Mold Lining Question

[LolaFalana]

Is there an alternative to lining with freezer paper? I am horrible at it. And my silicone molds always end up with a bit stuck to it. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong but every time I let them gel it's a problem. When I freeze my loaf I have no problem unmolding.

I ask because I really want to get a slab mold. But unless I pay near $100 it had to be a wooden one. Please help. I read someone that I can coat the mold in mineral oil. Does that actually work? Won't the soap just absorb it? I don't want that.

Still researching. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[dixiedragon]

I, too, am horrible with freezer paper. I am surprised you are having trouble with your silicone molds. Where did you get them?

Yes, mineral oil works. It doesn't saponify. If you use an oil that does saponify (like olive oil), to grease your mold, it will act like glue and stick the soap to the side of the mold.

How long are you waiting to unmold? Perhaps your soap is too soft?

Another option is to pop the mold in the freezer, then run hot water over it.

 

[LolaFalana]

This is what's left in my molds after 48-54 hrs in the mold. They were still too soft at touch after 24 hrs. I really do t know what I'm doing wrong. I usually just freeze after molding but I wanted a more pronounced color from the gel phase.

Okay so if mineral oil is good for this I know I'll be okay. Straight lines+freezer paper>me :banghead:

 

[LolaFalana]

Worst part: these are for holiday baskets. I have to now HP.

 

[Jaccart789]

I never have had any luck with silicone, but I get a better outcome when I use sodium lactate. I have every mold known to man, and they have good and bad with each. My next mold I want to try is an acrylic mold. As far as wood, I love the ease and how it insulates. I don't mind using freezer paper as I don't have any trouble lining, but what I don't like is that I can never get sharp square/rectangular corners. I end up with a rounded ends. The HDPE plastic molds I have a tough time unmolding, but I love the way the corners come out...thats if they unmold and I dont take the sides off. If you want to try the mold again try using plastic bags from the grocery store, sometimes I will use with my freezer paper or I will use alone. Give me a few minutes and I will take a picture. It comes out really good, but again for me its my corners of the bar, but many soapers soaps look this way and its aesthetically pleasing. I have OCD with my soap shapes You want to try to not get any of the ink on the plastic bag on soap, because sometimes it will bleed. I will be back with a pic. I have to go line the mold and take a pic with my phone.

 

[Jaccart789]

The down fall if using only the bag is that there will be lines on the soap from wrinkling of the bag. Now if you learned freezer paper it's quite simple. I added the bag on bottom because it makes pulling the soap out of mold easy. I then take a long piece of freezer paper and fold the sides (shiny side up) the width of mold and fold sides down. It might take a couple of tries but it will get easy. Now the only parts that will have lines are end pieces and you normally cut those off anyways.

 

[Jaccart789]

Soap 1 is using this lining method
Soap 2 is my Hdpe mold with the corners I like better.

 

[LolaFalana]

The down fall if using only the bag is that there will be lines on the soap from wrinkling of the bag. Now if you learned freezer paper it's quite simple. I added the bag on bottom because it makes pulling the soap out of mold easy. I then take a long piece of freezer paper and fold the sides (shiny side up) the width of mold and fold sides down. It might take a couple of tries but it will get easy. Now the only parts that will have lines are end pieces and you normally cut those off anyways. View attachment 9362View attachment 9363View attachment 9364

I will definitely try this. I still will invest in a tray mold. My cutting job are not confident due to the issues I already have. It will be just yet another mold because I need extra anyway.

Thank you guys so much

 

[Jaccart789]

You can get really inexpensive molds on Ebay or Etsy. If you find something that you really like, please post on here as I am always on the hunt for the perfect 2 lb. mold.

