(Part 2) Best soap making supplies according to redditors

If you ever have problems with sticking (even the non-stick tins give out fairly quick, in my experience) I've had very good results using something like this silicone muffin pan.

Changed my life, so much easier.

Ballpark $200.. I bought the wood about two years ago and believe it was ~ $80-$100 2x6x8 walnut. The epoxy, tyvek tape, mica powder and a few other things I didn’t have were about $110. Here’s the epoxy and mica powder in case anyone is interested.

BD lube is water based so you should be able to thin it out before use.

You should also think about getting some jlube mix and food-grade titanium dioxide pigment to just make your own cumlube in large quantities with the thickness you desire.

Just one $20 bottle of that stuff can make up to 8 gallons of sticky cum-like lube. It's effectively the same stuff as what BD sells and it was also used as the xenomorph slime in the Aliens films!

Have fun!

/u/TrashyTripod & /u/gotsmile, you guys are going to laugh at how easy this is.

There are recipes online. Do a little googling about what soap ingredients have different effects, like I did a rose oil (omg, the scent!) and rose clay soap, which is good for skin, or honey and oatmeal which is more exfoliation. Some are better for dry skin, oily skin, or just neutral.

I buy everything from Amazon:

• Molds: gems, bars, fun small shapes
  
  
• Melt and pour soap base: honey, goat's milk. I'm picky and I only buy the organic stuff. Buy it sooner rather than later, it will sell out by the holidays! Learned that the hard way, last year.
  
  
• Mix-ins: oatmeal, activated charcoal. You want everything to be food-grade.
  
  ------------
  
  How To
  
  The soap base breaks apart into 1 inch cubes. In a microwave safe measuring cup, microwave 2-4 cubes in 30 second increments until melted. Stir in any oils, perfumes, or colorants (although I avoid coloring soap, personally; I like the 'natural' stuff). Pour the appropriate amount into your mold. Working quickly, in the soap-filled mold, stir in any large add-ins, like charcoal or oatmeal. Wipe down the measuring cup, repeat as necessary.
  
  Leave the mold out at room temperature to set. Give it time (6-24 hours). Gently remove from the mold and wrap in cling wrap to avoid moisture beads from forming. Later, put the plastic-wrapped soaps in a little goody bag with a piece of colorful tissue paper. FYI, the tissue paper will stick to the soap if they touch.
  
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  Tips:
  
  
• Learn from my mistake: when you're done, wash the measuring cup and molds by hand. If you put them in a dishwasher, it will become coated in soap. This kills the dishwasher.
  
  
• Buy 2 molds. Make a batch in the morning and again in the evening. If you use the bar mold, that gives you 12 bars per mold x 2 molds x 2 times in a day, or 48 bars for ~3 hours of work on a Saturday. You'll get faster as you get the hang of it.
  
  
• How much soap base you need depends on the size of your molds and how many soaps you're making. I found that 2 lbs of soap base was enough for about 16 bars using this mold. But I didn't really like the shape of the soap in that mold because it was too deep.
  
  
• If you're using heavy or large add-ins, it pays to let the soap solidify for a second before mixing them in, or it'll all sink to the bottom.
  
  
• It's fun to combine with other homemade cosmetics gifts, like DIY lip balm or something, but that requires a whole other set of materials, so increases your costs.
  
  
• More tips on how to avoid "weeping." This site is SUPER helpful!

Thanks, you do have to wait longer to pull out. Amazon. Ellipse Silicone Soap Molds - Set of 2 for 12 Cavities - Mixed Patterns - Soap Making Supplies by the Silly Pops https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077P8JW9Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_IJGYDbPNX2P9E

I molded most of them in plain, rectangle individual molds because of the challenges in cutting salt bars. Here is the 6 plain bar rectangle molds I used. With the extra soap I had, I put the rest into some individual molds that have an impression on them. Here is the 6 bar impression molds I used.

The marbling technique I used was an in-the-pot swirl. 3/4 of my batter was colored with rose clay, 1/4 with titanium dioxide. I poured the white mix into the pink batter in equalish amounts at 12, 4, and 8 as spots on the clock, so to speak. At one spot, I poured high at about 6" above the batter, the next I poured medium at about 3" above, and the final I poured as close to the batter as possible; this makes it so the white gets dispersed at different depths of the pot and doesn't just float all at one level.

