Sodium hydroxide

Sodium hydroxide is sometimes called caustic soda or lye.  It is used in bar soaps and detergents.

At room temperature, sodium hydroxide is a white, odorless solid.  Liquid sodium hydroxide is colorless and has no odor. It can react violently with strong acids and with water.  Sodium hydroxide is corrosive.  NaOH can react with moisture from the air and may generate heat as it dissolves.  This heat can be enough to cause a fire if it is near flammable materials.

It is used to make soap and as a main ingredient in household products such as liquid drain cleaners to unclog pipes.

Some other uses include fuel cell production, to cure food, to remove skin from vegetables for canning, bleach, drain cleaner, oven cleaner, soaps, detergent, paper making, paper recycling, aluminum ore processing, oxide coating, processing cotton fabric, pickling, and water treatment.