 

[LolaFalana]

The down fall if using only the bag is that there will be lines on the soap from wrinkling of the bag. Now if you learned freezer paper it's quite simple. I added the bag on bottom because it makes pulling the soap out of mold easy. I then take a long piece of freezer paper and fold the sides (shiny side up) the width of mold and fold sides down. It might take a couple of tries but it will get easy. Now the only parts that will have lines are end pieces and you normally cut those off anyways. View attachment 9362View attachment 9363View attachment 9364

I will definitely try this. I still will invest in a tray mold. My cutting job are not confident due to the issues I already have. It will be just yet another mold because I need extra anyway.

Thank you guys so much

 

[sethkaylyn]

Oval Molds

I made some soap in a Crystal Light oval container and I love the shape
but I would like something a little bigger. Does anyone know where I can
get a larger mold with that shape? Thanks!

Tina

 

[cmzaha]

I never have had any luck with silicone, but I get a better outcome when I use sodium lactate. I have every mold known to man, and they have good and bad with each. My next mold I want to try is an acrylic mold. As far as wood, I love the ease and how it insulates. I don't mind using freezer paper as I don't have any trouble lining, but what I don't like is that I can never get sharp square/rectangular corners. I end up with a rounded ends. The HDPE plastic molds I have a tough time unmolding, but I love the way the corners come out...thats if they unmold and I dont take the sides off. If you want to try the mold again try using plastic bags from the grocery store, sometimes I will use with my freezer paper or I will use alone. Give me a few minutes and I will take a picture. It comes out really good, but again for me its my corners of the bar, but many soapers soaps look this way and its aesthetically pleasing. I have OCD with my soap shapes You want to try to not get any of the ink on the plastic bag on soap, because sometimes it will bleed. I will be back with a pic. I have to go line the mold and take a pic with my phone.

I use only hdpe molds that I line with freezer paper. I know exactly what size to cut so that part is easy. I used to get the rounded edges until I figured out if I take the paper and crease it really well along the edges, out of the mold, I no longer get rounded edges.

 

[Dorymae]

I made some soap in a Crystal Light oval container and I love the shape
but I would like something a little bigger. Does anyone know where I can
get a larger mold with that shape? Thanks!

Tina

Philadelphia whipped cream cheese comes in an oval container that makes a perfect bar of oval soap. It takes a bit longer to harden up in the smaller container but when it does the soap just pops right out. (Hope you like cream cheese!)

 

[Susie]

You can either buy the Pringles can and shape that into an oval, or buy the other(the name escapes me) potato chip in an oval plastic container and cut the bottom off.

 

[Jaccart789]

I use only hdpe molds that I line with freezer paper. I know exactly what size to cut so that part is easy. I used to get the rounded edges until I figured out if I take the paper and crease it really well along the edges, out of the mold, I no longer get rounded edges.

Thank you Carolyn. Let me try this with my wood mold. I REALLY want 90 degree angles. I will have the perfect swirl, beautiful colors and scent, but if my soap is rounded it will bother me. I am going to make some Christmas soap with Santa Spruce in a bit. Do you think when I pull the soap out its also causing it to shape rounded?

Well... my lye water is cooling. I will let you know.

Thank you as always for your advice!

 

[sethkaylyn]

Philadelphia whipped cream cheese comes in an oval container that makes a perfect bar of oval soap. It takes a bit longer to harden up in the smaller container but when it does the soap just pops right out. (Hope you like cream cheese!)

Thanks Dorymae!
I'll have to look for the cream cheese next visit to walmart. Btw...I love cream cheese. Lol

 

[sethkaylyn]

You can either buy the Pringles can and shape that into an oval, or buy the other(the name escapes me) potato chip in an oval plastic container and cut the bottom off.

Thanks Susie!

I'll definitely be on the look out for the chip containers!

 

[LolaFalana]

My new mold came yesterday! I ordered from an etsy shop called CedarMountainCrafts. The owner, Ernie, is amazing. He answered my questions fairly quickly. I will be soaping this weekend so I'll come back and show the finished product.

Wish me luch on lining this! :sly: