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How To

How to Clean Plaster Mold

Contributor
By Michelle Bell
eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)

A mold is a negative impression of an object that is used to create copies of that object through a process referred to as "casting." Molds can be made of many different materials, including plaster, rubber and latex, and can be used to make a variety of cast types. Often, molds are made to last through many castings and are only discarded once they have worn out or become damaged. This repeated use can cause molds to become dirty or clogged with the casting materials, necessitating a thorough cleaning.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Large bucket
  • Hot water
  • Sponge
  • Safety goggles
  • Latex gloves
  • Potassium acetate
  • Soft bristle brush
  1. Step 1

    Determine the type of the plaster mold that you would like to clean. A mold can be made of plaster and used to cast in other materials, or a mold can be made of other materials and used to cast plaster. A mold made of plaster is likely to have a clay or dirt buildup, while a mold used for plaster casting will have a buildup of plaster residue.

  2. Step 2

    Fill a bucket with hot water and scrub out the inside of the mold with a sponge. Ideally, you should perform this step after each casting to keep your mold working properly. This is the only step necessary to clean a mold made from plaster.

  3. Step 3

    Mix together a solution of potassium acetate and hot water if you are cleaning a mold used to cast plaster. This type of mold will most likely be made of rubber or latex. Make sure that the solution is 10% potassium acetate to 90% water.

  4. Step 4

    Immerse the mold in the potassium acetate solution. Let the mold sit in the solution overnight.

  5. Step 5

    Remove the mold from the solution. Rinse the mold in clean water, clearing away the plaster buildup.

  6. Step 6

    Run a soft bristle brush over the inside of the mold to remove any remaining plaster. Dry the mold completely.

Tips & Warnings
  • Wear safety goggles and latex gloves when working with the potassium acetate. When finished, wash hands and any surface the solution touched with water and soap.

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