Creating Your Own Soap Molds

Your first batch of soap will probably be poured into "found" soap molds. Shoeboxes lined with plastic bags, baby-wipe containers, inexpensive platic storage containers and more.

If you're using something plastic for a mold, such as a baby-wipe container, be sure to test it for heat resistance. The easiest way to check a mold for heat safety is to place it in the sink and fill it with boiling water. If it melts don't use it. If it warps or distorts, it is not a good choice either.

You can make a basic mold from a cardboard box lined with a plastic garbage bag. To be sure the box will hold the soap batch, measure an equivalent amount of water and pour it into the lined mold.

You might decide sooner or later to purchase a mold. You may buy single bar molds in just about any design you can imagine. Your best bet is to look in a large craft store or supplier.

Cute and easy soap molds can be found by using a plastic ice cube tray.

All you'll need are blocks of glycerin, or goats milk soap base, liquid food coloring, petroleum jelly, cotton swabs, and a microwavable container.

Experiment with ice-cube trays of various shapes and sizes. Glycerin or goats milk soap base is usually sold in large blocks; to melt it, cut it to a size that will fit in a microwavable bowl or measuring cup. Smear a dab of liquid food coloring into the bowl or measuring cup with a cotton swab or coffee stirrer. Food coloring is very concentrated, so only use a dab; try mixing different colors.

Heat your soap base in a microwave on high, stirring at 15-second intervals, until it's completely melted. Use a cotton swab to coat the inside of the ice-cube tray with petroleum jelly. Pour the melted glycerin into the tray, filling each section almost to the top. Cool for about 2 hours; the soap cubes will pop right out.

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