# Best Clay Slip and Magic Water

Source: https://potterynest.com/best/best-clay-slip-and-magic-water
Updated: 2026-10-29
Publisher: Pottery Nest. Our score is an editorial rating out of 10 (fit 35%, features 25%, build 20%, value 20%), not a customer rating. Method: https://potterynest.com/how-we-research#our-score

Slip and magic water are the two workhorse solutions for joining clay, and knowing when to use each prevents the heartbreak of handles popping off in the kiln. Slip is simply clay suspended in water, best for filling gaps and attaching pieces at similar moisture levels, while magic water uses sodium silicate and soda ash to partially dissolve the clay surface, creating stronger bonds on stiffer or leather-hard joins. For home potters, a small investment in proper joining materials eliminates the most common cause of cracked attachments. This guide compares premixed slips, magic water ingredients and recipes, and commercial joining products, and explains which option suits handles, sculptural joins, and slip trailing decoration so your attachments survive drying and firing.

## Picks

### 1. Penguin Pottery - Sodium Silicate for Pottery, Deflocculant, Liquid Glass, Waterglass, High Temperature Sealant (16 fl.oz / 473 ml)

Our score: 8.4/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10)

Penguin Pottery's 16 fl.oz / 473 ml sodium silicate, a liquid glass deflocculant and sealant for magic water and slip.

Pros:
- Key ingredient for mixing magic water to join and repair clay
- Also thins casting slip as a classic deflocculant
- 16 fl.oz bottle covers many batches since only small amounts are used

Cons:
- Alkaline liquid needs gloves and careful handling
- Can harden plaster mold surfaces if used for casting slip long term

Details: https://potterynest.com/product/B08C4PBWK6

### 2. Alliance Chemical Soda Ash (Sodium Carbonate) - 5 Lb - for Tie Dye, Water Softening, and Industrial Cleaning

Our score: 6.9/10 (Fit for the job 6/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10)

Alliance Chemical's 5 Lb soda ash (sodium carbonate), a raw material used in magic water recipes and glaze mixing.

Pros:
- Soda ash is a common ingredient in DIY magic water for attaching clay
- 5 Lb container lasts a very long time for pottery use
- Alliance Chemical supplies it as a pure chemical with clear labeling

Cons:
- Marketed for tie dye and cleaning, so pottery instructions are absent
- Irritating powder needs gloves and a dust mask when handling

Details: https://potterynest.com/product/B0CLVT23RM

### 3. MAXTITE Soda Ash Lite (2 lbs) - 100% Pure Sodium Carbonate - Washing Soda, pH Increaser, HDPE Container with Resealable Cap

Our score: 6.9/10 (Fit for the job 6/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10)

MAXTITE Soda Ash Lite, 2 lbs of 100% pure sodium carbonate in a resealable HDPE container, usable in magic water mixes.

Pros:
- Resealable HDPE container keeps powder dry between uses
- 100% pure sodium carbonate avoids unwanted additives in clay mixes
- 2 lbs is a practical size for small pottery studios

Cons:
- Sold for pools and laundry, so pottery dosing must come from elsewhere
- Handle with care, as the dust irritates skin and eyes

Details: https://potterynest.com/product/B09967K49P

### 4. Sodium Carbonate 20 lbs. (Soda Ash, pH Increase) 99.95% Purity

Our score: 6.3/10 (Fit for the job 5/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10)

Sodium carbonate at 99.95% purity in a 20 lbs. bag, a bulk soda ash supply for glaze and magic water recipes.

Pros:
- 99.95% purity is well suited to precise glaze and slip recipes
- 20 lbs. supply suits studios mixing glazes in quantity
- Bulk buying lowers cost for regular chemical users

Cons:
- Far more than a hobby potter will use for magic water
- Large bag needs dry, sealed storage to avoid clumping

Details: https://potterynest.com/product/B01G61NU0I

### 5. Sodium Silicate for Pottery, Deflocculant, Liquid Glass, Liquid Sodium Silicate, Waterglass, Silica Water, High Temperature Sealant

Our score: 6.1/10 (Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 6/10)

A liquid sodium silicate waterglass for pottery, used as deflocculant, magic water base and high temperature sealant.

Pros:
- Works as a base for homemade magic water to join clay pieces
- Multi-use product also serves as a slip deflocculant
- High temperature sealant use makes it handy beyond pottery

Cons:
- Check the concentration percentage before calculating your dosing
- Label the container clearly since it looks similar to other clear liquids

Details: https://potterynest.com/product/B0GY99KMZ7

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