As you may have recognized sodium hydroxide is among the most useful chemicals in industry and it is being used for its chemical properties. It is found usually in cleaning liquids. So, you might check your domestic drain cleaners for this substance. Authorities warn people about the hazards of this product but accidents are just effects of improper use of any substance.
It is also known as lye or caustic soda and its among the most powerful solutions. However, in a lot of home cleaning products, it is present in dilute amounts. The chemical is easily bought in stores and is found in stain removing agents, dish washing liquids, oven cleaners and grease strippers. The chemical is also being used in purification of drinking water as it has the capacity to separate heavy metal ions in the potable water. In strong liquid mixtures, its presence allows elimination of grease, mildew as well as stubborn dirt.
In its original shape, care must be observed when mixing sodium hydroxide with water. Powerful acids, such as hydrochloric acid, can be mixed with water to create a heat-evolving mixture. Hence, it is not a great idea to pour water into concentrated lye or onto pellets of caustic soda. This will set off a quick build-up of heat that could trigger explosion leading to injury and accidental exposure. The right way is to pour lye into water to prevent excessive increase of heat. Continuous stirring should be made while slowly transferring the liquid into water. Wearing safety eye wear and gloves is a preventive method. Keep in mind that aerosol particulates of alkaline and fumes cause severe irritation and injury. Likewise, the alkaline is not a very environmentally friendly substance so keep near plants and animals. It is not clever to store it near your beautiful garden. It is always a good thing to look for a specialist if you are unsure in processing the chemical. Conducting experiments with it is never a wise move, much less mixing it with other domestic chemicals.