Next, I took a spatula and pushed into spot with the closest drop, pushed the spatula to the bottom on the bowl, and swirled once clockwise thru all the dots, meeting back at the center of the original spot, and pulled straight back out. That's it.

From there, I just poured my mix directly into the center of each individual mold, filling them slightly over full. I overfill slightly because I take one of those spatula frosters used for cakes and use it as a squeegee or a trowel, and level the soaps with a clean pass across each soap top. Any extra soap that comes off, I will use to fill an extra small mold so I don't waste soap. Spray with alcohol every 15 minutes for the first hour, and I also forced these thru gel phase to get the colors to pop more!

Voila!

Shipping approx. 2 weeks and $8. My wife took this one as her new edc right away and I passed mine on, on the BST. I was bummed that the design does not line up at all like the pictures, they are totally random on positioning to the button. So I get to work on this one a little for her. I was planning on doing something crazy with urushi with some unicorn colors instead of traditional ones. Like these.

I bought this Stardust Mica pigment pack on Amazon. While I did use the red in this, I actually combined it with Nuture Soap's Raspberry Red Mica because I'd already had one bad experience with the Stardust Mica red not staying true. I've heard WONDERFUL things about Nurture Soap's Really Red mica if you're looking for a true red. It's on my list to try out. :)

Well, my first attempt was with black iron oxide mica, which turned out terribly and taught me that lake colorants are required for dark colors. I've since ordered other colors off Amazon:

multi pack- www.amazon.com/dp/B01DB5N4A8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Zo7rzbG4D7XPG

A couple colors from these guys- www.amazon.com/dp/B0040EE8NC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_dt7rzb5K0DY58

And this vibrant pokeball red- www.amazon.com/dp/B00IAZVQFK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Hu7rzbY2002GY


I have not had a problem with any egg smell, but I advise people to use them before they get very old.

I’m actually pretty proud of the soaps I made last year as Xmas gifts. Here is the link for some of the base I like to use.

So like this then?

here is the resin

here is the silicon

here is the dye

i'm a poor art student so i've gone kinda the cheaper route, other stuff you might need are popsicle sticks, styrofoam cups to make your molds, and glitter and whatsuch if you'd like to go that route. over all i put about $60ish into the stuff i've linked above. good luck dude!

(edit: formatting bc mobile :p)

Not OP but assumed this


https://www.amazon.com/Neon-Soap-Cosmetic-Color-Sample/dp/B0725SBNZ9

I bought this 3.34” one and it’s absolutely perfect. It does not dent when you tap it to release with a spoon. It makes big Lush size bombs, I think - I haven’t had one in a while. Really happy with it especially after I too went through some smaller sets from amazon that dented badly.


Stainless Steel Bath Bomb Molds Professional Extra Large 3.34" (85 mm) Mold. Heavy... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074166478/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_jvCXDb9PQ9HPZ

Sure! I use my little blow torch to get rid of bubbles.

I use this mold which I love.

TOOTO Glossy Silicone Mold for Soap, Cake, Bread, Cupcake, Cheesecake, Cornbread, Muffin, Brownie, and More (6 Cavity Oval Shaped) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XX1LR9W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.g9IDbJ1RBFVY

I'd highly recommend this kit:

Beginner Soap Making Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CR9AODO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_7lRVAbXH1SC43

Yes, I know the shape you’re talking about..I’ll keep an eye out for that shape, and if I see it, I’ll send it to you!

Yes, I think amazon may even have kits for you to make your own molds somehow..

Edit: I think this may be it or close..
I just searched “curved soap molds”.
Note: I haven’t checked if this seller is reliable or not.

https://www.littlegreenworkshops.com.au/product/curved-oval-bar-silicone-mould/


Edit: also this one
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B68LNJP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_pSCzDbYAPTFST

Thanks, I'm a novice at this. If I just emptied this product into a sink, do you think it would look like that? Is there a difference between normal pigmented mica powder and "shimmer" mica powder?

Hate to take away from the handmade feeling but isn't this the mold for the "elven lembas inspired candle"? I mean the candle still has to be molded but it's clearly someone else's design isn't it?

Marijuana Leaf Silicone Soap, Butter, Candy Mold Tray, 2 Pack, 12 Cavities https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D3441S3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VewDCbAMA4S1G