6 Best Silicone Molds for Soap Making
So you’re getting into soap making and are ready to purchase your first (or next) silicone mold. Great choice! If you’ve already selected silicone as your material, we applaud you for an excellent choice in simplicity (not messing around with nuts and bolts or glue to hold it in place), durability, and abundant, versatile variety.
The best silicone mold for soap making for most people is the Ozera 6 Cavity Mold. It offers simplicity since it doesn’t require cutting, an appealing size and shape, and durable, high-quality material. Depending on your preferred soap style, you may also consider additional options.
In this article, we’ll first take you through what you should consider when buying a silicone mold to make handcrafted soap. We’ll also discuss why the Ozera 6 Cavity Mold is the best choice for most people and provide alternatives that are better options in certain situations.
What To Consider When Selecting a Silicone Mold for Soap Making
It would be best to consider a handful of primary factors when choosing the right silicone mold for your soap making aspirations. Think of what type of soap you are planning to make the most often in regards to:
- Size
- Shape
- Design
- Quantity of soap you want to make per batch
- Cutting system
- Cost (purchase price + life expectancy before replacing)
We’ll get into each of these factors in more detail below.
What Size Soap Bars Are Best for You?
This is pretty plain and simple. Do you want big bars, little bars, medium bars, or somewhere in between? If you are making a more masculine soap, perhaps gifting to or marketing to a male audience, you may opt for a larger, wider bar to better fit his hands.
Are you making it for kids? Perhaps specializing in a gentle, kid-friendly line of soaps? If so, a large, wide bar is probably not ideal for little hands to grab.
Depending on what type of silicone mold you go with, the size may be predetermined completely by the mold. Molds with cavities come out just as the cavities are. Molds that make a larger hunk that you’ll slice give you a bit more control on size, as long as you’re happy with the initial loaf size.
What Shape Soap Bars Are You Envisioning?
Once you’ve decided on your soap bars’ size, it’s important to consider if you would like them to be any particular shape. While most soap bars are rectangular or some version of a rectangle (perhaps slightly curved, with rounded corners, square, etc.), some are rectangular with a detailed, shaped top. Still others are completely different shaped, perhaps molded into the shape of a star, heart, or something more elaborate.
If you can envision it, the corresponding silicone mold likely exists, so set your sights on what you want and find the mold that can make it happen.
Do You Intend To Add Any Detailed Design Techniques to Your Soap Bars?
Do you enjoy making soap using a particular design technique? Or do you aspire to practice and learn a new one? Some designs just work better or appear more attractive when implemented on soap of a certain size or shape, so what type of mold you use matters.
As you’re reading and learning about a new soapmaking design technique, pay attention to the outcomes and how they look in various shapes or styles of soap. Peacock swirls, for example, really only work in a slab mold. Drop swirls look best and come through the most prominently in a tall, skinny shaped soap.
If you’re adding in some embeds, layering, or playing around with some pouring techniques, single cavity molds may work just as well as a slab or loaf. Think this through ahead of time so you can pick something to maximize your design efforts. Perhaps you’ll go out on a limb and try an unconventional mold style or shape for your intended design… give it a whirl. You may just be the next to share how great your newest bar of soap turned out!
How Much Soap Will You Make at a Time?
When deciding on the right silicone mold for you, the quantity of soap you’ll make per batch is important. If you’re a hobby soaper, you’re not going to want big molds to accommodate a 25-pound (11.34 kg) batch, whereas a small business owner or artisan soapmaker might prefer that volume. For the average soap maker, a mold somewhere in the neighborhood of three pounds may be perfect.
What Type of Cutting Systems Do You Have or Like To Use?
Here’s where two major categories of silicone molds come into play. There are loaf or slab molds that make one large brick of soap that must be cut into bars. There are also individual or single cavity molds, which — you guessed it, make soap bars molded into individual bricks right off the bat, so no cutting is needed.
If you don’t own a soap cutting tool or aren’t interested in one, then a single cavity mold is the way to go. With this type of mold, you don’t have to do any cutting whatsoever. If you’re planning to use a regular sharp kitchen knife to cut your soap into bricks, you’ll want to stick with a smaller sized loaf mold – think about something comparable to a loaf of bread, or the maximum sized item you’d cut in your kitchen with that same knife.
If you have a specific soap cutting tool or machine already, it makes sense to select a silicone mold that will produce soap in the right shape and size so you can use your tool.
If you’re pretty serious and own a soap cutting log splitter, you’re ready to go with a large slab mold for an economy-sized batch. If you’re curious to know what this is, watch a log splitter in action here as it’s used to cut a 30-pound (13.61 kg) slab of soap, as demonstrated by Zakia Ringgold:
How Much Are You Willing To Spend on a Mold? (Purchase Plus Replacement Over Time)
The purchase cost is certainly something to consider, and only you can decide what’s the right price for you. Depending on how much soap you want to make at a time, remember you may need to purchase multiple molds to meet that quota or invest more for a larger mold.
Additionally, consider the importance of quality in the cost of your mold. Something that costs less upfront for purchase price may deteriorate quicker and require replacement sooner than a higher-end product.
Our Top Picks of Silicone Molds for Soap Making
Now that you’re thinking of silicone soap molds from all those different angles, let’s talk about our top picks in a few different categories.
- Best Overall: Ozera 6 Cavity Mold
- Best Attractive Detailed Top: Baker Depot 6 Cavity Rose Molds
- Best Unique Shaped: X-Haibei 6 Cavity Mooncake Molds
- Best for Round Individual Cavities: Moukiween 12 Cavity Large Round Mold
- Best for Rectangular Individual Cavities: TDHDIKE 6 Cavity Mold
- Best Loaf: YGEOMER Rectangular Loaf Mold With Scraper and Cover
Best Overall: Ozera 6 Cavity Mold
As an excellent silicone soap making mold at a reasonable price that doesn’t require any special cutting tools (okay, it doesn’t require any cutting at all!), the Ozera six cavity mold gets the top choice spot on our list. The Ozera will work best for most people.
Highlights
- Practical and durable: This is a flexible, non-stick mold that holds up well to high usage. It’s as straightforward and practical as it comes.
- Comes in a two-pack: This particular item, which you can purchase on Amazon, comes in a pack of two molds, each with six cavities.
- Easy to unmold: Users of this mold say you simply turn it upside down, and the smooth silicone allows the soap to pop right out with a gentle push from the bottom.
- Great customer service: The folks at Ozera stand behind their product and are committed to excellent customer service.
Product Specifications
| Bars of Soap Made Per Mold | 6 |
| Overall Size of Mold | 8.8” x 8.1” x 1” (22.35 x 20.57 x 2.54 cm) |
| Overall Size of Each Bar | 3.2” x 2.2” x 1” (8.12 x 5.59 x 2.54 cm) |
| Price | $9.99 (per two-pack) |
| Temperature Specifications | -40℉ to +446℉ (-40℃ to +230℃) |
Best Attractive Detailed Top: Baker Depot 6 Cavity Rose Molds
These rose molds have us swooning. The intricate detail on the top of these round shaped molds is delicate, dainty, and absolutely divine.
Highlights
- Durable: 100% silicone ensures a nice quality product
- Dishwasher safe: Easy to clean or can withstand the heat of the dishwasher
- Perfect size: Reviewers report this is a perfect sized soap mold
- Incredible detail: The intricacy of the rose petal detail will wow you or the recipients of your soap.
Product Specifications
| Bars of Soap Made Per Mold | 6 |
| Overall Size of Mold | 11.6” x 6.8” x 1.5” (29.46 x 17.27 x 3.81 cm) |
| Overall Size of Each Bar | 2.75” or 6.99 cm diameter (round) |
| Price | $7.60 (per two-pack) |
| Temperature Specifications | -40℉ to 445℉ (-40℃ – 229℃) |
Best Unique Shape: X-Haibei 6 Cavity Mooncake Molds
Alright, if you don’t already love these based on their name, “Mooncake,” we don’t understand you. At just over a half-inch thickness, these cuties make slightly thinner bars of soap that work well for samples or gifts or just for everyday use. They make a scalloped edge square bar of soap that also boasts a pattern on top.
Highlights
- High-quality material: Made of U.S.food-grade silicone.
- Random colors: think of it as a grab bag, you never know what color you’ll get!
- Quick-release: This mold boasts super easy demolding.
- Great for hot or cold process soap: Reviewers report this mold performs well no matter your method.
Product Specifications
| Bars of Soap Made Per Mold | 6 |
| Overall Size of Mold | 9.8” x 6.3” x 0.6” (24.89 x 16 x 1.52 cm) |
| Overall Size of Each Bar | 2.2” x 2.2” x 0.6” (5.59 x 5.59 x 1.52 cm) |
| Price | $7.99 |
| Temperature Specifications | -40℉ to +440℉ (-40℃ to +227℃) |
Best Round Individual Cavities: Moukiween 12 Cavity Large Round Mold
If you’re looking for an individual cavity mold that makes pretty round bars, the Moukiween 12 cavity silicone mold is our top pick. These are called “large” in the Amazon listing, but in reality, they are really about the size of an oreo. Overall, they’re a fantastic handheld size for use in the shower or at the sink side.
Highlights
- Lightweight mold: This mold is lightweight, and reviewers appreciate that it’s easy to store.
- Easy to clean: Like many, the silicone material makes it super easy to clean and get ready for reuse.
- Pops right out: This mold boasts easy removal from the tray.
- Thick silicone: Food grade BPA-free silicone makes for a nice thick product.
Product Specifications
| Bars of Soap Made Per Mold | 12 |
| Overall Size of Mold | 10” x 7” x 1” (25.4 x 17.78 x 2.54 cm) |
| Overall Size of Each Bar | 1.9” (4.83 cm) diameter x 1” (2.54 cm) |
| Price | $13.99 (per two-pack) |
| Temperature Specifications | -104℉ to +446℉ (-40℃ to +230℃) |
Best Rectangular Individual Cavities: TDHDIKE 6 Cavity Mold
For those looking for a great rectangular silicone soap mold that requires zero cutting, this mold by TDHDIKE is the way to go. With this no-frills set, you get an incredible three molds for the same price as many single molds.
Highlights
- Colorful: You’ll get pink, blue, and green molds to make you smile as you create soap.
- High-quality material: This silicone material promises not to fade or stain, has no odor, is tough, and it is flexible, assuring it’ll last a long time.
- Highly recommended: At the time of this writing, in early 2021, this silicone mold was ranked #3 overall in soap making molds on Amazon, with an astounding 4.8 out of 5-star rating amongst about 900 reviews.
Product Specifications
| Bars of Soap Made Per Mold | 6 |
| Overall Size of Mold | 8.1” x 8.7” x 1” (20.57 x 20 x 2.54 cm) |
| Overall Size of Each Bar | 3.2” x 2.2” x 1” (8.13 x 5.59 x 2.54 cm) |
| Price | $8.99 (per three-pack) |
| Temperature Specifications | -20℉ – 446℉ (-30℃~230℃) |
Best Loaf: YGEOMER Rectangular Loaf Mold With Scraper and Cover
This silicone mold is a trusty go-to loaf for those looking to make an average-sized batch of soap. In a pretty purple color, it even comes with a cover and a scraper to help get those last bits and pieces out when it’s time to unmold.
Highlights
- High-quality material: Made of 100% food-grade silicone, this mold will stand up to the test of time and wear and tear. They are reportedly sturdy in keeping their form and not losing shape.
- Great capacity: Holds just shy of 40 oz of soap batter total, making for a lovely sized batch for your average at home soap maker.
- Great value: Compared to more expensive brands, this one wins in the price category for the same quality product.
Product Specifications
| Bars of Soap Made Per Mold | ~9 (depending on your cut) |
| Overall Size of Mold | 8.8” x 4.7” 2.8” (22.35 x 11.94 x 7.11 cm) |
| Overall Size of Each Bar | 4.7” x 2.8” x 1” depending on your cut (11.94 x 7.11 x 2.54 cm) |
| Price | $10.59 |
| Temperature Specifications | 104℉ to 446℉ (-40℃ to 230℃) |
Tips for Working With Any Silicone Mold
No matter which mold you select to work with, we’d be remiss if we didn’t offer you a few pointers for general success in using a silicone soap mold. Here are a few suggestions to end up with bars of soap that make you smile every time you unmold.
Use a Water Discount (Reduced Water Amount)
It’s always a great idea to use a lye calculator for your soap recipe to ensure the oils and lye ratio are correct. Try Majestic Mountain Sage or SoapCalc. However, these calculators usually have a default number of 38% water, which our friends at The Nerdy Farm Wife feel is on the high side if you’re working with a decorative silicone mold. Aim for something more like 33% water.
Note: Water amounts can be extremely flexible, so experiment to determine the amount you prefer.
Add Sodium Lactate or Salt
Try using a secret ingredient additive to help your soap harden and unmold from a silicone mold very easily. Okay, maybe it’s not so secret, but it usually works like magic! Add one teaspoon of sodium lactate PPO (per lb of oil in your recipe) to the cooled lye solution, or use half a teaspoon of table salt PPO in the hot lye solution.
Use a Tray for Individual Cavity Molds
Those pretty little single cavity silicone molds can be wobbly and difficult to move once poured full of soap batter. To avoid spills, put the molds on a tray or wax paper-lined baking sheet before filling, just in case you need to relocate them after they’re full.
Chill Out if Stuck
If you have difficulty removing your soap when it’s time to unmold, give it a little time to chill out in the freezer. After a few hours, it should unmold easily.
Conclusion
There are many silicone mold options out there for soap makers, and you will find success with many. After considering price and factors related to use, selecting a mold from our top six choices will support success every time. Best of luck to you in your soap making journey!
