In this plastic and single-use world, many are looking out for alternatives. Silicone tools and moulds are and turn out to be a great idea for fun activities such as DIY bath and body products.
DIY is really satisfying especially if it’s about DIY bath and body projects you can make as you wish with the help of fun silicone moulds…
What is silicone and is it safe?
Silicone (siloxane) is a flexible and malleable synthetic material that contains silicon (made by heating natural silica) and ingredients such as carbon and oxygen. It’s a polymer that shares some features with plastic but it’s considered more resistant to heat (up to 220C°), highly reusable and easy to clean. Its ability to be shaped in many forms and its high flexibility make it so popular for cooking, eating and well-being items. Take into consideration the many pops of colour it can take, and you have eye-catching tools for many usages
Silicone can last long but isn’t 100% inherit when it comes to direct contact with food, so it’s essential to find food-graded products and tested silicone manufacturers. You can also test at home for the presence of any chemical fillers. By pinching and twisting your silicone products you can find out whether or not they contain fillers other than oxygen and carbon. If they show any white marks, they likely have some fillers in.
Silicone cooking tools for DIY bath and body projects
Baking is undoubtedly a fun, relaxing and rewarding activity when your cakes and muffins come as you wish (not burnt as I would normally do), but if you aren’t sure whether or not your silicone moulds and trays are your cup of tea in the kitchen, then you can use them for something else: DIY bath and beauty products, and even perfumed wax. Silicone flexibility will help you to remove your creations from the moulds with ease while keeping the original shape. In terms of shapes, baking silicone moulds are an endless source of inspiration for your beautiful bath and body products!
DIY bath and body projects and recipes with silicone moulds
I selected three easy recipes from the web you can try at home for yourself, party favours and little gifts. I bet you’ll have fun and find a new hobby…
DIY bath bomb, a basic recipe
Bath bombs are fun but can be quite expensive for a single use. Why not make yours with household ingredients and some food colouring? Here is how to do 4 half-balls.
Ingredients:
- 100 g baking soda
- 50 g citric acid
- 25 g cornflour
- 2 tbsp oil (sunflower, coconut or olive oil)
- ¼ tsp essential oil
- a few drops of liquid food colouring.
Optional:
- 25 g Epsom salt
- natural decorations (citrus fruits peel, lavender or rose petals).
Tools:
- a mixing bowl
- a small bowl
- a whisk
- silicone moulds.
How to:
- Put baking soda, citric acid and cornflour (optional Epsom salt) in a bowl and whisk them together to even the mixture.
- Pour oil, essential oil(s) and food colouring into a smaller bowl, and mix the liquid evenly.
- Add slowly the liquid mixture into the dry mix little by little while keep whisking.
- Add a few drops of water and whisk again. Note, mix quickly because it will fizz.
- Add your decoration at the bottom of the mould, and start packing the mixture tightly on top (it shouldn’t feel wet).
- Press it down well.
- Let your bath bombs sit in the mould to dry for 2-4 hours.
- Then remove them carefully. Drop one straight away in your bath and enjoy it or store them in a container, in a dry and cool place.
DIY bath melts, a basic recipe
You can have an extra fragrant bath with the benefits of moisturising oils with a DIY bath melt. Here’s what you’ll need and how to get started.
Ingredients:
- 70 g shea butter
- 35 g coconut oil
- 15 drops of your favourite essential oil.
Optional:
- dried flowers.
Tools:
- a saucepan
- a heat-proof jug
- a whisk or a stick to stir
- silicone moulds.
How to:
- Place your butter and oil in a heat-proof jug or beaker, and melt them with the bain-marie technique (a saucepan filled with water in which you place the jug when the water has come to boil).
- Once boiling, turn the heat down to a simmer and place the jug/beaker into the water carefully to avoid spilling.
- Allow the ingredients to melt for 10-15 minutes, or until everything looks completely melted.
- Add your favourite essential oil a minute after the ingredients have melted to preserve the scent and properties of your oil as much as possible.
- If you want to add some natural decorations, place them at the bottom of your moulds, then pour your oily mixture gently.
- Give a little put so that your mix gets evenly distributed.
- When the mould is slightly colder, put it in the fridge and leave it for 1 hour.
- Once nicely set and firm, remove your bath melts quickly without handling them too much. Pop one in your bath or store them in a container in a dry and cool place, away from any source of heat and light.
DIY lotion bar, a basic recipe
Keep your skin moisturised with a lotion… bar. This recipe has a 1-1-1 ratio which makes it easy to customise as you wish!
Ingredients:
- 1 part beeswax
- 1 part cocoa butter
- 1 part coconut oil.
Optional:
- drops of essential oil of your choice.
Tools:
- a saucepan
- a heat-proof jug
- a wick or a stick to stir
- silicone moulds.
How to:
- Place all ingredients in a heat-proof jug or beaker, and melt them with the bain-marie technique as seen above.
- Stir to mix evenly.
- Once melted, remove the jug from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Add your favourite oil when the mixture is slightly colder and stir to distribute it.
- Pour your mix into your moulds and place in the freezer to cool for 30 minutes.
- Take the mould from the freezer and pop your lotion bars out without handling them too much.
- Store them in a container in a dry and cool place, away from any source of heat and light.
How to keep your silicone tools last longer
Many people prefer silicone to plastic for its durability but you can certainly do more to preserve its properties, shape and safety. If unsure, contact your silicone products manufacturer for additional care tips, in the meantime, after your beauty DIY projects:
- wash your silicone trays and moulds by hand;
- avoid the dishwasher to save time, as the high temperatures can make the silicone look cloudy or thicker;
- dry your silicone tools before storing them to avoid stickiness;
- store them in a dry place, away from direct sunlight.
Now you know how a bit of everything from basic chemistry to how to take care of your silicone tools, with some fragrant DIY beauty projects with easy recipes to find an alternative and creative use for them!
Valentina Chirico aka Valens
About silicone Credits: Ph. Sarah Chai via Pexels Ph. Marta Dzedyshko via Pexels Ph. Yan Krukau via Pexels
