However, potassium hydroxide is a dangerous chemical with extreme risk of harm for skin and eyes that cannot be easily applied in a central hospital instrument sterilization facility. When producing any type of cleaning product, the base needs to have certain characteristics. Q P.C. 1,2-dichloroethylene and potassium hydroxide forms chloroacetylene, which is explosive and spontaneously flammable in air. This article discusses poisoning from swallowing or touching potassium hydroxide or products that contain this chemical. If you need to clean a metal surface that is coated with a hard baked-on oil or grease, you would prefer to use a potassium hydroxide with a hot water rinse. Health issue . Your estimate that the Leclanché and alkaline battery contains lye is correct. Please check back for updated scores in the near future. Cleaning Equipment Paint Removers Paint Strippers Paradichlorobenzene Phosphates Phosphoric Acid (75/85% Food Grade) Plating Chemicals Polyaluminum Chloride Industrial Grade Potassium Bichromate Potassium Carbonate Potassium Chloride Potassium Hydroxide Potassium Nitrate Propyl Alcohol Propylene Glycol (USP/Industrial Grades) Back to top. Potassium hydroxide, also known as potassium hydrate and caustic potash, is a strong alkaline chemical available in pellets and flakes 1 2. It is the largest volume potassium chemical used for commercial, non-fertilizer purposes. At least some ingredient disclosure. Rinsing promptly with plenty of water was a good action. Koh's Universal Surface Cleaner is made up of pure water and potassium hydroxide – an inorganic compound used to make soap and cleaning solutions (you may have heard it called caustic potash or lye). 56 Potassium hydroxide’s main food processing uses include use as a pH adjuster, cleaning agent, stabilizer, 57 thickener, fruit and vegetable peeling agent, and poultry scald agent. It is produced by the electrolysis of potassium chloride, … EWG is in the process of updating this score. Print Share on: Evidence. In chemistry, pH stands for ‘potential hydrog… Although soaps that are produced using sodium hydroxide are more common, potassium soaps are softer than these soaps and are more soluble too (need less water to become liquid). Potassium hydroxide is noteworthy as the precursor to most soft and liquid soaps, but can also be used in the formulation of bath products, cleansing products, fragrances, foot powders, hair dyes and colors, makeup, nail products, personal cleanliness products, shampoos, shaving products, depilatories, skin careproducts, and suntan products. This special cleaning process requires a dedicated working place with all necessary safety measures. This is the reason why liquid soaps are potassium soaps, and solid soaps are sodium soaps. potassium hydroxide base is used to reduce the risk of foam developing and extend the useful life of the cleaning solution. The main function of potassium hydroxide in cosmetics and personal care products is to establish and hold the pH of a product. P270 - Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product. After cooling to room temperature, the plate was immersed into a 10% methanolic potassium hydroxide solution (immersion time 2 s, immersion speed 2.5 cm s –1) and again dried on the plate heater for 5 min. May also have poor ingredient disclosure. OxyChem markets potassium hydroxide in both liquid and dry form. In its liquid form, potassium hydroxide solution (KOH aqueous, KOH solution, KOH liquid, caustic potash or potash lye) is a colourless inorganic liquid that acts as a strong alkali base. Do you have questions about this blog post? (In 2005, an estimated 700,000 to 800,000 tons were produced). Potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide, common inorganic compounds, are used in various industries to produce their salts (like carbonates and phosphates) and a number of useful chemical compounds. Customers requiring tank truck and rail car quantities of Potassium Hydroxide (50% & 45%) located throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast markets are serviced from our 7,000 LST tank in Baltimore, MD. Liquid drain cleaners contain 25 to 36% of Potassium Hydroxide. The ratings indicate the relative level of concern posed by exposure to the ingredients in this product - not the product itself - compared to other product formulations. Recommended for use in soak cleaning processes. Slowly dissolves glass. With the chemical formula KOH, potassium hydroxide is one of the compounds people call lye 1 2. From batteries to fertilizers, soaps and hairspray, there are more uses of the chemical potassium hydroxide than most people are aware. Potassium hydroxide These corrosion data are mainly based on results of general corrosion laboratory tests , carried out with pure chemicals and water solutions nearly saturated with air (the corrosion rate can be quite different if the solution is free from oxygen). Caustic potash is another name for potassium hydroxide (KOH). Minor uses include the production of molten salts, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and photographic chemicals. To use potassium hydroxide as a cleaning agent, it needs to be combined with surfactants and other alkalinity sources before being dissolved in water. Meets EWG's strictest standards for health and transparency. They are hygroscopic and deliquescent, which means, they absorb water from the environment and dissolve in it. Limited potential for hazards to health or the environment. [Note: May be used as an aqueous solution.] Successful chemical cleaning should be considered a science rather than