lye
Burns organic matter
Lye is a strongly alkaline solution, traditionally made by leaching water through wood ash.
The term now usually refers to sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide—caustic substances used in soapmaking, drain cleaners, and food preparation.
Lye is corrosive and can cause severe chemical burns: Keep lye away from children.
Alkali-processed dried kernels
- lutefiskLye-preserved dried whitefish
- pretzelsTwisted baked snack food
- bagelsDense ring-shaped rolls
- ramenJapanese noodle soup
peeling · olives · curing · masa · tortillas · corn · hulling · softening
Destroys by chemical action
- burnDamage by heat
- hazardousLikely to cause injury
- dangerousApt to cause harm
- causticChemically burning; bitterly mocking
irritant · gloves · goggles · ventilation · skin · eyes · fumes · protective
Eleventh element, highly reactive
- potassiumNineteenth element, symbol K
- hydroxideAlkaline oxygen-hydrogen compound
- alkalineHaving high pH
- pHMeasure of solution acidity
basic · caustic · corrosive · solution · aqueous · neutralize · acid · saponification
Fat-alkali reaction making soap
- fatsOily organic nutrients
- oilsViscous lipid liquids
- curingRestoring health or preserving
- triglyceridesThree-chained fat molecules
glycerin · trace · molds · emulsification · unmolding · hardening · bars · recipes
Remove fatty substances
- dissolveDisperse into liquid
- unclogRemove an obstruction
- industrialOf factories and production
- heavy-dutyBuilt for hard use
grease · buildup · pipes · stripping · degreaser · soak · scrub · commercial
hominy
Alkali-processed dried kernels
ramen · peeling · olives · curing · masa · tortillas · corn · hulling · softening · browning
corrosive
Destroys by chemical action
caustic · irritant · gloves · goggles · ventilation · skin · eyes · fumes · protective · warning
sodium
Eleventh element, highly reactive
- potassiumNineteenth element, symbol K
- hydroxideAlkaline oxygen-hydrogen compound
- alkalineHaving high pH
pH · basic · caustic · corrosive · solution · aqueous · neutralize · acid · saponification · titration
saponification
Fat-alkali reaction making soap
triglycerides · glycerin · trace · molds · emulsification · unmolding · hardening · bars · recipes · measurements
degrease
Remove fatty substances
- dissolveDisperse into liquid
- unclogRemove an obstruction
- industrialOf factories and production
heavy-duty · grease · buildup · pipes · stripping · degreaser · soak · scrub · commercial · janitorial
potash
Alkaline fertilizer compound
homestead · bucking · hides · tanning · buckskin · settler · handmade · old-fashioned · hardwood · barrel
- Lab Chemicalssodium hydroxide, acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, potassium chloride, sodium chloride
- Causticscaustic soda, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, silver nitrate, electrocautery
- Metal Chemicalsetchant, flux, pickle, brightener, activator
- chemicalschemicals, compounds, acids, reagents, solutions
- cleanerscleaner, cleaners, maids, maid, detergent
- Hair Carehair dryer, hair brush, hairbrush, shampoo, hair clips
lyeacid
Low-pH chemical compound
hydrochloric acid · sulfuric acid · vinegar · citric acid · acetic acid
lyewater
Clear essential liquid
buffer solution · distilled water · saline · stable compound
- lye soapAlkali-based cleansing bar