What Is Caustic Soda in Cleaning Products?
Last Updated Mar 26, 2020 8:57:44 PM ET
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.
More From Reference
Will 5G Impact Our Cell Phone Plans (or Our Health?!)
The Secret Science of Solving Crossword Puzzles
Racist Phrases to Remove From Your Mental Lexicon
Is the Coronavirus Crisis Increasing America's Drug Overdoses?
Fact Check: What Power Does the President Really Have Over State Governors?
Festival of Sacrifice: The Past and Present of the Islamic Holiday of Eid al-Adha