Soap molds are natural soap making supplies that usually make me excited about the imagined finished product, long before I’ve even started making them. For me, simply seeing the mold makes me visualize what my finished product would be like … it’s as if I can almost smell it. My kids sometimes get to choose the mold they want, too.

But let me get a hold of myself.

Soap molds are usually the easiest things to purchase. You can buy them at your local craft store and will probably be made of plastic. There may be different types of molds – bar shaped, the usual round shaped beauty bar type of mold, molds shaped like a flower, hearts, star, etc. the best thing about them? They are really inexpensive so you can buy as many as you want and it would still fit your budget.

There are also silicone soap molds. These are usually very durable and flexible – it’s just like those flexible cake pans and muffin tins that you probably have in your home. (I don’t know if your mom would appreciate you using them for soap though.) You can find it in craft stores as well. If you can’t find one nearby, try searching online. Some manufacturers can even make one for you, custom-made.

We also have the traditional wooden molds, which is actually the traditional way of making soap (what our forefathers used in their daily soap making activities). These are just basic wooden boxes with one difference – they have hinges at the sides for easy soap removal. Curing can also be done on these molds, but just between 24 to 72 hours. (The rest of the curing process can be done on a cooling rack after taking out the soap.) You can even cut the soap straight from the box.

You can also make your own molds. A friend I know makes her soap molds with PVC pipes. Another one makes soaps as gifts, so she thought of making soap molds of real clam shells. And you can also buy those with a touch of uniqueness, especially if you’re into soap-giving come holiday season. There are some manufacturers who do holiday molds (depending on the season), animal molds, etc.

Going back, your molds should help you in envisioning your final product. That would make for a more enjoyable soap-making session. Who knows? You might even make more than what you’ve bargained for.