Are you looking for creative ways to keep your child busy? You can use silicone molds to make various products such as bath crayons and toys.
Silicone is a plastic polymer substance made out of siloxane. It is typically a rubber-like substance or a colorless oil. Silicone molds are used in various aspects of living, the most common being kitchen items and ornament making for interior design. Silicone molding is also known as vacuum mold casting, as a 3D prototype is manufactured by a 3D printer, from which the master product is made.
There are a ton of benefits to using silicone mold in making products. Silicone molds are strong, easy-to-use, precise fabrication, readily available, versatile, and cheap to produce, unlike metal and ceramic molds.
Types of Silicone Molds
You may be wondering what silicone to use for a mold. There are two basic types of silicone mold for making products. They are tin cure and platinum cure.
The platinum cure is the more expensive of the two. As noted by product designer Shannon Manner, it offers better mold stability, produces no peroxide residues, and has less shrinkage. This reduces overall efficiency and downtime. You must handle it with care. The tin cure is less expensive and produces a hassle-free cure. You must handle it with care.
Making a silicone mold in the comfort of your home is very easy. The materials needed are easy to acquire and cheap as well. Here is a detailed guide for silicone mold products you can make for your home.
You can also use silicone mold to make home decorations such as flowers, candle holders, and mold vases for holding flowers. So do not limit your creativity as you can make pretty much anything with a silicone mold.
Bath Crayons
Bath crayons are a fun way to get your kids to love bath time. They are easy to clean, so no worries when your children write on walls. You only need a damp cloth or sponge to wash them off.
You can take advantage of these qualities and spend quality family time together while making these crayons, as the materials required are kid-friendly.
You might be wondering what silicone to use for a mold. Well, a rubber silicone mold type is suitable for making bath crayons. Here is a step-by-step to making bath crayons using silicone molds.
Items needed
- Silicone mold
- Food dye
- Soap base
- One bowl
- Veggie slicer
- Mixing bowl
- Mixing spoon
Steps to follow
- Slice off a chunk of soap base brick, about two inches wide
- Dice up the soap base chunk and put it into the bowl.
- Pop the soap base into the microwave for a few minutes for it to melt, and stir in between
- Once the soap base is completely melted, remove it from the microwave and add in your favorite essential oils (about five to ten drops)
- Transfer a couple of spoonfuls of your base into a mixing bowl, doing it one color at a time.
- Add as much food dye as you wish to obtain the color type you want
- Mix this thoroughly and finally pour it into your silicone mold
- Set the mold aside and let it sit until your homemade bath crayons are hard.
Toys and Other Product Duplicates
Food grade is the best silicone mold type for toy making. This is because kids have the habit of putting toys in their mouths, and you don’t want them getting sick from chemicals.
Items needed.
- Water
- Dish soap
- Bowl
- Caulking gun
- Scissors
- Masking tape
- Master product toy
Steps to follow
- Make a catalyzing bath solution of highly concentrated dish soap with water in a bowl. The curing process of the solution is accelerated by the glycerine contained in the dish soap.
- Put the silicone caulk tube in the caulking gun. Then pour enough silicone to ensure that it covers your desired object entirely.
- Prepare the mold. Gently clump the silicone string together while submerging your hands in the bath.
- Form the silicone into a ball, working it out as one would knead the dough. This is how to make a silicone mold.
- Sink your desired material into the mold.
- Ensure your mold is water-tight by adding a thick layer of silicone to the surface area of your object.
- Let the mold cure for about an hour and gently remove your creation once the mold feels rigid and no longer touchy.
Gummies
Gummies are a favorite snack for many kids and adults. They fill the stomach and can never be boring as they come in different shapes, colors and sizes. They can be made at home, making them easier to access. All you need is food-grade silicone molds.
Items needed
- Two packs of unflavoured gelatine
- Half a cup of cold water
- A quarter cup of corn syrup
- One box of jello
- Silicone mold
Steps to follow
- Add half a cold water and a quarter cup of corn syrup to a medium-sized pot.
- Stir the mixture until the corn syrup is dissolved
- Add the two packets of unflavoured gelatin to the mixture
- Add a box of jello
- Stir until all ingredients turn into the liquid mixture
- Turn on your heat to low heat and put the mixture on the heat
- Stir the mixture until it turns into a sugary liquid substance
- Pour the liquid substance into your silicone mold and let it cool for three to four hours or until it is hard and firm.
- Serve when cool
Remember to be careful when pouring the hot mixture into the mold. You can use a nozzle bottle to pour the mixture into the mold, making the task easier and avoiding a huge sticky mess.
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Baking Tray
Are silicone molds suitable for baking? Yes. Silicone is proven to be food safe. Silicone molds are heat resistant, non-stick, firm, and easy to clean.
The following are tips to remember when making baking equipment using silicone molds.
- Make small baking equipment as they are less likely to bend and crack.
- Have diverse shapes for your baking equipment.
- The molds also are used as serving containers after baking.
Final Thoughts
Not only are silicone molds easy to use, but they are also inexpensive. Things made from silicone molds are environmentally friendly. As a result, many schools have introduced this art in their art and craft lessons, allowing students to exploit their shape imaginations.
Have you tried making anything using silicone molds for your home? Share your experience and how your things turned out.
*This is a collaborative post
