HOW TO USE
Step 1 — Prepare your mould
Line the interior of the wood log mould with a silicone liner or a sheet of greaseproof paper folded to fit snugly against all four sides and the base. This prevents soap from sticking to the wood and makes removal of the cured loaf simple.
Step 2 — Pour your soap batter
Make your cold process soap recipe to light-to-medium trace. Pour the soap batter evenly into the lined mould. Tap the mould gently on your work surface to remove air pockets. Smooth the top surface with a spatula if desired, or create texture with a spoon or skewer.
Step 3 — Insulate and cure
Cover the top of the mould with a piece of cardboard or a flat board, then wrap the entire mould in a towel or blanket. This insulates the soap and encourages full gel phase — where the saponification reaction heats the soap to approximately 70–80°C throughout, producing a translucent gel that results in vibrant colours and even curing. Leave undisturbed for 24–48 hours.
Step 4 — Unmould
After 24–48 hours the soap should be firm enough to unmould. Lift the silicone liner or greaseproof paper to remove the loaf in one piece. If the soap is still soft or sticky, leave in the mould for another 24 hours.
Step 5 — Slice and cure
Place the loaf on a cutting board and slice into individual bars using a sharp knife, soap cutter, or wire cutter. A standard 1.2L loaf produces approximately 8–10 bars at 2–2.5cm thick. Stand the bars on their sides with space between them and leave to cure in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location for a minimum of 4–6 weeks before use.
KEY BENEFITS
- Wooden construction retains insulation heat during the cold process gel phase — promotes even, full gel throughout the loaf for consistent colour, texture, and cure from edge to edge
- 1.2L capacity is the perfect size for a standard hobby to small-production batch — accommodates 400–500g oil weight recipes
- Produces uniform, professional-looking bars every time — straight sides, even thickness, clean cuts
- More efficient than individual cavity moulds — pour one batch, slice multiple bars; far faster for regular soap production
- Reusable indefinitely with proper care and use of a liner
- Versatile — suitable for cold process, hot process, and melt and pour soap
- Compatible with Wood Log Mould Dividers (sold separately) for pre-divided bar formats and intricate swirl or layered designs
- Straightforward to use — no special skills required; the standard mould format taught in all beginner soap making guides and books
- Pairs perfectly with your existing soap making ingredient range — designed for standard 400–500g oil batches
TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
Always use a liner: Never pour soap batter directly into an unlined wooden mould. Raw soap batter (before saponification is complete) is highly alkaline and will damage the wood, may stick permanently, and makes removal very difficult. Always line with a silicone liner or greaseproof paper.
Encourage gel phase for vivid colours: Cover and insulate the mould immediately after pouring to promote a full, even gel phase. Gelled soap has richer, more vibrant colours than ungelled soap — particularly important for soaps coloured with micas, oxides, or natural botanicals.
Prevent gel phase for white soap: If you want a bright white uncoloured soap (such as a bastille or lard soap), place the mould in the refrigerator or freezer for 24 hours after pouring to prevent gel phase. Remove and allow to complete saponification at room temperature before unmoulding.
Let it harden fully before slicing: Cold process soap needs 24–48 hours minimum before unmoulding and slicing. If the soap is still soft or sticky at 24 hours, give it another day. Slicing too early produces bars with rough, torn edges rather than clean cuts.
Clean dry storage: After use, remove any soap residue from the interior while it is still fresh, allow the mould to dry completely, and store in a dry location. Avoid soaking in water — prolonged water exposure will warp and damage the wood.
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
- Cold process soap loaves
- Hot process soap loaves
- Melt and pour soap loaves
- Layered soap designs
- Swirl soap designs (with or without dividers)
- Embedded soap designs
- Salt bar loaves
- Shampoo bar loaves
- Conditioning bar loaves
