an oven
  • 5 How to dry air dry clay without cracking it
  • 6 The differences between polymer clay and air dry clay
  • 7 Conclusion

How to Make Air Dry Clay Dry Faster?

5 tricks you can do to help air-dry clay dry faster:

Step1: Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the clay for about 15 minutes. This will help to draw out the moisture from the clay so that it dries faster.

Step 2: Another option is to put the clay in a dehydrator or desiccant chamber. This will help absorb the clay’s moisture and speed up drying.

Step 3: You can use a hairdryer on low heat, be careful to hold it too close to your piece to avoid cracking.

Step 4: You can use a Dehydrator. A dehydrator can help to dry air dry clay faster by circulating warm air around it. This will help the clay to dry more quickly, which can be especially helpful if you are in a hurry to finish a project. Be sure to set the dehydrator to a low temperature so the clay does not damage or discolor.

Step 5:v You can use a desiccant chamber. There are a few different desiccant chambers available, so be sure to choose one that will work best for your needs. With a desiccant chamber, you can quickly and efficiently dry your clay, making your crafting process easier and more efficient.

Finally, you can let the clay air dry in a well-ventilated area. This may take longer, but it is a simple way to get the job done.

How long does air dry clay take to dry?

The amount of time it takes for air-dry clay to dry can vary depending on a few factors. One is the thickness of the clay. If the clay is thin, it will dry faster than if it is thick. Another factor is the temperature and humidity of the clay drying area. If it is a warm and dry environment, the clay will dry faster than if it is cold and humid. Finally, how well-ventilated the area is will also affect the drying time. Air-dry clay usually takes 24-48 hours to dry completely. However, it is best to check on the clay periodically to be sure. If you’re looking for a quicker option, you may consider modeling clay that will dry in less than 24h.

Baking air dry clay can cause it to warp or crack. It is best to avoid this method altogether if you can. If you need to speed up the drying process, try putting the clay in a dehydrator or desiccant chamber. These methods will help absorb the clay’s moisture and speed up the drying process without damaging the clay.

Can you put air-dry clay in the microwave?

It is not recommended to put air-dry clay in the microwave as it can cause the clay to heat up and potentially burn you. If you need to warm up the clay for any reason, it is best to do so using a conventional oven or a dehydrator. This will help ensure that the clay does not get too hot and is heated evenly. Microwaving can result in hot spots on the clay, which can cause it to burn or melt. So, it is best to avoid this method altogether.

One common mistake people make when trying to dry air dry clay is not letting it air dry completely before baking or using another drying method. This can cause the clay to warp or crack. Another mistake is not pre-heating the oven properly before baking the clay. This can also cause the clay to warp or crack. Finally, people sometimes put air dry clay in the microwave, which can cause it to burn or melt. So, it is best to avoid this method altogether.

Related:  8 Amazing Clay Bead Bracelet Ideas You Must Try!

How to make air dry clay dry faster without an oven

You can do a few things to help air dry clay dry faster without using an oven. One is to put the clay in a dehydrator or desiccant chamber. This will help absorb the clay’s moisture and speed up drying. Another option is to let the clay air dry in a well-ventilated area. This may take longer, but it is a simple way to get the job done. Finally, you can try using a hairdryer on low heat to help speed up the drying process. Just be sure not to hold the hairdryer too close to the clay, as it can cause it to warp or crack.

How to dry air dry clay without cracking it

There are a few ways to dry air dry clay without cracking it. One is to let the clay air dry in a well-ventilated area. This may take longer, but it is a simple way to get the job done. Another option is to put the clay in a dehydrator or desiccant chamber. This will help absorb the clay’s moisture and speed up drying. Finally, you can try using a hairdryer on low heat to help speed up the drying process.

Just be sure not to hold the hairdryer too close to the clay, as it can cause it to warp or crack. Ultimately, the key is to take your time and not rush the process. 90% of cracked pieces come from crafters rushing to dry up their projects. When you’ve invested time and energy working on a piece, it is not worth wasting everything to save the day. Instead, you can work on more than one piece at a time and create some form of rotation between the making and the drying. 

The differences between polymer clay and air dry clay

Polymer clay is a type of modeling clay that contains polymers. Polymer clays are available in various colors and can be mixed to create new colors. Air-dry clay is a type of modeling clay that does not contain any polymers. Air-dry clay is available in fewer colors than polymer clay but can be painted after it dries.

Polymer clay is more versatile than air-dry clay because it can be baked in an oven to harden, while air-dry clay will harden on its own over time. Polymer clay can also be sanded and drilled after it has been baked, while air dry clay cannot.

Air-dry clay is less expensive than polymer clay and requires no special equipment. Air-dry clay is also less likely to crack or break than polymer clay.

If you are looking for clay that is easy to use and does not require any special equipment, then air dry clay is a good option. If you are looking for a more versatile clay that can be used to create more complex projects, then polymer clay is the better option.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are various tricks to speed up the drying process of air-dry clay from hairdryer to oven to Dehydrator and desiccant chambers. If you can’t wait for 24 to 48h for natural drying, then I suggest only using the 2 later options. This is your best bet to keep your project intact and save valuable time.
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Lindsay

Hi, I’m Lindsay Conner, an author, modern quilter, editor, and founder of the Lindsay Sews blog. I’m a Baby Lock ambassador and Stash Books author who loves writing modern sewing and quilt patterns for beginners and weekend sewists! I live in Indianapolis, Indiana with my husband, son, and two loveable cats, Murph and Chloe. I’ve been crafting for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I saved my dollar bills for trips with my mom to Jo-Ann Fabrics, where I’d find new floss for friendship bracelets or mini cross-stitch kits. Because my mom has always shared my love for crafting, she bought me my first sewing machine, a Hello Kitty Janome.

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3 comments
  1. Pingback: 15 Amazing Air-Dry Clay Ideas To Get Started - Craftbuds
  2. Pingback: Polymer Clay - The Ultimate Guide - Craftbuds
  3. Terri Sidell says:
    May 28, 2022 at 1:05 pm

    Thank-you for sharing how to dry air dry clay. I was wondering if I could make a Desiccant Chamber with a glass bottle & lid, and put in the silica gel packets to dry air dry clay??

    Reply

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