N
The Daily Insight

What is the ratio of water to lye?

Author

Rachel Newton

Updated on February 19, 2026

What is the ratio of water to lye?

The lye to water ratio of the lye solution is roughly 1 part lye to 2.3 parts water. This is equivalent to roughly 30% lye and 70% water.

Why is lye illegal?

It is also known as lye, although lye may refer to either potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. Pure caustic soda is sold for making candles or soap. Impure caustic soda is found in drain cleaner. Because lye is used to make illegal drugs, it’s harder to buy large quantities than in the past.

What is lye solution used for?

Making of household and industrial products: Lye is used to make commercial and industrial cleaners and clogged drain openers because of its cleaning effects and ability to dissolve grease. Tissue digestion: NaOH or KOH can be used to digest tissues of animal carcasses.

What is the chemical name for lye water?

Sodium hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide

Names
IUPAC name Sodium hydroxide
Other names Caustic soda Lye Ascarite White caustic Sodium hydrate
Identifiers
CAS Number1310-73-2

Is lye safe to eat?

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.

How do you make lye solution?

Instructions

  1. Weigh the Water. To begin, put on your safety goggles and rubber gloves, and make sure your work space has good ventilation.
  2. Weigh the Lye. Place the mason jar on the scale, and zero out the weight.
  3. Add the Lye to the Water.
  4. Stir the Lye and Water Mixture.
  5. Set the Lye Solution in a Safe Place to Cool.

What is a good substitute for lye water?

baking soda
It can be replaced by a homemade version made from two extremely common ingredients – baking soda and water. There are two approaches to making alkaline solution at home: one that uses baking soda and one that uses baked baking soda. However, baked baking soda is recommended for both mooncake and ramen making.

What is lye water?

Lye water is an ingredient used in Asian and African cooking for cooking meat, rice or noodles and vegetables like corn, beans, maize or okra to soften or add flavour or keep vegetables colour. Lye water can also be used in soap making and as a cleaning agent.

What can I substitute for lye water?

It can be replaced by a homemade version made from two extremely common ingredients – baking soda and water. There are two approaches to making alkaline solution at home: one that uses baking soda and one that uses baked baking soda. However, baked baking soda is recommended for both mooncake and ramen making.

What is the ingredients of lye water?

bicarbonate soda (bicarb) sodium carbonate. sodium bicarbonate. lye salt.