Teach Soap

I have treated myself to a Woodfield's silicone mold, which I am really enjoying. I asked them if the salt in the salt bar would do any damage to the silicone, and they are checking with the silicone mfgr. Meanwhile, Larry, he owner, suggested I put the ? out there to see if anyone has experience with salt bars in these molds.

On a 2nd note, I really appreciate the information, tips, and know-how that are shared here. Like most, I have been a busy bee without the chance to comment on the lovely creations and good ideas that I see when I do get here. When I get the answer from Woodfields, I will post, and if there is good 1st-hand experience here; I will pass that on to the company.

Thanks in advance
Scents.

I have never used that particular brand of mold, but I have used a wilton silicone cupcake and heart shaped mold to make salt bars. There didn't seem to be any damage to either one. I was so glad I used individual molds, the salt soap got real hard, real fast, once I added the sea salt.

I haven't made salt bars in a silicone mold, but I do find they need to be cut within 4 hours. I have to cut mine while they are still hot. Otherwise they crumble. I can see how using individual molds would be easier.

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

Your hearts are adorable., falldowngobump. What a clever idea for salt bars. Otherwise, as Soapbuddy says, they need to be cut at about 4 hours to avoid crumbling. I tried them on a lark after reading a discussion here. I thought it would be a one-time only soap recipe for me; but it seems everyone likes them. It's looking more and more like the mold I have will work fine. I'll let you know the final verdict.
scents

I've been wanting to try a salt bar, but after reading about all the problems people have making them, I haven't bothered. But, now that I see them made in individual molds (lightbulb goes off!) I'm going to try a small batch. I've got lots of small single-serve plastic fruit containers that should work perfectly.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

I've been meaning to follow up to say that the silicone mfgr. didn't see any problem with using the mold for salt bars; so, I took the plunge, and the bars came out great. No problems noted with the silicone liner. Since salt bar season is here, it's good to have an easier approach.

Just an afterthought but I made these salt bars when the weather was cold and snowy and miserable. After a 5-6 week cure I tried one and thought it was ok. Now, a few months later with the weather becoming hot and humid I'm finding I love them. They are really hard as a rock and last forever and my skin feels wonderful. What a difference the weather and a good cure make.

How interesting.... I have some sitting in a box wondering what to do with them since I really did not like them. Our weather here is far from being hot and humid but we will get there this summer. Guess I should save these soaps and give them a try then.

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

I think the weather affects my skin more than it does the soap, although a long cure might have helped the soap. In the winter I have dry skin and in the summer not so much.

Me too! I just looked in my notes and I made this soap last Sept and since I did not like it put it aside. I'll try it in the "dog days of summer". I made a soap shortly after the holidays and half of my lye was dead but I went ahead anyway to see what would happen. Well it still formed soap, I am sure very superfatted, but towards the end of winter when my skin becomes very dry and itchy I used one of these bars and was it ever nice to my skin. I am now refusing to give even one bar away - will save all of them for me as I do not know how to reproduce this 'failure'.

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

I have used the same silicone heart molds as falldowngobump and I also had no problems with the salt or lye in the mold...the mold is fine!! However the FO's and EO's stay quite a bit in the silicone molds!!

I think individual silicone molds are great! Especially reynolds and wilton, for being so cheap. I like that i dont have to scramble to cut them in such a short amount of time. Those hearts are my favorite, i think i mentioned it before theyre just soooo silky smooth!

I'm just recently getting caught up with all these posts since I'm new to soap making, and the salt bars chain seemed really interesting. My question is what are salt bars? and what are the benefits of adding sea salt? Are they used as a scrub bar? Any good recipes outs there? BTW the hearts do look adorable, I have the same molds but I never used them with CP soap - My son's wedding is coming up and this gives me ideas!

Salt bar won't lather much. It gives you more of a lotiony lather. It doesn't really exfoliate as the salt melts as the soap is used. Any recipe can be made as a salt bar. For each lb. of soap, I would start with 8 ozs. of salt. Some people go as high as 1:1 soap to salt. It depends on your recipe.

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

So basically it's more better as a moisturizing soap, is the type of salt you use important?