You can turn almost anything into a soap mold with food-safe mold putty. I found a pretty wooden furniture applique, made a quick mold of it, and cast shimmery gold soap embeds to set on red and teal holiday bars. The mold takes about 20 minutes to set and lasts a long time.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links in this post are affiliate links. They cost you nothing extra and help support Koala Soap.
Materials & Tools
Soap Base
- About 8 oz of clear melt and pour soap base per bar
- About 1 oz of soap per gold embed
Color & Scent
- King Midas Gold, Teal Green and Red Strawberry mica from a Stardust mica set
- A fresh fragrance oil (I used Cucumber Melon)
Tools
- Food-safe mold putty (two-part, mixed 1:1)
- Decorative wood applique, or any item you want to copy
- Wax paper to protect your work surface
- Small scissors for trimming the mold
- 6 cavity soap mold
- Spray bottle of 91% isopropyl alcohol
- Thermometer
- Pour cups
Fragrance Amount
Use up to 5 ml of fragrance oil per 16 oz (1 lb) of soap base. For one 8 oz bar, that’s no more than 2½ ml. You can always use less.
How to Make a Putty Soap Mold
1. Measure the Putty
Mold putty comes in two parts mixed 1:1. Roll a ball of each and compare them side by side until they look the same size. A little goes a long way.
2. Mix Quickly
Knead the two parts together until there are no streaks left. You have about 5–10 minutes to work before it starts to set.
3. Press the Item In
Work on wax paper. Press the putty firmly over your item, starting in the middle, so it gets into all the details. Leave a small lip around the edge so soap won’t spill out. If you poke through a thin spot, patch it with a little more putty. Flatten the back so the mold sits level. Let it set 15–20 minutes.
How to Make the Holiday Soaps
4. Pour the Bars
While the mold sets, color 8 oz portions of clear base red and teal and add fragrance at about 130°F. Pour into the cavity mold and spray with alcohol.
5. Unmold the Putty Mold
Peel the item out of the putty and trim any extra edges with small scissors.
6. Cast the Gold Embeds
Mix King Midas Gold into a little melted soap and pour it into your new mold. Each embed takes about 1.1 oz. Let it set and pop it out.
7. Attach the Embeds
Unmold the bars. Drip a little matching melted soap onto each bar and press a gold embed on top.
Tips & What I Learned
- Compare putty balls by size. It’s an easy way to get a 1:1 mix.
- Work fast. The putty starts setting in minutes.
- Leave a lip. It keeps the soap from overflowing.
- Patch holes. Add a little more putty over any thin spots.
- Copy almost anything. Buttons, jewelry, appliques and toys all work.
Troubleshooting
The mold has a hole. Patch it with fresh putty before it sets.
The mold wobbles. Flatten the back before it sets.
The embed lost detail. Press the putty more firmly into the item next time.
FAQ
Is mold putty safe for soap?
Use a putty labeled food or cosmetic safe, like the one I used.
How long does a putty mold last?
A long time. Wash it gently with warm soapy water.
More Holiday Soap Ideas
- Christmas Ornament Ball Soap
- Holiday Impression Mat Melt and Pour Soap
- Holiday Swirl Melt and Pour Soap
- How to Make a Curved Soap Mold at Home
- All my melt and pour soap tutorials on YouTube
If you make this, I’d love to see it! Tag me on Instagram or Pinterest, and subscribe on YouTube for new soap tutorials.
