answersLogoWhite

0

Lye is one of those "common names" that, particularly when combined with adjectives, might mean a couple of different compounds.

The canonical lye is sodium hydroxide. However, potassium hydroxide has very similar chemical properties, and I've seen terms like "wood lye" that indicate it's actually the potassium compound instead.

"Caustic lye" is a new one on me; both compounds have common names that include the word caustic (caustic soda for sodium hydroxide, caustic potash for potassium hydroxide), so it might be either one.

If it's in a recipe for soap or something, it doesn't really matter all that much; as stated earlier, they have very similar properties and either will work.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?