If you follow me on Twitter, you know that the incomparable Amber accidentally ripped the divider off the side of the perfect swirl molds last week. This is what happens if you rip instead of slide.
When you’re using the Divider Molds (soon to be released, I promise), just gently wiggle and slide the side bars up the side of the soap. Always remember to slide the dividers off. Slide. Slide. Slide.
Michele says
I am also having the same problem as the Michelle with two L’s but I didn’t line the mold. How do I get the soap out?
Michele says
So I figured it out! After leaving it in the freezer for awhile, I cut around the edges and even cut some of the soap bars out with a knife. After that I turned the mold over and gently banged it with a hammer and voila the chunk came out of the mold!
Becky with Bramble Berry says
We are so happy to hear that your were able to get your soap out of the mold! We’ve also found that if you use a pair pliers and pull gently, you can remove the dividers in this mold. 🙂
-Becky with Bramble Berry
Michelle says
I have made CP soap in the wooden 9 divider mold and cannot get the soap out of the wooden mold. I see the comments about how to remove the dividers once the soap is out of the mold, but mine is still stuck fast inside the mold itself. Any suggestions about how I can remove it?
Becky with Bramble Berry says
Good morning, Michelle! We typically find that turning the mold fully over and slightly tapping/pounding that the soap usually slides right out. What did you line your mold with? 🙂
-Becky with Bramble Berry
Suzette says
Anne-Marie –
Was this mold lined with freezer paper? I can’t tell from the picture. Would releasing the soap more than 24-48 hours help in getting a nicer bar out? I’m asking because I have an 18-bar mold I used once and had the same result as Amber, and swore I’d use it for fire starter, but I haven’t yet!
JoannaSchmidt says
bad Amber, bad!
😉
Anne-Marie says
Rubber basting brush – good tip! Thanks for sharing.
SplurgeSisters says
I wipe the mineral oil on with paper towel or with a rubber basting brush (it’s rubber but has all teeth like a brush) and it’s worked well for me. I find even with mineral oil though I have to wait until it’s ready (like I mentioned I’m always dying to see how a soap turns out) but it just slides out.
Dutchsoap says
ah, well I saw Ada already left a comment some hours ago.
She’s a very good soapmaker here in Holland. 🙂
karin
Dutchsoap says
I always use a baking spray in my mold. This is also the same material but not with dividors. It really works well! (here in Holland it’s from dr. Oetker).
By the way….I love your tutorials about soapmaking.
Ada says
I never had that problem. But maybe it depends on what baking spray you use. Maybe you could try it with a small test batch and see what happens.
Erin Pikor says
Yeah – I’ve done that! 🙂
tanyachappell says
I originally thought SL was made from milk (lactate=milk in my mind) so I didn’t include it in my vegan friendly soaps. Then I was told by my supplier that the SL I buy is made from fermentation of sugars, so I researched it for myself. This is an informative link I found: http://www.sodium-lactate.com/ 🙂
TeresaR says
Well, as much of a bummer as that was, it’s good to know that even the pros get impatient and make mistakes. :}
Anne-Marie says
With the mineral oil, are you just wiping it on with a paper towel? This seems like a great option.
Sodium Lactate, my understanding is that it uses the same starter as cheese does to manufacture it so that’s probably why it’s not considered vegan.
SplurgeSisters says
I have a custom HDPE mold and I have this problem from time to time whether I use the divider section or the regular log mold. I have Sodium Lactate but was under the impression it wasn’t vegan (although I can’t remember where but found a website that said otherwise) so haven’t used it in a long time. Also I’m impatient when unmolding and usually use a flat knife to smooth the sides so it looks almost perfect. I’ve also heard to use baking spray but have been afraid to try it but it would be so handy.
Anne-Marie says
Ada, Do you ever get any oil pitting with the soap at all from the cooking/baking spray? I’ve heard this suggestion before but was always worried about oil pitting.
Anne-Marie says
I have a bottle of sodium lactate in the soap studio to test to add to the BB product line because I’ve heard this awesome suggestion so much! Thanks for egging me on!
aussiesoapsupplies says
Yes, but when patience isn’t a virtue, a bread and butter knife slide right around the sides really helps 🙂
Anne-Marie says
It’s totally still workable. But I superfatted too high so it’s still a bit soft. It will be one luxurious bar when it’s all said and done.
Anne-Marie says
(doh!) Who wouldn’t want to see that soap quickly? Still, completely your fault … =)
Ada says
I had the same thing happen to me with my diveder mold. After that I started spraying the parts with baking spray and never had that problem again.
Anita says
whom do you tell? I even sometimes rip of something of my bars when i slide with my dividor 🙁 its a technique on its own for sure
tanyachappell says
Oh, how well do I know this! I have also found that if your recipe is a little on the soft side, or you are as impatient as I am, adding sodium lactate to your batch (I use 2% of oil weight) helps with how well the dividers slide up!
Erin says
Aahh … this picture brings back memories of my early soap-making days. I have a couple of divider moulds here at home and yep, you have to be patient with them!
kindredscents says
oh no! but i am sure you can still use the soap, right? and if not you can always send some my way “wink” (my husband loves your Energy CP soap)!
Amber_BrambleGirl says
In my defense, Anne-Marie was totally standing right next to me egging me on to get the soap out as quickly as possible!