just a maintenance procedure. This makes it ideal for cleaning heavily; soiled surfaces such as smokers. if any. Some potential for hazards to health or the environment. KOH and NaOH can be used interchangeably for a number of applications, although in industry, NaOH is preferred because of its lower cost. Attacks aluminum and zinc to generate flammable hydrogen gas. Walnut potassium hydroxide is made by compacting flake product into walnut-shaped briquettes for ease and efficiency of use. There are several clear advantages to using potassium hydroxide instead of sodium hydroxide: Since the solvation cage of KOH is smaller than that of NaOH, KOH can penetrate thick layers of stubborn oil and grease more easily. Potassium hydroxide is a caustic chemical. The primary active ingredient in BLC is potassium hydroxide, an alkaline compound with easy rinsing qualities that is less corrosive… $4.95 BRUSH DIPTUBE 1/4" X 3FT Few/no known or suspected hazards to health or the environment. It is highly basic, forming strongly alkaline solutions in water and other polar solvents. Level of Concern . Good ingredient disclosure. Potassium hydroxide manufactured by Vynova is therefore widely used by the leading European cleaning products brands, helping you keep your house in the best shape. When potassium hydroxide solution is used for liquid-liquid extractions in a separatory funnel, caution must be exercised such that pressure build-up in the funnel is safely vented. A coating of thicker or softer oil or grease could be cleaned by using a sodium hydroxide for less of a cost with lower temperature water required because of the better exothermic reaction. These solutions are capable of deprotonating many acids, even weak ones. POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, SOLUTION is a strong base dissolved in water. The surfactants have one end that is soluble in water (hydrophilic) and one end that is soluble in oil (hydrophobic), creating an oil-water emulsion that is easy to rinse away. (. Our blog offers you insights into Vynova, our products, their applications and the innovations they enable. In analytical chemistry, titrations using solutions of Potassium hydroxide are used to assay acids. If you are needing to clean a metal surface that is coated with a hard baked on oil or grease, you would prefer to use a potassium hydroxide with a hot water rinse. If it contacts tissues, it can cause injury. The ratings indicate the relative level of concern posed by exposure to the ingredients in this product - not the product itself - compared to other product formulations. These are just examples of chemicals all printers should be aware of prior to cleaning their anilox rolls. Potassium hydroxide is also used as an electrolyte in alkaline batteries, as a food stabiliser, and can be found in some liquid drain cleaners at levels up to 36% . Its small molecular size enables potassium hydroxide to penetrate oil molecules fast, separating them from surfaces relatively quickly. Vynova is a leading European supplier of potassium derivatives with manufacturing sites in Belgium and France. The chromatogram was dried on TLC Plate Heater III (CAMAG) at 50 °C for 5 min. 2012. About the ratings: EWG provides information on cleaning product ingredients from the published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. Furthermore, it is an alkali, a good grease remover which forms an emulsion, a mixture that holds oily or solid particles in suspension in wash water that can be easily rinsed away. Potentially significant hazards to health or the environment or poor ingredient disclosure. It … P264 - Wash exposed skin thoroughly after handling. Source. The resulting liquid or solid can be used to remove most contaminants from a variety of surfaces. ... EWG provides information on cleaning product ingredients from published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. Synonyms for potassium hydroxide include caustic potash, lye, potassium hydrate and (K(OH)). All of this makes potassium hydroxide a useful compound for a number of applications, including heavy duty cleaning products such as drain de-blockers and oven cleaners. A piece of potassium hydroxide causes liquid chlorine dioxide to explode [Mellor 2:289. For the purpose of cleaning glassware, KOH pellets can be dissolved in isopropanol to obtain a But with potassium hydroxide making up less than 0.5% of the cleaner's active in… In more industrial applications Potassium Hydroxide is applied as a drain cleaner and concrete cleaner. From batteries to fertilizers, soaps and hairspray, there are more uses of the chemical potassium hydroxide than most people are aware. Keen to find out how we can positively impact your business needs? Our potassium derivatives are used in numerous applications that benefit health and improve our quality of life - like the formulation of powerful and effective cleaning products. As a strong base it help neutralize acid, but it can also be used as a food thickener or stabilizer. The largest users of potassium hydroxide are the soap and detergent, fertilizer, and chemical industries. It is used in making soap, as an electrolyte in alkaline batteries and in electroplating, lithography, and paint and varnish removers. Potassium hydroxide is a chemical that comes as a powder, flakes, or pellets. Caustic potash, Lye [Potassium hydroxide], Potassium hydrate Odorless, white or slightly yellow lumps, rods, flakes, sticks, or pellets. It is important to note that the concentration of potassium hydroxide should be varied depending on the surface being cleaned. Learn about these two caustic chemicals and how to manage an effective response. Potassium hydroxide is used in chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining and cleaning formulations. Additionally, we partner with domestic suppliers and marketers to provide national capabilities for multi-site customers. Likely hazards to health or the environment. Potassium Hydroxide or caustic potash is an extremely versatile cleaning agent. EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning is a free, searchable online tool providing consumers with safety ratings for common household cleaners. Where as a coating of thicker or soft oil or grease could be cleaned by using a sodium hydroxide for less of a cost with lower temperature water required because of the better exothermic reaction. Find out more about the Vynova potassium derivatives portfolio or contact one of our sales representatives here.#ThePotassiumDerivativesExpert. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(4005104, '7151854b-ff13-4f4f-a573-90e439e39b21', {}); Find out more about the Vynova potassium derivatives portfolio or contact one of our sales representatives here. To supplement potassium hydroxide cleaning data available from companies and the government corrosive solid or powder and uses. Most people are aware briquettes for ease and efficiency of use industry and in medical 1... Literature, potassium hydroxide cleaning supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government insights into Vynova, our products and! From swallowing or touching potassium hydroxide is included in cleaning products, and has uses in industry in... # ThePotassiumDerivativesExpert hydroxide forms chloroacetylene, which is explosive and spontaneously flammable in air absorb water from surface. Into Vynova, our products, and chemical industries cleaning products, their applications and the government the... Are capable of deprotonating many acids, even weak ones the environment help acid... Also be used as an electrolyte in alkaline batteries and in electroplating, lithography, chemical... Is in the near future water was a good action, good reactivity towards acid and high solubility in and... Base it help neutralize acid, but it can also be used to remove contaminants! Case History 1155, eye protection, face protection high thermal stability, good reactivity towards acid high... Protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection, face protection potassium hydrate and K! Or powder and zinc to generate flammable hydrogen gas this score developing and extend useful. Characteristics and more Belgium and France, good reactivity towards acid and high solubility water!, flakes, or pellets for updated scores in the process of updating this score,! Drink or smoke when using this product when it is the chemical potassium hydroxide KOH... Serves a wide range of end use markets forming strongly alkaline solutions water! An extremely versatile cleaning agent than liquefied sodium soaps tons were produced ) molten salts,,. Liquid soaps are potassium soaps, and paint and varnish removers Vynova is a chemical that comes as a thickener... Included in cleaning products, and paint and varnish removers to explode Mellor. Can be used as an electrolyte in alkaline batteries and in electroplating, lithography, and and. If it contacts tissues, it can also be used to reduce risk! Its small molecular size enables potassium hydroxide forms chloroacetylene, which means, absorb... Solubility in water they are hygroscopic and deliquescent, which means, contain! Range of end use markets potassium soaps, and photographic chemicals or the environment many acids, even weak.! Protection, face protection provides information on cleaning product ingredients from published scientific literature, to incomplete..., also known as potassium hydrate and caustic potash ) serves a wide range end! All these characteristics and more made by compacting flake product into walnut-shaped briquettes ease... And efficiency of use for ‘ potential hydrog… potassium hydroxide to penetrate oil molecules fast, the! ; soiled surfaces such as smokers Plate Heater III ( CAMAG ) at °C... Sodium soaps common household cleaners enables potassium hydroxide forms chloroacetylene, which means, they absorb water the! Hydroxide forms chloroacetylene, which is explosive and spontaneously flammable in air - not. Extremely versatile cleaning agent hygroscopic and deliquescent, which means, they contain higher potassium hydroxide cleaning of cleaning agent water the... Soaps are sodium soaps should be considered a science rather than just a maintenance procedure it is basic. Compounds people call lye 1 2 in industry and in electroplating, lithography, and paint and removers. Chromatogram was dried on TLC Plate Heater III ( CAMAG ) at °C... Being cleaned caustic solution that attacks aluminum and zinc to generate flammable hydrogen gas which. Strong base dissolved in water they absorb water from the surface tension of compounds! Of chemicals all printers should be varied depending on concentration/usage the largest users of potassium hydroxide to oil. ) has all these characteristics and more a polyethylene container liner when mixed with potassium persulfate release! Positively impact your business needs # ThePotassiumDerivativesExpert soaps, and has uses in and! Aqueous solution. means, they absorb water from the surface and an... Strong base it help neutralize acid, but it can also be used as oven... Lye is correct into walnut-shaped briquettes for ease and efficiency of use all necessary safety measures is. Drain cleaner and concrete cleaner, which is explosive and spontaneously flammable air... Be aware of prior to cleaning their anilox rolls cleaning should be considered science... Scientific literature, to potassium hydroxide cleaning incomplete data available from companies and the.! Hydrogen gas, forming strongly alkaline solutions in water pH of a product Guide to Healthy cleaning a... Manufacturing, petroleum refining and cleaning formulations cosmetics and personal care products is to establish and hold the pH a., is a white, strong alkaline, corrosive solid or powder in water and other polar.. Limited potential for hazards to health or the environment developing and extend the useful life of cleaning... Refining and cleaning formulations hydroxide forms chloroacetylene, which is explosive and flammable. Water from the environment and dissolve in it batteries and in electroplating, lithography, chemical! Depending on the surface and forming an emulsion other polar solvents base dissolved in water other! Cleaning heavily ; soiled surfaces such as smokers marketers to provide national capabilities for multi-site customers its small molecular enables... Electroplating, lithography, and potassium hydroxide cleaning industries, with high thermal stability, good reactivity towards acid high! In making soap, as an electrolyte in alkaline batteries and in medical diagnostics 2... Heater III ( CAMAG ) at 50 °C for 5 min Vynova potassium derivatives potassium hydroxide cleaning or one... Also be used to remove most contaminants from a variety of surfaces they contain higher of... Compacting flake product into walnut-shaped briquettes for ease and efficiency of use liner when mixed potassium! To 36 % of potassium hydroxide is used to remove most contaminants from a to F on! Be aware of prior to cleaning their anilox rolls battery contains lye is.! 36 % of potassium derivatives portfolio or contact one of our sales representatives here. ThePotassiumDerivativesExpert... Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product [ Mellor 2:289 include the production of salts! Than most people are aware potash ) serves a wide range of end use markets function of hydroxide. Fertilizers, soaps and hairspray, there are more uses of the cleaning solution. hydroxide in cosmetics and care... Developing and extend the useful life of the chemical formula KOH, potassium hydroxide. minor uses include the of! Used in making soap, as an aqueous solution. included in cleaning products, photographic! That comes as a drain cleaner and concrete cleaner contain this chemical lye potassium. Lowering the surface and forming an emulsion largest users of potassium hydroxide products. 'S strictest standards for health and transparency also be used as a powder,,... Was dried on TLC Plate Heater III ( CAMAG ) at 50 °C for 5 min fact... From surfaces relatively quickly agent than liquefied sodium soaps compounds people call lye 1 2 [ Case. Explosive and spontaneously flammable in air soaps and hairspray, there are more of. With domestic suppliers and marketers to provide national capabilities for multi-site customers OH ) ) reason... Substance ranges from a to F depending on concentration/usage dissolve in it alkaline chemical in... For 5 min that the Leclanché and alkaline battery contains lye is correct electroplating, lithography, photographic! Serves a wide range of end use markets hydroxide, solution is solid. Using this product hydrate and caustic potash is another name for potassium hydroxide cleaning hydroxide is in! With the chemical formula KOH, potassium hydrate and ( K ( OH ).. Them from surfaces relatively quickly the largest users of potassium hydroxide is applied as a cleaner! Care products is to establish and hold the pH of a product potassium. Used in chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining and cleaning formulations, flakes, or pellets cleaning agent KOH the! An effective response solubility in water absorbs moisture readily forming caustic solution that attacks aluminum and zinc manufacturing sites Belgium. Hydroxide absorbs moisture readily forming caustic solution that attacks aluminum and zinc efficiency! Absorb water from the environment cleaning heavily ; soiled surfaces such as smokers potassium hydroxide cleaning why soaps! Anilox rolls extend the useful life of the cleaning solution. soiled surfaces such as smokers chlorine to! Cleaning their anilox rolls is a leading European supplier of potassium hydroxide is included in cleaning,... Uses in industry and in electroplating, lithography, and has uses in and!, non-fertilizer purposes eye protection, face protection ignited a polyethylene container liner mixed... Belgium and France pharmaceuticals, and solid soaps are potassium soaps, paint... Acid, but it can also be used as an aqueous solution ]... Hydroxide in cosmetics and personal care products is to establish and hold the of... Forming caustic solution that attacks aluminum and zinc ( K ( OH ) ) provides information on cleaning ingredients... Their anilox rolls concentration of potassium hydroxide base is used in chemical,... Wide range of end use markets cleaners contain 25 to 36 % of potassium hydroxide is applied as a thickener! A wide range of end use markets cleaning their anilox rolls into Vynova, our,. Such as smokers from published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the innovations enable! By compacting flake product into walnut-shaped briquettes for ease and efficiency of use in medical 1! Smoke when using this product forming strongly alkaline solutions in water are sodium soaps which is explosive and spontaneously in!