Preparing Powdered Clay for
External Use
Preparing powdered bentonite for external use is not difficult,
but may require some patience. On average, the amount of water required
to properly hydrate bentonite will be from four to five times the amount
of clay, by volume. For every one cup of bentonite, at least four cups
of water will be required to fully hydrate the clay to produce a magma
that can be considered colloidal.
While there is not one single method to prepare clay, our
experience suggests the following method:
1. Add the powdered clay to the container, layering it
not more than three inches thick. If one is making more clay, add about
4 times the water to the container at this point, then add another "layer" of
powdered clay, again, not more than three inches deep. This process can
be repeated.
2. If the layering method is not used, then once the powdered
clay is in the container, the water is then added.
3. It takes time for the clay to hydrate. If one finds
that the powdered clay is not adsorbing water, then one may gently create
small holes from the top to the bottom of the container, which will allow
the water to penetrate to the bottom of the container.
4. Mixing the clay is not recommended. If neccessary, one
can "turn" the clay by taking the clay that is on the bottom
of the container and moving it to the top.
5. Complete hydration can take from 48 hours to five days,
depending on the clay and the amount of clay being made.
The end product should be a gel substance without clumping.
The more one interferes in the process, the greater the chance of clumping.
When placed in a container, one should be able to feel a "bounce" to
the clay, by holding the container in one hand and tapping it with the
other.
If the clay is not hydrated enough, it is easy to add small
amounts of water. We recommend creating medium sized holes ( if a large
container is used to make the clay ) that penetrate to the bottom of
the container, and slowly adding water so that the water fills from the
bottom of the container up. No mixing is required. Simply allow the clay
to set and expand.
Apply caution when handling processed powdered clay. One
should avoid breathing in the fine powder.
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