What Is Caustic Soda in Cleaning Products?

By Staff WriterLast Updated December 10, 2023

Caustic soda is a strong base made via the electrolysis of salt water and used in detergents, drain cleaners and other products. Caustic soda is also known as sodium hydroxide, and its chemical formula is NaOH.

Caustic soda dissolves fats, grease, oil and protein well and is used diluted in water as an industrial cleaning agent. It is used to clean outflow pipes in sinks and drains, as a degreaser on glass and stainless steel, and as an ingredient in oven cleaning products. In the form of a thick gel or dry crystal, caustic soda is used to unclog drains; its chemical properties are able to hydrolyze the proteins of hair to help with unclogging.