introduction: have you ever wondered how to responsibly and efficiently dispose of clay water in your home pottery studio?
if you’re working with clay at home, you’ve probably noticed that dealing with clay water is one of those not-so-pretty but necessary parts of the process. it’s easy to ignore, but how you handle it matters - for your pipes, your workspace, and the environment. here’s a straightforward guide to managing clay water in ways that work and won’t wreck your plumbing.
what is slip, and why does it matter?
clay water (or “slip”) is the cloudy, silty water left over from working with clay. it might look harmless, but if you pour it down the drain, you’re setting yourself up for clogged pipes and potential environmental issues. the key is separating the clay particles before disposing of or reusing the water.
method 1: settle + separate (this is the one I use)
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collect your clay water in a 5-gallon bucket. a screw-on, airtight lid helps keep things contained and tidy.
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strain it through a fine-mesh sieve into a second bucket. I like using a larger sieve that has a rim or a more rounded basket to avoid spills.
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let it settle overnight. the clay will sink to the bottom, and you’ll be left with clearer water on top.
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remove the water with an XL syringe with a tube attachment - this keeps you from stirring things up while pouring.
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reclaim the clay at the bottom. you can dry it out on a plasterboard or a standard, white drywall patch scrap to re-wedge it later. or, if you’re more advanced, turn it into a casting slip and use it with homemade plaster molds for slipcasting.
repurposing clay water in the garden
if your clay is free of additives, you can reuse the settled water for plants — especially in sandy soil.
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let it settle and dilute - pull clear water off the top, then dilute if needed before using it to water.
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test first - not every plant will love it. try it on a few before going all in.
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watch the moisture - clay can hold water, so you might need to water less often.
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never use it if glazes or stains were involved - anything with heavy metals or chemicals should never touch your plants.
method 2: evaporation (not my favorite, but it works)
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pour clay water into shallow trays.
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let it evaporate in a dry, well-ventilated spot.
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once dry, reclaim the leftover clay.
this is slow and takes space, but if you don’t want to reuse the water or can’t dump it anywhere, it’s a decent fallback.
method 3: clay traps (convenient, but pricier)
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install a clay trap under your sink to catch particles.
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clean it regularly - you can watch a how-to video for installation here and cleaning here
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unless your sink is clay-only, the trapped waste might be too contaminated to reuse.
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there are full clay sink setups on the market if you're ready to splurge - I’m not there yet, but one day.
quick tips to keep things running smoothly
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never pour clay water down the drain without a trap.
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recycle your clay when you can - it saves money and waste.
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check if your town offers proper disposal for ceramic waste.
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keep learning - it’s easy to miss how much our materials affect the world outside the studio.
conclusion
clay water disposal might not be the most fun part of your studio practice, but it’s part of doing this work responsibly. once you have a system, it’s easy to stick with - and way better than dealing with a clogged sink. plus, it’s one more way to care for the space you’re creating in.
