It’s always fun to experiment with new molds, fragrances and designs, but at the end of the day every soaper has their own tried and true recipe and go-to set of soapy tools. In the Soap Lab, our foolproof toolkit is anchored around the 10″ Silicone Loaf Mold.
The 10″ Silicone Loaf Mold in action!
Earning a 5/5 star review on our website, this mold can handle anything you throw at it. It’s made of heavy reinforced silicone to help hold its shape. It can withstand temperatures between -40F to 446F, which means you can throw it in the freezer or stick in the oven depending on your soapy project.
With a capacity of 50 oz., or about 3 lbs., it’s perfect for a variety of soapy designs and projects, from layers to swirls. We’ve used this mold in countless cold process Soap Queen tutorials:
Top row, left to right: Black, White and Gold All Over, Natural Colorant Taiwan Swirl, Shamrock Cold Process
Middle row, left to right: Leopard Spots Tutorial, Rainbow Squirty Swirls, Mica Topped Cold Process
Bottom row, left to right: Beeswax Cold Process, Strawberries & Cream, Striped Berry Champagne Cold Process
As with any silicone mold, we recommend adding Sodium Lactate to your lye water so it releases sooner from the mold. Sodium Lactate is the sodium salt of Lactic Acid, and is commonly used as a preservative in food products. For soaping purposes, it facilitates the hardening of the bar and thus eases the unmolding process. The usage rate for sodium lactate is 1 teaspoon per pound of oils (not total yield!) in your soaping recipe.
Because it’s silicone, the 10″ Silicone Loaf Mold does wonders for melt & pour projects too. Take a look at a few below:
Left to right: Embedded Hearts, Birthday Cake Soap, Violet Glitter Gradient
This mold is built to last, but every now and again it needs a little TLC. The best way to care for this mold is to hand wash it with soap and water. It is possible to stain the mold with some colorants, but the stain is unlikely to transfer onto any future soapy projects. The same goes for lingering fragrances too!
Still not convinced this is the best mold ever? Check it out in action in the Instagram video below!
What is your go-to soapy mold?
how do you measure to cut the loaf? or are there lines impressed on your soap for that
There aren’t lines on the mold, instead you can use a ruler to measure the size of bars you like and make a little indentation. Then, cut on those indents for even bars.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I have to say, these 10 inch molds are my favorite loaf molds! I have an acrylic slab mold that holds 6 pounds of soap, which is the same amount needed to fill 2 silicone ones! This way, I don’t have to adjust my recipe size! I got in the habit of using sodium lactate a long time ago, when I was using a cheaply made silicone mold, so I continue using it in all my soaps! It is very inexpensive, and helps make a harder bar, as well as making unmolding a snap!
A couple of things in the description aren’t quite accurate though. Any fragrance (patchouli) that is strong, stays in the mold FOREVER!! I have tried everything to get the smell out, as I can’t stand that particular fragrance! So any tips for how to get the smell out? I have tried lots of things, including making strongly scented soaps in it, like peppermint, lavender, fresh bamboo, etc. It still smells like patchouli, though the smell doesn’t transfer to other soaps, thank goodness!
I have also not been able to figure out a way to put soap in the oven in this mold. I set my oven to 170, leave it until it gels, then turn the oven off, and let it sit until the next morning. The soap ALWAYS “boils” and leaves little holes all around the bottom and sides of the loaf. I can plane them off, but it takes quite a bit of soap off, thus making more waste. Are there any tricks to putting it in the oven, and not getting the holes?
All in all though, I still really love them!! 🙂
No- don’t oil them. As long as they’re clean and dry, you need no prep. I just wait overnight to I mold as I usually soap in the evening. I’ve never had anything but beautiful edges and corners doing this.
So happy to hear that these molds have been working out well for you! 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
I’ve been curious about trying silicone molds for a while, but I’m hesitant to try them but these reviews might have me convinced!
Once question- are you supposed to oil them before pouring in your soap, or does it release easily on its own (with the addition of sodium lactate)?
Hi Molly!
Nope, you do not need to oil them at all :). Sodium Lactate certainly helps the soap release from the mold faster, but is not totally necessary…it just cuts down on having to wait!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
I agree with what you wrote and the comments so far! I almost didn’t buy the 10″ mold, since I had a cheapo silicone loaf mold from someone else, but I’m so glad I bought this mold from BB!!! It’s stable and has a great shape (unlike that other mold); it’s easy to clean … I could go on! And then the “little sister” 4-inch mold … sigh, I love it so much for small batches. I wouldn’t be without either one! In fact, I have several of each one! 🙂
Now, we just need one in the middle for 2-lb batches!
Hi Elizabeth!
That’s awesome, I’m so glad you’re enjoying the silicone molds! 🙂 If you ever get photos of your projects, we would love to see them on our Facebook page!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
My go-to is almost always my 4″ silicone square mold!
Just enough to make soap when we run out of soap! Also GREAT for trying out new recipes and saving supplies at the same time! Next my 10″ silicone loaf mold for when I make large batches. These silicone molds are my favorite! Thanks for carrying them!
Hi Cynthia!
I couldn’t agree more, the 4″ Silicone Square Mold is perfect for trying out new recipes! It also makes such a great amount of soap for personal use. So glad you’re enjoying the silicone molds! 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
I use this mold in conjunction with the 8 in. silicone loaf mold for my 5 lb. recipes. I have never had a problem with making or unmolding soap. I ordered two more last week as demands for making soap have increased. This is a wonderful product.
Hi Jane!
Thanks so much for your feedback, I’m so glad you have been enjoying the mold! I love how easily it makes unmolding as well 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
My go-to is also this 10″ silicone loaf mold, but I have to say I also love its little sister mold, the 4″ square silicone; I have two of those so far. I find I use the larger one for my HP soaps and use the small square molds for my MP creations. I just love them and I never have any issues with release, even without using SL.
Hi Tiiu!
I’m so glad you have been enjoying your silicone molds :). I’m a big fan of the 4 inch square silicone mold as well, it’s so nice when you only want to make a small batch!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry