How to best care for and store your clay

Clay is a living material that is affected by air, temperature, and how you handle it in your everyday life. If you take care of the clay properly, it will last a long time and be easy to work with. If you let your routine slip, it will dry out, become uneven, and be difficult to work with.

Here, we go through the basics of how to store, rehydrate, and look after your clay in a way that works over time.

Store the clay airtight

The most important thing when storing any clay is to prevent air from reaching it.

• Do not open the clay packaging until it is truly ready to be used.
• Opened clay should be sealed again, for example using heavy-duty plastic bags or by taping the packaging shut.
• Press out as much air as possible before tying or sealing.
• If possible, place the bag in an airtight plastic box or a bucket with a lid.
• Avoid thin plastic bags and open containers – this causes the clay to dry unevenly, often starting at the edges.

Right place and temperature

Clay should be stored in a stable environment: cool but frost-free.

• Recommended temperature: 5–18 °C
• Avoid direct sunlight
• Do not store near radiators or underfloor heating
• If the clay has frozen: the clay itself is not ruined, but it will need more processing to regain an even and workable consistency.

Keep track of moisture

Good clay should be evenly moist and supple – not sticky and not dry.

If the clay starts to feel dry:

• Spray lightly with water
• Seal properly
• Let it rest so the moisture has time to distribute evenly

Avoid pouring on large amounts of water directly. It results in an uneven consistency and can ruin the feel of the material.

Tip: Always knead the clay before you start creating.

How to rehydrate dry clay

If the clay has dried out, it can often be saved.

1. Break the clay into smaller pieces
2. Moisten lightly with water
3. Place in a plastic bag and seal completely
4. Let it rest for at least 24 hours

Clay takes time to absorb moisture – patience yields the best results.

Don't forget: Knead the clay before you create.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Leaving clay out in the studio so it dries out
• Rehydrating too quickly
• Storage in sunlight, drafts, or heat
• Most problems with clay are not due to the material – but rather how it is handled.

Summary

Good clay management is a fundamental part of the ceramic craft. With simple routines, you can save material, time, and frustration – and get clay that works with you instead of against you.