Fresholi | Melting Pot Café

Is is absolutely necessary to buy custom made soap moulds?  What ideas do you have for soap moulds that either make use of discarded objects/packaging or do you know of anything that serve's as the ideal mould?

I think this may depend on whether you're going to be selling soaps or not as the types of moulds used should be on the assessment (from next year the Good Manufacturing Practice document will have to be included within the text of the assessment, currently it's held on file by the assessor).

For MP food grade heat resistant plastics would seem to be OK, aluminium is to be avoided (but I know some use aluminium pie and bun cases) - which is one of the reasons why I put catering heat'n'seal tubing inside the whisky containers for the loofah soaps.

I suspect that there could be some materials which react adversely to CP soap in its liquidy form, because of the lye, but I don't know.

ElaineJ

I've used Pringles' tubs, and innicent smoothie cartons.

Next i'm going to use some ice cube moulds - i've got star moulds and puzzle pieces. They'll not take all the soap though, so i'm going to use pringles tubs as well.

Fee,

I'm really interested to find out how well those work, particularly the stars (the poky corner pointy bits can be difficult to get things out of).



How about shoe boxes for soap? Presumably you'd have to make sure there were no holes in the corners, and it would all have to be cut up at the end. Possibly using an electric cheese wire.

Ooh... It's Abigail!!!! 

Not seen you around for a while!  You ok? 

(Going to sound all dah... here) What's an electric cheese wire?  We had a thread going on one of the boards where we discussed using a cheese wire (and started getting all inventive)?

So glad to see you back!! ;)

Alas, my dissertation is taking all my free time at the moment, so I've not had the opportunity to make anything, and have thus been relatively uninspired to contribute. I expect to start actively contributing after 12th September. Possibly not immediately after, as I may be drunk...  ;) (Or possibly tidying up the house after months of neglect - got the parents visiting. That is the less fun, but more likely, option.)

Yup, the electric cheese wire is the one we discussed. Obviously it would have to be made before it could be used...

Shoe box is a great idea!!

My sister's got some of those plastic ones. I wonder if she'd kill me if i 'borrowed' one for experimentation purposes...

I'm thinking of doing some soaps in the ice cube trays, and possibly some bath melts (my friend wants me to make her some...) so when i learn to make them, and i've got something decent, i#ll let you know.

I think the stars should be ok, i'll probably put the soap in the freezer to release it so that it can be pushed out. The moulds are ikea flexible ones too, so i should be able to push the soap out of the corners.

Fingers crossed...

I founds some chocolate box interiors the other day too, so i'm going to experiment with them and see if they can hold up to the heat of soap. They're just the right size for guest soap/embeds. I'm also thinking of bath melts and bath bombs using them - but i still haven't learnt how to make them...

LOL!  Oh yes, I forgot about the disartation and, more importantly, I forgot you were part of our 'development team' (lol) on that thread.  It's a dah... sort of day for me  ;D  What's the dissartation on? (or would you rather not say)  The drunk idea sound's good but yes, me thinks it will be the rather less fun option (but then you could get drunk after  ;))

The choccie interiors sound really cute (of course this will require one to eat all the chocs first....  well the things we have to do for our craft, lol).  I had a rather interesting conversation today with a huge manufacturer of soaps.  We discussed moulds and some suggestions were made for things like plastic cups, butter containers and other food packaging.  It's food grade so safe from a hygiene perspective and providing it can take the heat, there is a huge range to choose from.

I also have a load of IKEA moulds, and have found the corners to be very tricky. The trickiest were the o shaped ones, though - the ice always used to cling to the bit in the middle. I use heart-shaped and triangle-shaped ones for truffles. Good luck - I really hope it works. Not least because I shall then use your experimentation to my advantage. Mwah ha ha ha ha!

The dissertation is on memory. I wish I could remember what my results were trying to say. I think it was that none of the variety of learning conditions I employed made any difference to how well my participants remembered their word pairs. This is a useful result, because it sort of disagrees and sort of agrees with lots of other people, depending on whose research you're looking at. Or something.

I understand the whole fried brain thing, and am a shuffling, mumbling example of what it can do (like a walking, talking one, but less fast and eloquent). Now if only I could understand anything useful...

Always wondered how to spell that!  I will be putting this to good use I can tells ya! lol Mwah ha ha ha ha!

