Removal of Mould on Clay In pottery making, the clay must be kept moist so that it remains workable and flexible. However, the organic matter in the clay and the constant humidity create a favourable environment for mould growth. Opening your clay bag to find green and black mould is a common occurrence for many potters. Here are ways to deal with mould on clay. Adding Bleach: You can add bleach to your mud, which is an effective way to combat mould. However, take care to use the right amount and concentration. Cleaning with Vinegar: Vinegar can be used as a natural cleaning agent to combat mould on mud. Try using vinegar diluted with water. Slicing or Removing Mould: If the mould has only slightly spread over the surface of the sludge, you can slice or remove it. Removing mould by kneading: Some pottery artists believe that mould in the clay increases its plasticity and remove it by kneading. Remember that if mould bothers you or you are allergic to mould spores, it is important to get rid of mould on the mud. Be careful when choosing the cleaning method and make your mud healthy and usable.
Ways to remove mould from clay Mould on clay in pottery is a common problem and there are several ways to deal with it. In this article, we will discuss the use of bleach, one of the methods that can be used to get rid of mould on clay. Bleach Usage Adding bleach, a common method among potters, can be effective in combating mould on clay. Here are some steps to consider when using this method: Bleach and Water Mixture: You can make a mixture of water and bleach in a spray bottle. You can spray this mixture on the mould and leave your clay in a bag overnight. Adding Bleach Directly:* Alternatively, you can add a mixture of bleach and water directly to the clay bag. Amount of Water and Bleach Mixture Although adding bleach is a common way to get rid of mould, there are some things to consider. As bleach is a strong chemical, it should be used in a diluted form. Although there are recommended ratios in different sources, it is generally a good measure to use one capful of bleach for one cup of water. It is important to use gloves when making this mixture, because it protects your hands during the mixing of bleach and clay.
Vinegar: The Natural Way to Clean Your Clay If you want to avoid chemicals, a natural method of cleaning your mud is vinegar. Vinegar kills moulds thanks to its acidic properties and this is a safe option as it is not as strong as bleach. Vinegar is quite simple to use. You don't need to dilute the vinegar; you can just spray some of it on the mould in the mud bag or add it to your mud. Add enough vinegar to cover the mouldy area and leave it overnight. You can then knead the mud to the desired consistency. An additional advantage of vinegar is that it makes your mud more plastic. Plastic mud retains its shape for a long time, as well as being soft and workable. However, do not forget that there is also a disadvantage to using vinegar. If you don't use the mud quickly, the vinegar can make an odour. Therefore, we recommend that you use it as soon as possible after cleaning your mud with vinegar.
Cut the Mould on the Clay Often the mould on the mud is only on its surface. So, a simple way to get rid of it is to cut it off. Usually you only need to remove the top layer of mud to get rid of it. This way you do not waste a large part of the mud. Sometimes you can see mould growing in the deeper layers of the mud. This is sometimes related to the way the sludge was produced. Most of the time, however, mould on mud is a surface reaction to a combination of moisture, bacteria and oxygen. The easiest and cleanest way to remove mould is to cut it out with a mud cutter.
Knead the Clay The other option is to knead the clay. Many potters claim that mould on the clay increases its plasticity. According to pottery folklore, clay with a little mould on it is easier to use on the wheel. The logic behind this is that mouldy, slimy or otherwise organic matter helps the clay particles to slide over each other. Whether this is actually the case is a matter of debate. However, even if it does not contribute to plasticity, mould burns easily during firing. Therefore, if you choose to knead the mud, any mould spores, discolouration or streaks will disappear when fired. Of course, if you are allergic to mould, compacting it is not an option. But if mould doesn't bother you too much, this may be the simplest solution.