How to Wrap and Cure Soap Molds

Wrapping and curing soap is an essential step in making your own natural soap. Insulating the soap allows the saponification process to continue. Newly made soap, in the mold, must have 24 to 48 hours in order to finish this process.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soap
• Mold
• Newspapers
• Towels

1. Pour your soap into an appropriate mold. You can use wooden, plastic or metal molds, but avoid any metal that is not stainless steel.

2. Place your soap mold on newspapers. This insulates the bottom of the soap mold and gives it a flat surface to sit on. Be sure to set this up in a draft-free place.

3. Wrap the soap mold in towels. Be sure to cover all sides, including the top. Use as many towels as needed to insulate your soap mold.

4. Wait 24 to 48 hours. This allows the soap to finish the saponification, or cooking process. Your soap must be completely wrapped during this period of time.

5. Unwrap your soap. If you need to divide it, now is the time to do that. Your soap is now solid and no longer a liquid.

6. Cure your soap in a draft-free place until your soap hardens. This is simply the process of letting the excess water evaporate. Soap cures in 4 to 6 weeks. The longer soap cures, the harder it becomes and the longer it lasts.

Tips & Warnings

• You must wear safety glasses, long sleeves and pants when making soap to protect your eyes and skin from accidental spills.