Making your own erasers is a fun and easy project for kids to do to personalize their own school supplies or personal art supplies.Adults enjoy crafting things in small scale to make things like pencil erasers, or even making a homemade "magic eraser" as a cleaning product that gets out tough stains around the home.You can learn how to make different types of easy do-it-yourself erasers.
Step 1: Buy clay.
If you want to make your own erasers, look for crafting clay that is specifically designed for that purpose.Most craft stores have a variety of colors and kits for this special material.Try brands like Sculpey or Creatibles for easy to find eraser clay in a variety of colors, and even some that come with sculpting tools.There is a special type of clay that doesn't harden completely when cooked.The easiest and most consistent way to create a similar substance is to buy premade clay.
Step 2: Warm the clay.
You can squeeze and warm the pieces of the clay by pulling them off.You can change the shape of the pieces.The clay can be used to make fun shapes such as animals, foods, or geometric shapes.The shape that traditional pink rubber erasers come in is easy to hold and use when you want to erase pencil marks.You can blend colors to create one that is not included in the clay kit.Roll and knead two colors together until they are blended.To make sure you get the color you expect, you may want to test two very small pieces.If you make shapes using more than one piece stuck together, you should make sure that they connect well to one another, or they may become detached during cooking.
Step 3: If you want, you can use tools.
Use any household items you have on hand to cut, roll, and shape your clay.You might have some shaping tools with you.Use popsicle sticks, toothpicks, butter knives and cylindrical objects to cut, poke, roll, and shape your eraser clay.To make a unique pattern, you can use objects with interesting texture to press into the clay.If you want to make an eraser that fits on the top of the pencil, you can either use the end of a pencil or shape the clay right onto it.Before putting in the oven or hot water, slide the pencil off and keep its shape.If you want your erasers to be clearly defined, try a silicone mold.You can use mold putty to make your own mold.After packing the clay evenly, pop it out of the mold and trim any excess.
Step 4: Put the erasers in the oven.
If the instructions for your clay say to preheat it, that's what you should do.You should arrange your designs on a baking sheet.The oven should be set to 250 F (130 C) for most eraser clay.erasers should be baked for 20 minutes per inch.Smaller eraser designs are likely to have different cooking times than larger ones.To keep the erasers from sticking, use a piece of foil or wax paper on the baking sheet.Children need adult supervision during this step.
Step 5: Put it in the boiling water.
Put water into a pot and place it on the stove if the instructions say to let them set using boiling water.Place your designs in the boiling water for a few minutes.Make sure the water in the pot is enough to cover the clay designs.If you use this method, leave the erasers in the boiling water for 5 minutes, then turn off the burner, and allow them to sit as the water cools.Put the erasers on a paper towel or napkin after they are removed from the water.Have an adult with you for this entire step.
Step 6: Allow the erasers to cool.
Allow your erasers to cool for a couple of hours after setting them in the oven or on the stove.Use your personalized erasers to remove pencil marks.When the erasers have cooled down, test them out.You may need to set them for longer if they are too soft.You may need to try again if they are too hard.You may want to try thicker shapes if they are brittle.To make your erasers last as long as possible, store them in a sealed container.If exposed to the air for a long period of time, they may become brittle.
Step 7: You should locate and buy the foam.
You can get the material used for Mr. Clean by purchasing foam.Online stores like Amazon have bulk or multi-packs of this foam.You may be able to find this material in stores that specialize in insulation or soundproofing, as melamine foam is also used for these purposes.If your melamine comes in larger sheets or blocks, cut it into an easy-to-handle size, as in a rectangular that is 6 inches long, 4 inches wide, and 1 inch thick, or whatever you prefer.Heavy-duty scissors or a utility knife can be used.
Step 8: The cleaner should be soaked in your eraser.
The foam can be infused with a cleaning agent that will make it act as aneraser for cleaning.You can use any cleaning solution you want.Baking soda and Borax cleaner can be combined to make a simple solution.One sponge-sized piece of foam will be soaked with 12 cup of water and 15 grams of baking soda in a bowl.If you want to make a more natural solution, you can use lemon juice and baking soda and apply your spray cleaner separately.
Step 9: Theeraser can be used for cleaning.
If you want to scrub stains on nearly any surface, you can use excess water from your foam.The porous material is very fine to scrub away stubborn substances.There are many areas that are difficult to clean with other products.If you want to reuse it, store it in a place where it can dry after use.The sponge should be discarded when it becomes discolored.