Teach Soap

I was trying to think of a catchy way to word that. Not sure if it came across as I had planned. Anywho...I'm asking about what 'ordinary' objects you use for soap molds.

I used to use boxes of all sorts and plastic divider trays. I have a nice wooden slab mold for big batches as well. But....I'm hosting a little 'soap making party' this weekend and I want to do individual molds. However, I don't have the time, or funds, to purchase something from Brambleberry or the like. So I'm trying to get some ideas of things I might already have around the house or that I could come up with cheaply to make several individual soaps.

I saw a single bar recipe somewhere that mentioned using a styrofoam cup. I had never heard of that. So I gave it a try. It works, but I'm not liking the shape so much. I also tried a yogurt container. These were oval, kinda neat, but I'm still not sure it 'works' for me. I guess I'm a traditionalist and prefer rectangular bars :p

Anywho....got any ideas?

A friend mentioned maybe using those plastic travel cases for bar soap. I'll have to take a look at that. Sounds logical enough eh? What else might produce a pleasant individual shaped bar of approximately 4oz?

I need help/ideas FAST!

~Tara~ (who is now off to make a signature)

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~Tara~

Back in the soap pot again....

Maybe you could make a trip to the local dollar store in your area? I'm sure there are a bazillion things in any dollar store that could be used as molds (small gift boxes, for example), and it would be cheap. I'm not so creative in the recycled stuffs department.

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ween rules

pringles

Milk cartons, shoe boxes.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Thanks! I did think about Pringles. Those single serve packs could be neat. (and the chips a treat for the kids LOL)

Pint or quart milk boxes might be alright.

Yeah, I'll have to check the dollar stores, thanks for that reminder!

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~Tara~

Back in the soap pot again....

Be careful using a pringles can. If there's anything resembling aluminum you want to stay away from it.

When I grocery shop, I purchase food in contains that will make a good soap mold instead of what I know how to cook (I have a rather extensive menu....for a guy). Just start paying attention the next time you go grocery shopping shopping and you'll find a ton of stuff. I've had to learn how to make some things but it's been fun experimenting.

IKEA has these latex ice cube trays that make really great individual sample or guest sized soaps. I've also used them to make individual sugar scrubs. They are I think $2 each.

Any little box that you can line with a plastic bag should work.

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- Mickey!

Crystal Light containers----not the individual cups with the powder, but the caontainer they come in....they used to be all round, now some brands are oval---make great guest soap sizes

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www.foresthillsoaps.com
www.adonaiequestrian.com

You can also use those plastic bottles soda comes in, I think there 16 oz. sodas,not very big. They're an individual size. I noticed that they have a smooth middle part,just cut the bottom and the top. They allready have the markings on them where the rough part is and the middle of the bottle where it's smooth and you can make beutiful watermelons and limes. I hope this helps you.

ice cube trays are great, or if you have any silicone mini cupcake or loaf molds also work great...

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Where Handmade is ALWAYS Better!

I did another post a few months back but this is one of my favorite topics! While it's probably too late to be useful for this weekend's class, I do have some suggestions.

1. Moist dog food containers make great molds (i.e cesars, beneful, etc.) Find someone with a pampered pet and you will have an unlimited supply. I suspect the kitty foods have similar shapes to the dog foods and each brand comes in a different shape. I especially like the Beneful containers for their full bar size and have started treating my pup to wet food a few times a week just so I can use the containers.

2. Another one of my favorites is a container my mom saved for me from a small round circle of brie. It's about 3" in diameter and less than 2" tall with a simple design in the bottom. Makes a nice soap for a circular soapdish and feels nice in your hands. Wish I had more of them or could remember the brand.

3. Some of the convenience packaging, while wasteful if not reused, can be used as soap molds. For example, the pre-measured 1 cup sticks of crisco or brown sugar make fun molds, although the soap ends up being a kind of odd size and is best poured deep and cut in half.

When reusing any plastic packaging, please test it with very hot water first and always put it on a tray or jelly roll type pan with sides in case of failure. I usually put a towel down on the tray so the found molds don't slide all over the place if I need to move them.

Last but not least, any heavy sided box will work if you line it. I have found freezer wrap the easiest for me to use while lining, but I know everyone has their own preference and that is a topic for another thread. There's no reason to spend money unless you want to.

When I give demos, etc. I like to bring a number of sample soaps from various "found" molds and sometimes I quiz people to see if they can identify what I used for a mold before I sgo through the pile of molds. Another fun exercise is to go through your cabinets and fridge and look at everything to see if it could be used as is or modified to make a mold. You may be surprised by what you find!

Recycled priority boxes work well as molds if you line them.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I was in a bind for a mold to make 2 rectanglular bars and tore my kitchen apart to find something that would work and give my soap sharp corners. What I found was perfect! I took an unopened box of baking soda and laid it flat on it's side. Then i carefully cut the top (actually the front, the part with the largest surface area) right at the edge along what was now the top. Dumped the contents into another container, lined it and had the perfect mold. Once the soap was set, unmoded it and and cut it in 1/2. Cost me less than a buck. I would have just thrown away the box after it was opened anyway. This way it got a 2nd use before being tossed.

HTH
Denise

Great ideas folks!
I have ended up using yogurt and sour cream containers. I'm hanging onto cream cheese boxes too, which I will line with freezer paper. I used to use all sorts of boxes and drawer divider deals lined previously. I was just at a loss for some quick individual molds for my 'party'. We managed though. I think the oval yogurt containers look neat, personally.

LOL I'll have to check the pet aisle. My kitty may get an indulgence or two.

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~Tara~

Back in the soap pot again....

This may not be one that everyone has, but it was one that really suprised me. If you buy dayplanners in the monthly sets, like from Franklins, they come in a super heavy platic container boxes with sharp corners. It works great when lined and holds 2-3 lbs of soap depending on the size. I've used it for melt and pour and cold process batches with wonderful results. And since my husband gets the planners each year, I have a new small batch mold each year