Soap-making at home has become more of a trend these days, and it looks it won’t slow down any time soon. The point is, homemade soap molds and cutters have become quite popular. What makes it more interesting is the fact that the process isn’t that complicated, it is rather easy to pull off. However, it all comes down to the mold you choose when designing a soap. You see, the mold will determine how big the batch needs to be, and may influence the list of ingredients and cure time.
Speaking of molds, one of the most popular options for mold is silicone mold. The reason is that they are easy to clean as they have no linings and come in various shapes and sizes.
- Once your soap comes to trace, pour the soap mixture into each cavity and then tap gently to release any air bubbles.
- Now, cover the filled molds with a piece of cardboard or with freezer paper. After that, cover it with a towel or blanket to retain the heat in the mixture.
- Once you are done, just leave it undisturbed for about a day or two. You see, during this period, saponification is completed.
- After your soap has been in the molds for 24 to 48 hours, it is time to set them free from the molds. Then, simply turn the molds over and tap lightly on the bottom. Also, remember not to flex your molds too hard.
- In case soaps do not release, place them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes, remove and let them sit for 5 extra minutes. After all that wait, they should come out without any issues.
- When making a soft or super-fatted soap or using molds that have already been used frequently, it is helpful to grease the mold before pouring in your soap. Any light oil will suffice.
Types and Benefits of Each Mold
Silicone Molds
Silicone molds are quite popular and the reason being is their ease of use. Since they are flexible, these molds make both cold processes and melt and pour soap easily. The DIY soap cutter process is all about breaking the airlock by gently pulling away from the sides of the mold from the soap. In case you experience any resistance when removing cold process soap, you must stop and give it a few more days in the mold. Trust us, it’s not worth it to tear the sides.
Recycled Molds
You should know that almost any container can be turned into a soap mold; the only thing it needs, though is the proper lining. If the container is plastic, the soap can be poured directly without lining. Some popular options include yogurt containers, pudding cups, and tofu containers. Besides those, cardboard milk containers are a great option, as the inside is normally lined with a nonstick coating.
Wooden Molds
Another great option for soap molding is wood. The reason behind that is their sturdy nature and cost-effectiveness. They act as great insulators for cold-process soap. They can also for years, but they require proper storage and care. Here’s something that you should know; wooden molds need to be lined with freezer paper in order to avoid the soap from sticking to the mold. One of the best features of wooden molds is that they insulate the soap pretty well, and this makes things easier for you to achieve a complete gel phase throughout the soap.
Plastic Molds
Plastic molds are best suited for melting and pouring. These molds can also be used for cold process soap. The best part is that plastic molds come in various shapes and sizes. The majority of plastic molds out there are individual cavity sizes, and the smaller-sized ones do not insulate the soap as well as large slabs. So, avoid placing the plastic soap molds on a heating pad, as they can melt or warp if they get too hot.
In the End
That’s all you had to know about homemade soap molds and cutters. Making soap at home isn’t really that complicated, and now that we have mentioned everything about that, it really doesn’t seem difficult, does it?