How to Prepare Soap Molds

Soap is surprisingly easy to make at home. Almost any container can be used as a soap mold, including PVC pipe and plastic bins. PVC pipe makes pretty round soaps, while soap made in bins can be hand-cut into artisan style soap bars. Before you begin making soap, it is important to first prepare the soap mold, so that it can be removed easily.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• PVC pipe
• Plastic bin with airtight cover
• Plastic wrap
• Vaseline
• Rubber bands
• Plastic oven bag

PVC Soap Mold

1. Purchase a length of PVC pipe, anywhere between six inches and 18 inches long.

2. Grease the inside of the PVC pipe liberally with petroleum jelly.

3. Cover one end with piece of plastic wrap, and secure it tightly with a rubber band.

4. Stand the pipe on the end with the plastic wrap, and pour the liquid soap inside the mold.

5. Cover the open end of the pipe with more plastic wrap and a rubber band. Leave the soap mold alone for 48 hours.

Plastic Bin Soap Mold

6. Select a plastic bin that has an air tight cover.

7. Grease the plastic bin with petroleum jelly or line it with a plastic oven bag.

8. Pour the soap into the bin and cover it immediately.

9. Set aside for 48 hours before removing the block of soap for cutting.

Tips & Warnings

• Plastic ice cube trays are perfect molds for small soaps. Simply grease them petroleum jelly and cover them tightly with plastic wrap.
• Don't use any kind of baking spray or vegetable shortening to grease the soap molds. Shortening, especially, will actually become "part" of the soap, making it difficult to remove the soap from the mold.