Memory!  Hmm, now I would have been a good subject upon which to base this on...  I mean, the cheeswire thing is a shining example of.....



.....now what was I just talking about?   :-\

 ;D

Actually, I believe 'Muah ha ha ha ha!' is an acceptable alternative. I prefer the original spelling, but it's nice to have the flexibility  ;)

Hmm....  Yep!  Me Too!  It has a bit more guts in it, you know, it come's more from the belly and rather less from the back of the throat woudn't you agree?  :-\  But indeed, a little flexibility is most useful!

Hello Helen

We have the same Christian name, i read the posts first and saw that the forum had one Helen, so i added me as Ella.

I have been making soaps for 3 years, just getting into making my own silicone moulds, but, for years i used whatever was available, chocolate plastic moulds are ideal for something different, or ikea ice cube trays, or any cube trays, the rubber moulds are the best, as the item comes out so easily.

I have used allsorts of things, yoghurt pots, the clear ones, you could make a trifle soap and sell it in the plastic pot, theres alot of things you can use, and i am sure alot you cannot.

Best regards Ella xx

Yes, I think you're safe with regard to chemical reaction if the mould is food grade but some of the food grade ones won't stand the heat, whether the soap be CP or MP.

The support worker with the LD group I work(ed) with uses some food cartons which have an indent in the base so she either spritzes with surgical spirit and flood fills or "glues" an embed with a splodge of mlten MP base; I'll be going there before long (just had the CPD clearance to work there as a volunteer - ridiculous since I was working there professionally when I was employed by the Soc. Services) so I'll get some photos for the gallery.

I was very impressed, I did a couple of training sessions with her and away she went.

That's interesting, if it meets with assessment it seems customising your own moulds from food grade materials, makes for very individual end products. 


Just bizarre??????????

I've used pringle tins, plastic molds, shoe boxes, the take away cartons you get from having a Chinese, ice cream pots, you name it I've used it, for my Christmas cake i used a saucepan, only thing I had round.  Pvc piping,

but I do have two ready made log molds that I use most of the time.

Poly tubing inside a whisky bottle tube makes a good mould if you don't want/need an absolutely smooth edge'

I think I've got one of those in the loft somewhere.  Now that I've entered this world, I should try and dig it out  :)

The ikea star ice cube mould did work!
The puzzle one was easy.

I put the melts in the freezer, and then pushed them out when they were solid. The stars came out quite easy and didn't break.

Huzzah!

Hooray!!!!!! I am very happy about that! I shall have to look at turning over some of my ice cube moulds to the cause (I can't very well follow soap with chocolate truffles!)

I went to the Pound Shop (yes the Pound Shop) yesterday and there were loads of moulds for icecubes and different food containers that would make ideal soap moulds.  I didn't buy any as I was too busy pushing my way through the crowds and keep my eye on little N - very stressful it was - I was only shopping for party prizes (little N's fourth Bday party on Sunday, EEK!!!)

A wooden drawer/cutlery organizer from the 99p shop make an excellent mould.

I know I'm a bit late on this one but use Tupperware containers. There are always loads of them a jumbles and b/fairs. Just put them in dishwasher on hot and you will know if they will put up with the heat.
Kim

Good idea about testing them in the dishwasher  ;D

The 'Next' catalogue is packaged in a sturdy cardboard box. (Those that have it will know). So, basically you have a catalogue sized box which I am hoping to use as a slab mould for my next batch. I wanted something large and shallow to see if it helps prevent gelling and think this will do perfect.

Good idea - actually, I never thought of using a slab mould to help prevent the gel but yes, it would make perfect sense - thanks Jane

The best slab mould I have found so far is a big old wooden tray with very straight sides, which I bought at a bootfair for 50p. I use it for milk soaps to help prevent gel, it just about fits on the freezer shelf, too.

Mmm I could do with one of those Lululiz. Trying to think what I could use. Only thing that springs to mind is the base of a push along toy that my winkies used to play with. On second thoughts it's outside in the rain going mouldy. :D

Have a look around charity shops, Jane, you'll be amazed what you can find there in the way of moulds. You'll probably come across a big old wooden tray in one as well.

