If you hear phrases: caustic soda, caustic, caustic alkali or sodium hydroxide, then know that we are talking about caustic soda. What is this substance? How is it different from regular baking soda? What are its properties, scope? Where is caustic soda usually sold? Let's figure it out.
What is caustic soda and what is its difference from other types of soda
All sodium salts of carbonic acid have one single name - soda, which is of three types:
- food (sodium bicarbonate);
- calcined (sodium carbonate);
- caustic (sodium hydroxide).
Each species has its own composition, properties and formula. If we distribute these sodium compounds by their aggressiveness, baking soda is the safest (its alkaline medium is about 8 PH), soda ash takes silver (alkaline medium is 11 PH), and caustic soda is the most active alkali (13 PH).
Sodium hydroxide is a solid in the form of crystals similar to particles of sea salt (white or yellowish). In nature, caustic soda does not exist. It is exclusively a product of the chemical industry. The substance exists, both in solid and in liquid state. Available in powder or gel form. Caustic soda is a very aggressive alkali. Therefore, it is transported either in special bags or in tanks.
Important! In the process of transporting the substance, it is necessary to exclude heating and moisture in it. The same requirements apply to stores where caustic soda is sold.
Her properties
Caustic Properties:
- dissolving in water, releases a lot of heat and forms a plentiful foam;
- reacts with aluminum, titanium and zinc;
- does not give a reaction with metals having a low electrochemical potential;
- toxic
- volatile;
- It has high hygroscopicity (that is, it actively absorbs water vapor from air).
Important! Shelf life of caustic soda is only 1 year: strictly follow this rule.
Scope of Caustic
Caustic has long been successfully used in agriculture and in many industries:
- Automotive
- petrochemical;
- metallurgical;
- gas;
- chemical;
- food;
- easy.
Caustic soda is a good helper in solving a variety of domestic problems, as it copes with various pollution and blockages; returns shine to burnt pots. Using it, you can even make homemade soap.
Where is caustic soda sold and what is its price? The cost of 1 kg of this substance is about 20 rubles. You can buy it in almost any hardware store.
We clean burnt pots and wash floors
In order for pots and pans to please you with their perfect brilliance, we mix water, caustic soda and laundry soap (we grate it) in a metal container in a ratio of 5: 1: 1. We treat the surfaces with the prepared mass and leave them alone for 20-30 minutes, then thoroughly rinse with running water.
Important! Teflon and aluminum products must not be cleaned in this way.
To remove all impurities that have appeared on the floor, add 3-4 tablespoons of caustic soda to a bucket of water and treat the surface with this solution. Then I wash the floor with clean water and wipe it dry.
So that cleaning is not a burden for you and takes place quickly, it is enough to walk to the nearest outlet where caustic soda is sold and purchase it in the right amount.
Remove greasy stains from clothes
To remove stained clothing stains, we suggest using the following recommendations. Pour 2-3 teaspoons of caustic soda with the powder into the washing machine (the washing temperature can be any). If you wash your clothes by hand, it is also possible to use caustic soda to make the laundry clean and fresh. Just pour soda along with the powder into water and leave things in it for a while (in case of severe pollution: for 2 hours), then wash in the usual way.
Important! First: in the case of hand washing, be sure to wear rubber gloves. Second: when purchasing a substance in a hardware store (where caustic soda is sold), make sure that the product is of high quality (to avoid causing harm to health).
We clean sewer pipes
There are several effective ways to clean the sewer pipes yourself:
- First. We pour 150-200 g of caustic alkali into the drain and pour one glass of boiling water there. After 10 minutes, pour another 2.5 liters of boiling water. Over the next 1-1.5 hours, do not touch the drain. Next, we wash the pipes with hot water for 20-30 minutes.
On a note! For preventive purposes, such cleaning is recommended to be done once a month.
- Second. We mix table vinegar with soda and pour this mixture into a clogged pipe. Close the drain tightly with a stopper. After 2 hours, pour boiling water, wait again, and then turn on running water.
Important! In the process of these manipulations, a very violent reaction occurs, which is accompanied by the release of foam. Be careful.
If you don’t have the opportunity or desire to spend time going to the store or don’t know the address where soda (caustic) is sold, you can order it online on the Internet.
Advice! Beware of fakes and strictly follow the instructions for use.
Sodium hydroxide is used not only to combat blockages and accumulations of protein compounds in the sewer. Very often, such a substance is introduced into the pipes at the end of their acid treatment in order to protect them from corrosion and further destruction. By the way, this is a good idea for small businesses (on a paid basis to organize assistance to citizens in bringing sewer pipes back to normal). Soda can be delivered from bases where caustic soda is sold at retail and in bulk.
Caution on working with caustic soda
Caustic soda is not in vain called caustic alkali. After all, it corrodes not only skin, paper, but also other organics. Therefore, when using this substance, it is necessary to adhere to certain recommendations:
Work exclusively in a bathrobe, glasses, and rubber gloves that extend to the elbows.
- After preparing the solution with caustic soda, it is necessary to wait a while and only then proceed to work.
- Try to avoid spraying the mixture (if a caustic gets on your skin, a chemical burn will form).
- In case of contact with the skin, quickly wash the affected areas under running water, then wipe with 2% boric acid (if no improvement is observed within 30 minutes, then consult a doctor).
- Caustic must be stored in an iron or glass container with a tight lid. You can buy them where caustic soda is sold.
- Exclude the possibility of free access to the caustic.
If all safety precautions are followed, then caustic soda will be a great help for you at home.