Polymer clay picks up dust and particles really easy, so it’s good to have some cleaning options. Preparation is the key to minimize the need for cleaning polymer clay!
Before I start sculpting, I make sure my work surface is dust free and my hands are clean. I wipe the surface with wet baby wipes and wait until my sculpting mat is dry. The same goes for the tools. However, I usually clean them after each sculpting session and store in a box with a lid. This way, my instruments are clean and ready to go right away the next time.
However, preparation alone cannot fully save your clay from tiny particles that might be flying in the air. When I’m done sculpting my figurine and just before baking, I clean sculpted polymer clay itself. I take a cotton swab and dip it in some rubbing alcohol. Then, I gently wipe dust or lint off the polymer clay in circular motion. For larger pieces, baby wipes work too. If all else fails and there’s a stubborn little fiber that just won’t come off, I use a needle tool to lift it. Then, I smooth out the surface with alcohol dipped cotton swab. This usually does the trick.
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