Not entirly sure if it's ok for me to continue this discussion at such a late stage  :-\ but thought I'd just let you know that I have just made my first loaf of soap using an old wooden port box (you know the type that holds one botlle). I am please to say it worked really well  :yipee:. I lined it with baking paper so it was easier to get the soap out (although a fair amount of thumping the bottom of the box still occured) and plus I was unsure how raw soap reacts with wood  ;D

Extra bonus - it was robbed from my Aunts recycle bin  :mwaha:

Many soap moulds from suppliers are untreated wood, Akua's is supplied with instructions for cutting a liner so there won't be a problem.

The wooden boxes used for gifts of wine/spirits should be goodly moulds.

Freezer paper makes good lining for moulds. Well done. How much soap batter did the box hold?

Any tips on lining moulds?  I can't do it without getting creases & wrinkles in it.
What's the difference between baking parchment & freezer paper?  I can't find freezer paper.

Freezer paper is wax coated and survives about 2 or 3 soaps before I chuck it. Look in quilting shops for it. I don't use one piece of paper to line I use 2. One bit to do the width and one to do the length. Means the bottom has a double thickness but saves messing trying to cut the corners etc.

Ta Joy.  I'll keep an eye out for the freezer paper then.
Same way I line my square cake tins.

I made a 1kg recipe and it filled the box just over half full so i would imagine a 2-3kg recipe would give a really nice deep bar.

I lined it the same way as JoJo and it worked well.

Ta for the tip on freezer paper :)

Probably. The Contented Cat sell freezer paper. It's quite durable. I use it mostly for patchwork related stuff. Appaerntly it's good for wrapping food to put in the freezer as well. :mwaha:

Now why would you want to use it for a weird thing like that Joy?  :mwaha:

You can get it by the roll here at Ario craft supplies (http://www.ario.co.uk/view.php?group=Ancillaries) also.

Best mold-lining tutorial ever:
http://www.raindancesoaps.com/moldlining.html
You'll get a smooth liner with minimal swearing.

Also, small drawers make excellent molds.   Some of them don't need to be lined:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50116772

Ta ladies.

Wanna bet?

Trust me.  I have the patience of a gnat.

Another fellow gnat.  Fab!

The wax/plastic side of freezer paper is used by some for making transfer pints as it takes colour and when ir*ned transfers it to fabric (neve tried it).

What temp does it melt at and what temp does the soap get up to?

I got my freezer paper in the local kitchen supply shop in Sevenoaks, I just it for crafting, but might try lining some Ikea drawers with it.

I noticed some are asking about moulds. Here is what I do. Make a wood box with some ply about 12mm thick, thinner and I don't get the right amt of insulation heat wise. Yours maybe different over there due to the cold weather so make it out of thicker ply. I don't have drop down sides or nothing on it, basically it's a box. get the pieces precision cut at a lumbar or timber place take the pieces home and nail or screw them together.

I line it with laminating film that has been ran through the laminator, I collect or pay for the offcuts from a laminating place and get about 2-3ft lengths and they are about 2.5ft wide, but for a small mould an A3 size pocket ran through a laminator without paper in the middle would suffice.

What I do is then measure the base of the bottom of the inside of the box and draw the box on my piece of film and then the sides like it's all laid out flat and the sides of the box have flipped down. Then I cut out the corners of the film. So I am left with a big cross, I then score with something blunt the lines where the sides of the film are to fold up (fold the creases in them) and then trim off any excess and pop it in the box. If you are accurate with cutting the film then it won't leak much, if not it will. (can also grease the wood with some vaseline) To get the soap out of the box I bang the side of the box upside down on a bench and out comes the soap. The box has to be made perfectly square and has to be higher than the soap. I don't worry about lids and the likes, just cover the soap with an old towel or towels. 

I needed 2 posts because of the pics, plus I kept on writing. lol.

Here is a pic of what to use if the soap is sticking to the laminate really bad, it took me a while to get the hang of using one of these spatulas but it works better one way compared to the other. It's a spatula that they use for plastering walls.

Also if it attaches is a pic of some teflon bakers sheets that they use in commercial baking, these are not cheap but don't need washing if you gently remove any excess soap. The first couple of times they leave a slight brown discoloration to the soap which can be scraped off, with use they don't leave any color on the soap but with lots of regular use they do become quite brittle and can be repaired with clear packaging tape on the non soap side.

