Silicone vs. Plastic Soap Molds: Which One Should You Choose?

When producing soap at home, you have to choose the appropriate mold. The mold will decide the form and release of your soap. Two of the most popular ones are plastic soap molds and silicone soap molds. But which one do you prefer? In this blog, we're going to compare the two and let you know which one is best suited for your soap-making endeavors.

What Are Soap Molds?

Soap molds create soap as they dry. Soap, without a mold, would be too hard to work with. Molds also come in different materials with special properties. They are usually plastic or silicone, the most sought-after pair. Both have their pros but cons as well.

Silicone Soap Molds: The Flexible Option

Silicone soap molds are also flexible. They can be folded and twisted, and popping out the soap is a simple task after hardening. Soap makers are highly fond of this feature. Silicone cannot make soap stick to the mold due to its flexibility. Moreover, silicone molds will never get deformed even after a very long period.

Advantages of Silicone Soap Molds

• Soft Soap Popping: The silicone mold is very elastic. This will result in soft soap popping.
• Resistant and Long-Lasting: The silicone mold is resistant to tears and abrasions.
• Heat Resistance: There is superior heat resistance of Silicone, a vital field of usage in soap production.
• Non-Stick Property: The silicone molds have a non-stick property naturally. This doesn't make the soap stick to the mold.

However, silicone molds can be more expensive than plastic molds. That might be a factor if cost is a concern for you.

Plastic Soap Molds: The Budget-Friendly Alternative

Plastic soap molds are also very popular. They tend to be cheaper than silicone molds. Although plastic molds won't be as flexible, they perform great for most soap makers. Plastic molds are also reliable and long-lasting, providing sharp and clean edges to your soap.

Benefits of Plastic Soap Molds

• Cost-Effective: Plastic molds tend to be cheaper than silicone molds.
• Sharp Edges: Plastic molds offer more precise edges and sharper cuts.
• Variety of Designs: The plastic molds are very variable about design, shape, and size.

Plastic molds, however, crack or die after a while. That is, they might not be as enduring as silicone molds.

Flexibility and Ease of Use Compared

For flexibility, though, silicone soap molds are the winner hands down. They're soft and pliable, and soap just pops right out of them. Plastic molds aren't soft, however. You may have to tap lightly or coax it out, and sometimes doing that cracks up the soap.

Ease of use, secondly, is where silicone molds shine once more. Their flexibility provides a faster and smoother release of the soap. Additionally, silicone is easier to clean. Plastic molds, convenient as they are, are more difficult to clean and maintain.

Durability and Longevity

Silicone molds are stronger and more wear-resistant than plastic molds. When plastic molds crack and break, silicone molds can withstand it. Even when subjected to heat, wear, and tear, they last longer.

So if you need a durable mold, go for silicone. But if you are a beginner and you want something affordable, plastic soap molds are your best option.

Which Is Best for a Beginner?

A beginner soap maker can use both plastic and silicone molds. But then, silicone soap molds could be perfect for a beginner since they are easy to use and versatile. The non-stick surface will not allow soap to stick and is less infuriating for novice soap makers.

Additionally, the silicone molds are so easy that they can be bent and folded to push out the soap. The plastic molds, however great, could require a bit more work and patience, especially when one is trying to remove the soap without it cracking. 

Bottom Line: Making the Right Choice

The decision between plastic and silicone soap molds is completely your preference and what you enjoy and have fun with. If you enjoy the ease of use, durability, and versatility, then silicone soap mold would be the best choice. They are non-stick and the long-term upkeep on them is less.

Conversely, if you do not have a budget constraint and you need lots of designs, then plastic molds are the solution. They cost less, but they will not be as long-lasting as silicone molds.

In the end, either one is fine. So long as you have either plastic or silicone, the most important thing is that you enjoy making the soap and you end up with beautiful, quality soaps at the end of it