Basic Soap Mold Care
Cleaning the Molds:
Use warm tap water and soap (if the molds have been used for
soapmaking, simply soak in warm water for a half hour or
so). Hot water, including dishwasher water, may warp the
plastic.
Pour Temperatures:
The molds can tolerate wax and transparent soap temperatures
of 135-145ºF. If you're concerned about warping, set the
molds in a shallow cold-water bath for hot-temperature
pours.
Unmolding:
Please don't manhandle the molds when releasing contents! If
you have any difficulties with soap or chocolate, place the
molds in your freezer. For chocolate, a few minutes of
freezer time will allow for easy unmolding. For soap, 1 hour
should be sufficient.
Opaque Cold-Process Soap
Considerations:
Because opaque cold-process soap undergoes a chemical
reaction in the molds, there are a few extra considerations
to keep in mind:
-
Soap needs a certain amount of heat to saponify properly.
-
Most cold-process soap books call for pour temperatures of 80-100ºF. These temperatures are fine if you're pouring several pounds into one large mold, but when soap is poured into individual 3 or 4 ounce molds, heat is more easily lost regardless of how much insulation you use. If you've measured your ingredients correctly but your finished soap is soft and/or grainy, raise the soap's temperature to between 115-125ºF next time you pour.
-
Transparent Soap Note:
Opaque Cold-Process Soap Considerations don't apply to transparent soap since it's neutral when poured. Transparents also lack "stickiness," so there shouldn't be any problem unmolding them.
Pour Time:
When filling many cavities, realistically consider just how
much working time you have before your soap begins to
thicken beyond the "easy-pour" state. Dividing soap up into
smaller portions for different colors and fragrances will
slow you down; some artificial fragrances will speed the
thickening. If this is the case, think about making smaller
batches. If your soap does thicken before all the cavities
are filled, spoon the soap in and tap the molds lightly on
the counter top. The clear plastic will allow you to see if
any air bubbles remain on the mold's detail surface.
Super fattened Soap
Problems:
Super fatted soap and/or soap high in soft oils such as
canola, avocado, safflower, etc. are a bit sticky, and
therefore may unmold with more difficulty than firmer soaps
high in palm oil or tallow. These softer soaps will unmold
if placed in the freezer for 1 hour.
Tip:
Mold designs show up clearer and "crisper" in hard soap than
in soft soap.
More on unmolding soap:
If the soap is allowed to remain in the molds for 12-24
hours after cooling down, it releases much more easily than
unmolding it immediately upon cooling. (During this extra
time the soap is both shrinking and crystallizing.)
One final option:
If
you'd like to experiment with a fairly effective mold
release, melt one part paraffin wax then stir into 3 parts
mineral or baby oil. Best used when it is hot and liquid,
but if applied to the molds when cold (as a soft paste) use
a stiff brush to insure thin and even application, otherwise
inconsistencies can mar the smoothness of the finished soap.
Plain mineral or baby oil can also be used to lightly coat
the molds (vegetable oils or PAM may possibly saponify if
used as a mold release).
