<p>try the following approach:</p>
<ol>
<li>Start by kneading the clay vigorously on a clean surface. After kneading for a while, repeatedly cut and compress the clay to further distribute the moisture.</li>
<li>If you have access to the same type of dry clay, incorporate small amount of it into the sticky clay. Gradually add small portions while kneading and wedging, until the desired consistency achieved.</li>
<li>As you mentioned by yourself, adding a small amount of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) to water can create an alkaline solution. You may lightly spray the clay with this solution while kneading and wedging. Be cautious not to add too much of this solution, as it can make the clay too wet.</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-11-05T18:21:33.943Z
2023-11-05T18:22:16.953Z
2023-11-05T18:22:16.953Z
Art History
<p>I've added too much vinegar to my clay and made it too sticky. Is there any fast way to get back the plasticity other than just slowly drying and then adding water back in? Would an alkaline solution work - a little bicarb in the water?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-10T22:33:55.677Z
Vinegar is added to increase plasticity, so it may be that the problem is simply too much liquid.  Before modifying the pH or adding more liquid, try letting a sample dry out a little, with occasional kneading.  See if it becomes less sticky.
fixer1234
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-11T05:30:44.613Z
I thought it made it more 'sticky' - great for joining as it breaks down the clay, but not for plasticity as such.
LeasMaps
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-22T21:31:54.337Z
Find any solution?
rebusB
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-10-01T01:04:48.933Z
Not really, but I think it was just too wet. This is the first time I've reused clay (my normal pottery class is closed while we get Covid under control in Australia) so it's all a learning process!
LeasMaps
<clay>
Too much vinegar in clay - how to get back plasticity
LeasMaps
# Too much vinegar in clay - how to get back plasticity

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-05-10)

I've added too much vinegar to my clay and made it too sticky. Is there any fast way to get back the plasticity other than just slowly drying and then adding water back in? Would an alkaline solution work - a little bicarb in the water?

**Tags:** clay

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Vinegar is added to increase plasticity, so it may be that the problem is simply too much liquid.  Before modifying the pH or adding more liquid, try letting a sample dry out a little, with occasional kneading.  See if it becomes less sticky.  
> **username_0**: I thought it made it more 'sticky' - great for joining as it breaks down the clay, but not for plasticity as such.  
> **username_2**: Find any solution?  
> **username_0**: Not really, but I think it was just too wet. This is the first time I've reused clay (my normal pottery class is closed while we get Covid under control in Australia) so it's all a learning process!  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2023-11-05. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

try the following approach:

1. Start by kneading the clay vigorously on a clean surface. After kneading for a while, repeatedly cut and compress the clay to further distribute the moisture.
2. If you have access to the same type of dry clay, incorporate small amount of it into the sticky clay. Gradually add small portions while kneading and wedging, until the desired consistency achieved.
3. As you mentioned by yourself, adding a small amount of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) to water can create an alkaline solution. You may lightly spray the clay with this solution while kneading and wedging. Be cautious not to add too much of this solution, as it can make the clay too wet.


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