Lye is a caustic, poisonous chemical that must be dealt with according to federal, state, and local ordinances. While lye is a useful home item, it can also be highly hazardous. If lye, also called soda ash or sodium hydroxide, is administered poorly, this can result to burn, eyesight, or other catastrophic problems. If ingested, it can be severe.

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If you use lye in your house, whether to make soap or to clean drains, you must be aware of its caustic nature at all times. It’s crucial that you treat this with care and safely dispose of any remaining caustic.

1. Check with your local hazardous waste collection agency for disposal instructions particular to your location. Lye is categorized as toxic waste and must be treated according to federal, state, and local legislation.

2. Do not pour lye down the drain, down a toilet, into a storm sewer, on the ground, or into your trashcan to be thrown out with your regular garbage.

3. When working with caustic soda use all personal protective equipment.

4. Never pour water into lye, as this might result in a dangerous reaction. The presence of water in lye induces a chemical reaction that produces heat that can reach flammable and even explosive levels. Do not use water to wash the lye down the sink.

5. When working with lye, exercise extreme caution. Allowing it to spill or splash is not a good idea.

6. Keep lye out of the reach of children and animals. This includes lye disposal: Never dispose of lye in a location where it could be accessed by children, animals, or unwary adults.

7. Empty the unwanted lye into a stainless steel container for disposal. Make absolutely sure the container’s top is firmly attached. Lye can corrode every container made from plastic, ductile iron, iron, or metal, then do not preserve or dispose of it in these materials.

8. Do not put anything else in the container where you were storing the lye other than lye.

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