Clay beads are a popular craft material used to make jewelry, ornaments, and other decorative items. Over time, clay beads can get dirty and stained. Cleaning them helps restore their look and allows you to reuse old beads for new projects. With some simple household ingredients, you can easily clean clay beads at home.
Inspect Your Beads
First, inspect your clay beads and jewelry to see how dirty they are. Look for discoloration, grime buildup, and any stuck on residue. Pay attention to crevices and carved areas where dirt can collect. This will help you gauge what level of cleaning is needed. Heavily soiled beads may need more intensive cleaning methods.
Supplies for Cleaning Clay Beads
You likely already have everything needed to clean clay beads at home. Useful supplies include:
-Mild dish soap
-Warm water
-Old toothbrush
-Q-tips
-Microfiber cloth
-Baking soda
-Vinegar
-Plastic containers or bowls
Gently Clean with Soap and Water
For most clay beads, a mild dish soap diluted in warm water works wonders. Make a cleaning solution by adding a couple drops of liquid soap to a bowl of warm water. Let the beads soak for 5-10 minutes so the soap can lift dirt and oils.
Use a soft brush like an old toothbrush to gently scrub the bead surfaces. Get into carved crevices. Q-tips can clean hard to reach areas. Rinse the beads thoroughly until all soap residue is gone. Lay them out to air dry on a microfiber cloth.
For stuck on grime or clay residue, let the beads soak longer before scrubbing. Repeatedly soak and scrub may be needed for very dirty beads. Take care not to scrub too aggressively on fragile beads as this can cause damage.
Clean with Baking Soda
For discolored or stained beads, baking soda can help restore vibrancy. Make a paste by mixing baking soda with just enough water to form a thick consistency. Rub the paste onto beads using a soft cloth or toothbrush. Let sit for 5 minutes before rinsing clean. The gentle abrasive properties of baking soda help lift discoloration without harming the beads.
Remove Odors with Vinegar
If beads have picked up odors from perfumes, foods, or being stored improperly, vinegar is a great odor eliminator. Soak beads for 1-2 hours in undiluted white vinegar. For stronger odors, you can gently simmer the beads in vinegar on the stove. Rinse beads well in water afterwards so they don’t retain any vinegar scent.
Deep Clean Jewelry and Beads
Over time, clay beads on jewelry can get grimy with skin oils, lotions, and dirt. To deep clean:
- Remove beads from the jewelry if possible by unstringing. If beads are glued on, leave in place.
- Fill a bowl with warm water and a few drops of dish soap. For delicate clay beads, use a very dilute soap solution.
- Immerse the jewelry or loose beads. Let soak for 10-15 minutes.
- Scrub with a soft brush and rinse until clean. Use a cloth to wipe down and dry jewelry pieces.
- If needed, use a jewelry polishing cloth to restore shine. Repair any restringing needed.
Proper Storage
To keep clay beads clean longer after cleaning, store them in an airtight plastic container in a cool, dry place. Prevent exposure to dust, dirt, and moisture. Keep them separate from other materials that could cause staining or odors. Proper storage helps maintain their cleaned state.
Tips for Cleaning Polymer Clay
Polymer clay is a type of modeling clay that hardens when baked. Here are some tips for cleaning polymer clay:
Clean Tools
- Remove bulk clay with tissue or paper towel first.
- Wash tools in warm soapy water using an old toothbrush.
- For stubborn baked on clay, soak in soapy water for 15 minutes before scrubbing.
- Avoid metal tool contact with jewelry cleaner, which can damage the tools.
Clean Work Surfaces
- Wipe up raw clay with tissues or wet wipes frequently while working.
- For dried clay, apply rubbing alcohol to the surface and let sit before scrubbing with a plastic scraper.
- Avoid getting alcohol on plastic surfaces like mats as it can damage them.
- For countertops and other surfaces, spray with glass cleaner and wipe clean. Use a plastic scraper on stubborn areas.
Clean Baked Clay
- Allow baked clay pieces to fully cool before handling to avoid fingerprints and smudges.
- To remove light dirt, wipe gently with a damp cloth.
- For tougher stains on cured pieces, apply a baking soda paste and rinse.
Regular cleaning while working with polymer clay keeps tools, work areas, and finished pieces looking their best. Always use gentle cleaning methods that do not degrade the clay. With the proper care, you can maintain the pristine look of your polymer clay creations.
Creating Clay Bead Jewelry
Making jewelry with clay beads is an enjoyable DIY craft project. Here are some design ideas:
- Make basic stretch bracelets by stringing clay beads onto elastic cord in fun patterns and textures. These are easy to make and comfortable to wear.
- Craft boho-chic long necklaces from differently shaped clay beads accented with tassels. Go for an eclectic look.
- Adorn leather cord with chunky clay beads for mens bracelets with natural texture.
- Combine air dry clay shapes with delicate seed beads to make one-of-a-kind earrings.
- Press small clay beads into a clay pendant base before baking for an embedded look.
- Adhere clay beads onto headbands and barrettes using strong glue. Allow to fully cure.
- String beads, charms, and spacers onto memory wire to create unbreakable clay bead bracelets.
The possibilities are endless when making clay bead jewelry! Let your creativity run wild while enjoying this satisfying hobby that produces beautiful wearable art. With proper cleaning and care, clay bead jewelry will stay looking great for years to come.