How to Store Air Dry Clay Once Opened (Keep It Soft for Months)

Storing air dry clay properly after opening is essential unless you’re Bill Gates and can afford to throw away unused clay from previous projects every time you start a new project. 😂

But we are not him. Storing unused air dry clay is a must after you open the package because air dry clay naturally dries in the air and cannot be left outside or in an open environment because air exposure is an enemy of air dry clay. 🌬️

As a beginner, I have tried different ways to store unused air dry clay after making the first few of my trinket trays. 

For example, after making the natural koi fish pond project, which is one of my early projects, I relied on the original packaging and my unused clay chunk was bone dry and crumbled because it was not enough. 🐟

After that incident, I researched this and found a great way to store my air dry clay pieces once I opened the package to keep them soft until I use them again for another project.

Let me tell you how:

Best way to store air dry clay (step-by-step)

I have listed the step-by-step method I follow to store air dry clay safely without losing its moisture level. 📝

Step 1: Mist the clay (optional but recommended)

This step is optional but worth trying to keep the moisture level the same for air dry clay.

After taking enough air dry clay from the package for your project, take the rest and moisten it with a little bit of water by spraying a little bit onto the surface of the clay. 💦

Do the same for the leftover clay after you make the project.

The reason for adding water is that air dry clay dries and loses a little bit of its moisture when handled, and it can be regained by misting the clay before storing.

To keep the clay’s moisture level nearly the same, we mist it so it stays moist for a long time.

Step 2: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap

This step is a must. Take the leftover or unused air dry clay and place it in a polythene bag, plastic bag, ziplock bag, or cling film, get rid of the excess air inside by pushing or blowing air out using your hands, and seal it by wrapping it as tightly as possible against the clay’s surface. 🛍️

Make sure there are no holes in your plastic wrap and it is not dusty, smelly or contaminated with other elements. The plastic wrap should be clean and have nothing inside. It is only for air dry clay.

Step 3: Seal in an airtight plastic container

We’re going to add two layers of protection for air dry clay. One is the plastic wrap, and here we add a plastic container as well. 🛡️

After you wrap the air dry clay tightly in plastic wrap, keep it in an airtight plastic container. I use an ice cream container with no ice cream inside, lol. 🍦

Or you can purchase a dedicated Tupperware airtight container. It completely prevents air from touching your unused air dry clay and keeps it soft for months without harming the clay. 📦

Step 4: Store in a cool dark place

Don’t expose the air dry clay container to sunlight or any other heat source, which can accelerate moisture evaporation and dry the clay. ☀️

It is best to store it in a drawer that is dark and cool inside. 🌙

This is the exact method I follow to store my unused air dry clay.

Common clay storage mistakes to avoid

• Don’t do the following when you’re storing the clay: ⚠️
• Relying on the original packaging: Actually folding over the original foil or plastic wrapper is never enough because it is cracked and air can go inside and react with the clay. It can never be airtight.
• Using containers that are too large: After wrapping the air dry clay with a plastic film, place it in a container that is not too much larger than our clay package because air inside the container can react with the clay, contribute to water evaporation, and dry the clay.

How to revive slightly dried out clay

If your air dry clay is slightly dried after keeping it for a long time after you opened the package, I have a quick fix for you. But it only works if your clay is only slightly dried. Won’t work when it is bone dry. 💡

Tap the clay surface with a little bit of water and knead well using the punch, pull, and press technique for about 3 to 5 minutes. Eventually, the clay will become soft and gain its moisture back. 👐

But make sure to follow the above procedure I told you about when storing the clay again after use.

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