Does lye eat through metal?

Lye will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron and steel. It should be stored and mixed in ceramic, stoneware, glass or heat-resistant plastic containers.

Does lye hurt glass?

Sodium hydroxide is perfectly capable of dissolving your skin in addition to glass. Also, it reacts with other chemicals, so you have to be certain you perform this project in a steel or iron container.

How do you neutralize lye on metal?

Immediately after removing the pan from the rinse water it’s important to neutralize any lye remaining on the pan. In a separate container, mix a solution of one part distilled vinegar and one part water. Again, make sure the pan is completely submerged in the solution and soak it for 30 minutes.

Can you clean with lye?

Lye can be dangerously corrosive when mixed with water: But the two make an effective cleaning agent when carefully combined. The many uses of lye water include cleaning cast-iron cookware and bleaching wood for refinishing. Lye water is also sold premixed and concentrated.

How do you neutralize lye drain cleaner?

Pour white vinegar or lemon juice on the affected area to neutralize the Drano. Use enough to saturate the area and let it sit for about five minutes. Vinegar and lemon juice neutralize odors and will prevent any remaining traces of the Drano from eating through the affected surface.

What happens if you swallow lye?

Lye water (sometimes called ‘Lime Water’) is a strong (caustic) liquid that is safe to use in very small amounts in cooking, but it can be dangerous if lye water is swallowed undiluted straight from the bottle. It can cause severe corrosive burns to the throat, oesophagus and stomach with permanent damage if swallowed.

How can I use lye safely?

Making Soap with Lye: 7 Must-Know Safety Rules

1. Use Only 100\% Lye.
2. Wear Gloves and Protective Goggles.
3. Always Pour Lye Into Water, NEVER the Other Way Around.
4. Don’t Use Aluminum Pots or Utensils.
5. Use Heat-Safe Plastic Containers for the Lye Water Mixture (Not Glass)
6. Use Cold Water.
7. Set Your Lye Water Container in the Sink.

Can lye burn your lungs?

Ingestion causes immediate burning of the mouth and throat, breathing difficulty, drooling, difficulty swallowing, stomach pain and vomiting (there may be blood in the vomit. In serious cases there may be damage to heart, lungs, kidneys and blood. Dilute solutions may not be corrosive to the skin but can be irritating.

Can lye make you sick?

Swallowing sodium hydroxide may cause severe burns in the mouth, throat and stomach. Severe scarring of tissue and death may result. Symptoms of eating or drinking sodium hydroxide may include bleeding, throwing up or diarrhea. A drop in blood pressure may also occur.