When lime and soda ash combine in a classic metathesis reaction, they produce lye, or sodium hydroxide. Lye combines the solubility of soda ash with the strong alkalinity of lime. We will need this combination of strength and solubility when we make soap.
Sodium hydroxide is a white, odourless solid at room temperature. It is available in solid form as lumps, pellets or chips and as a solution. It is also commonly known as caustic soda and soda 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.
You can do this by sprinkling powdered lime in the hole, or you can do it the old timey way and use hardwood ashes. I keep a five gallon bucket of lime and a coffee can in my outhouse. After use you just dip up a little lime and sprinkle away.
What can I put in my outhouse to break down waste?
A lot of the bulk that builds up in outhouses comes from toilet paper. If you must add something, choose a product containing bacteria that can break down cellulose, such as EcoEthic's BioSurge. Say no to anything with lye, formaldehyde, quaternary ammonium, colour, fragrance, or a hazard symbol.
The results you get may depend on whether by lime you mean ground limestone, quicklime, or hydrated lime. But in general lime on a corpse primarily hides odors of decomposition. It may actualy slow the rate of decomposition.
Traditionally, lye was made by leaching wood ashes in water, creating an alkaline liquor rich in potassium carbonate or potash. The alkalinity could be increased by adding slaked lime, which would cause the solute to become potassium hydroxide or caustic potash.
Lye. We do not recommend using caustic lye (potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide) based drain openers even though they're frequently rated as “most effective.” Yes, they're great at breaking down organic matter such as hair and they even convert grease into soap!
lye, the alkaline liquor obtained by leaching wood ashes with water, commonly used for washing and in soapmaking; more generally, any strong alkaline solution or solid, such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide (see sodium; potassium).
You see, lye (sodium hydroxide) is formed when wood ash (which is mostly potassium carbonate) is mixed with water. The mixed solution is extremely alkaline and if it comes in contact with your skin, it begins to absorb the oils and turns your skin into soap.
Sodium hydroxide is a very strong chemical. It is also known as lye and caustic soda. This article discusses poisoning from touching, breathing in (inhaling), or swallowing sodium hydroxide.
😋 Lye has a pH of around 13 whereas baking soda has a pH of around 8. This extra alkalinity accelerates the Maillard reaction, allowing that caramelization to develop on the exterior of the pretzels.
Sodium hydroxide is sometimes called caustic soda or lye. It is a common ingrediet in cleaners and soaps. At room temperature, sodium hydroxide is a white, odorless solid. Liquid sodium hydroxide is colorless and has no odor.
One that is reasonably effective is hydrated lime. Associated compounds containing the same chemical are slaked lime, quicklime, hot lime, chloride of lime, and pebbled lime. Approximately one cup of hydrated lime sprinkled over the solids in the pit will minimize odors and aid in decomposition.
The mixture of water and hardwood ash creates lye. The water will filter through the ashes and the holes in the clay pot, and the finished lye will collect in your bottom bucket. Depending on how much lye you want at once, cut the water off after about 5 minutes.
Here's the problem: Chemical drain cleaners, such as caustic cleaners (containing caustic soda or lye), are bad for your pipes and your health. Using one of these chemical cleaners to unclog your drain could cause more harm than good in the long run.
The main active ingredient in Drano is sodium hydroxide, also known as lye. This chemical is a strong base that can break down many materials, including hair, grease, and food particles. When Drano is poured down a clogged drain, it reacts with the water in the pipe to create heat and release gas.
Common dish soap no longer contains high concentrations of lye, so it's entirely safe to use to clean your cast iron cookware. The secret to preventing rust is all in the drying. Do it promptly and thoroughly after washing.
Lye is odorless. It may irritate your nose and eyes and feel like a smell but there is no odor. If you mix it with anything like milk it may have a smell because there is a chemical reaction between the lye and your add on. The vapors dissipate in minutes with proper airflow.
The actual effects of lime on the decomposition of human remains were studied by Schotsmans et al., 2012, Schotsmans et al., 2014a, Schotsmans et al., 2014b based on field and laboratory experiments. The results showed that lime retards the rate of decomposition if present in a burial environment, but does not stop it.
You can use natural odor neutralizers, such as vinegar and baking soda to absorb foul smells. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and can help absorb odors instead of masking them.
Place a layer of lime at the bottom of the hole and on the body. Compress the earth and level the soil. If you ever sell your property, it is important to notify future buyers of the presence of any animals that may be buried on the land.
