{"id":14,"date":"2026-03-16T18:52:49","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T17:52:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.7virides.com\/cs\/uvod\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T11:19:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T10:19:47","slug":"uvod","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.7virides.com\/en\/mydlo\/uvod\/","title":{"rendered":"Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"
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TL;DR:<\/strong> Starting with soap making? This section guides you through the basics of cold process \u2014 from understanding saponification to lye safety, your first recipe and equipment list. Starting from scratch, spend 30 minutes reading and you're ready to make soap.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Cold process soap making starts with one step: understanding what happens during saponification. Sodium hydroxide reacts with plant oils to form soap salts and glycerin \u2014 simple chemistry that works reliably in a home workshop with proper conditions and safety precautions.<\/p>\n

This section covers everything you need for your first successful batch of soap.<\/p>\n

Guides in the Basics section<\/h2>\n

What is cold process and how does it work?<\/h3>\n

Pillar page<\/a> vysv\u011btluje saponifikaci p\u0159\u00edstupnou formou: co se d\u011bje na molekul\u00e1rn\u00ed \u00farovni, kdy nast\u00e1v\u00e1 trace, pro\u010d m\u00fddlo pot\u0159ebuje 4\u20136 t\u00fddn\u016f zr\u00e1n\u00ed a jak\u00fd je rozd\u00edl mezi cold process, hot process a Melt & Pour. D\u00e9lka: komplexn\u00ed pr\u016fvodce.<\/p>\n

Key terms:<\/strong> saponification, trace, gel phase, curing, superfat<\/p>\n

Your first recipe \u2014 step by step<\/h3>\n

The simplest three-oil recipe (coconut + olive + sunflower oil) with maximum detail for every step. Choose Your first recipe<\/a> \u2014 no fragrance, no colorant, just pure soap making. Ideal for verifying the process before more complex recipes.<\/p>\n

Contents:<\/strong> equipment list, gram measurements, SoapCalc calculation, step-by-step instructions, what to expect during curing<\/p>\n

Safe work with NaOH lye<\/h3>\n

Sodium hydroxide is the riskiest component of the process. This safety page<\/a> covers everything: proper PPE, dilution procedure (always lye into water), first aid for burns, storage and disposal. Essential reading before your first batch.<\/p>\n

Key point:<\/strong> lye into water, never water into lye \u2014 exothermic reaction<\/p>\n

Equipment for soap making \u2014 where to buy<\/h3>\n

What is the bare minimum (digital scale, stick blender, silicone mold, thermometer, PPE), what is useful and what is unnecessary to start? Complete shopping equipment guide<\/a> also includes approximate costs and where to buy.<\/p>\n

Approximate start-up costs:<\/strong> CZK 1,500\u20133,000 for complete basic equipment<\/p>\n

FAQ for beginners \u2014 20+ most common questions<\/h3>\n

Compact answers to questions every beginning soap maker asks: Is soap making dangerous? How much does it cost to start? Where to get lye? Why did my soap go soft? What is trace? Each answer with a link to a more detailed guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How to proceed: recommended path for beginners<\/h2>\n

Step 1:<\/strong> Read What is cold process<\/a> \u2014 15 minutes of reading that saves hours of mistakes.<\/p>\n

Step 2:<\/strong> Study Lye safety<\/a> and get PPE before buying ingredients.<\/p>\n

Step 3:<\/strong> Check the equipment list<\/a> and get what's missing.<\/p>\n

Step 4:<\/strong> Try the first recipe<\/a> \u2014 500 g of oils, simple procedure, no surprises.<\/p>\n

Step 5:<\/strong> Once the first batch is curing, explore recepty<\/a> for next steps.<\/p>\n

Basic cold process terms<\/h2>\n

Saponification:<\/strong> Chemical reaction between fats\/oils and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) that creates soap salts (stearates, palmitates...) and glycerin.<\/p>\n

Trace:<\/strong> The point when the soap mixture thickens to the consistency of light pudding. Signals emulsification \u2014 fragrances, colorants and additives can be added and poured into the mold.<\/p>\n

Superfat (SF):<\/strong> Intentionally reducing the amount of lye by 5\u20138% so some oils remain unsaponified \u2014 conditioning effect on the skin.<\/p>\n

Gel phase:<\/strong> Phase when soap in the mold transitions to transparent gel and back \u2014 accelerates saponification and produces deeper colors.<\/p>\n

Curing:<\/strong> 4\u20136 weeks after production when the soap hardens, pH drops and lather stabilizes.<\/p>\n

SAP number:<\/strong> Saponification number \u2014 how many grams of NaOH are needed to saponify 1 gram of a given oil. The basis for recipe calculation.<\/p>\n

Tools for recipe calculation<\/h2>\n

Before making soap you must calculate the exact amount of NaOH for your recipe. Never estimate.<\/p>\n