When we were researching papercrete, we found many different recipes and mixer-types. After trying various recipies and because we have a clay-based soil on our land, we settled on the following papercrete recipe: 5 parts drained paper mulch 5 parts sifted clay 1 part Portland Cement 1 shake of Borax
- Soak newspaper and magazines in water for at least 24 hours (the longer the better).
- Sift dry clay (or other soil) on a screen of 1/4 inch hardware cloth to remove the larger lumps and rocks.
- After it has soaked in water for at least 48 hours, place the newspaper in mixer, add water and mix well until paper pulp is the consistency of cold oatmeal.
- Drain the paper until about 75% of the water is removed (if you capture the drained water, you can reuse it) and add it to a cement mixer.
- Once in the cement mixer, add some of the water that you drained off of the newspaper pulp, add the sifted clay and continue mixing, adding water as needed.
- Finally, add in the Borax and Portland cement. Continue mixing until the slurry is the color and consistency of chocolate pudding.