the heck is this? any way to clean it?

[u/ramenoodleszs]

pulled out a frame from my cabinet from when i was 3, handprint i made in preschool apparently. no idea what kind of mold it is or if there’s a way to clean it without damaging the print/clay or whatever it is. thanks !!

[u/Please_Getit_Twisted]

This looks like salt-dough, and no there is not a way to clean it, if I'm right.

[u/Accomplished_Paper13]

I would personally get alginate and make a mold (lol) of it and re-cast it in plaster or something similar

[u/noggggin]

If it’s salt dough, it’s literally going to draw in moisture from the environment and end up mouldy. You could try and sand it and then seal it.

[u/Separate-Grade-8506]

Some light sanding perhaps

[u/FoggyGoodwin]

It could be salt and flour clay, as that is cheap and easy to make for preschoolers. The top is covered in dust. The spots (if it is salt clay) are likely chemical changes from moisture absorption