I have other moulds which are the likes of those thick plastic cutting board type from For Craft Sake in the US, it is good 150 bars in a hit but I hate the cleaning up the mould bit/pulling it apart and reassembling. It's time consuming. With the wood ones any excess soap that is left in the mould can be scraped up with a stainless steel plaster spatula thingie like the plastic one in the pic.

Oh if you can't get hold of laminate, that thick black builders plastic will work as well but it gets out of shape easily due to the heat of the soap and you end up with wrinkles in the bottom of the soap. Some use garbage bags but it's not a very good look on the outside of the bars IMO.

I hope this is of help to some as buying moulds is not a cheap exercise. Cheers Sharon

Here is the spatula that I am talking about

What a useful bit of info. I was lucky enough to have a wooden mould made for me for free by a retired cabinet maker. I must admit I find the soap has less surprises with my wooden mould that I do my plastic one although my lavender soap did start to crack even in that.

PS love that soap. :jealous:

Thanks Sharon  - some really useful advice there.  (:hug:)

I'm trying to persuade my Dad that he can't make moulds for me (reverse psychology & all that, him being a bloke 'n' all  ;D ).  He's not taking the hint just yet so I'm working on it - & my Mum's on his case too
 :mwaha:

Oh, and  :jealous: of that beautiful soap.

It certainly is a gorgeous soap.

That information is fantastic Sharon, thank you so much for taking the time to explain that in such detail and to include some really good pictures.  Do you think maybe this information could be added to the members resources on the main site?  I will of course credit you and link to your site.  I am not sure whether you are registered to the main site are you?  By adding it to the members resources, the information can be accessed more easily instead of looking for it through the boards and threads. 

If it is ok, I can publish it so that it is either public (accessed by visitors and members), registered (for registered members only) or special (for author members - which you will be once you have registered to the main site).  What do you think?  Don't feel in any way obliged though Sharon  :)

Hi Helen,

I don't mind, lining moulds is the bane of most soapmakers existences and washing liners is the second one on the list. Re-word it to make more sense etc. I don't mind at all. Cheers Sharon

OK, can somebody please reveal the "normal" size/dimensions of a wooden mould - preferably for both a 500-600g batch & a 1kg one, before my tiny brain explodes :allfaces:

Hi sharon,

I have just added that great article to Members Articles on the main site

http://www.fresholi.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=471&Itemid=51 (http://www.fresholi.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=471&Itemid=51)

It is currently public but if you prefer it be for registered members, just let me know (let me know also if you want to make any changes to it  ;))

P.S.  You are also an author on the main site now  :)

P.P.S. Thank you  (:hug:)

For anyone who works in a pharmacy.. you could use 'blister packs' that medication gets dispensed into. Each little tiny compartment is a cube shape. [The blue film over the top is the seal, the trays are just empty clear plastic]
My pharmacy have recently stopped using one type of blister pack, so I took the remaining ones home, to use for bath melts/mini scrub bars.

wow, that's so cool, you could even package in these and call it the home bath kit !!

That's quite an interesting idea mp :)

A couple of years ago a German member of the classical music forum I run with my OH sent us not one but two wooden boxes of Aachener Printen at Christmas  as a token of his appreciation. These are the local Aachen version of lebkuchen - the chocolate covered gingerbread that Lidl customers will no doubt be familiar with.
Each box must have contained 4lb of produce and I never want to see a lebkuchen of any sort again in my whole life.
But the boxes are great.. You can get two and a half kilos of soap in one of those babies... Though getting it out again is another matter entirely.

I line moulds with plastic these days as greaseproof tends to go soggy and tear.

ohhh, I have one of those boxes and there is never such a thing as too much Lebkuchen!!  :mwaha:

I use my box to store photos and other mementos though, so no soap in that one....

The boxes are lovely. If he sends us any more I'll keep the box and give you the printen!

It got to the point where I was gagging at the smell!

how do you line a pringle mould?...

how do you line a pringle mould?...
[/quote]

I didn't line mine :)

I didn't line mine :)
[/quote]


oooh, i might try that out...  :D

If you look inside it's silver, and all you do is tear the actual tube to get your soap out :)  I have a few tubes now lol

Sounds as simple!  I'll try that out for sure  :D  Thanks. :)

I can vouch for Pringles tubes, makes lovely round soap. Christmas is a good time to eat lots of Pringles :P

Youre absolutely right.  I already have a whole tub inside my belly.

;D