How To Clean Using Caustic Soda?

Maintaining a well-kept home promotes good health, hygiene and a harmonious indoor environment. However, the process requires powerful cleaning products to tackle stubborn stains, caked-on grease and grime from different surfaces. Of course, white vinegar, baking soda and hydrogen oxide can do wonders, but certain stains need more abrasiveness, and that’s where caustic soda comes in. It is also known as sodium hydroxide, a powerful alkaline compound used for multiple cleaning purposes.

It can effectively cut through fat deposits, oil stains, organic matter and buildup grease, making it a versatile household and industrial cleaning agent. Many professionals use the Product for a spotless vacate cleaning Perth service. From degreasing kitchen appliances to unclogging drains, it can do wonders in achieving a clean and sparkling abode.  Ensure you do necessary repairs to pass the rental inspection.

While caustic soda is super effective, it is also a highly corrosive and harmful chemical compound. Unlike natural cleaning products, sodium hydroxide is produced via industrial processes and can lead to potential health hazards if not used properly.

In today’s guide, we’ll explore the right way to use caustic soda for household cleaning. It also includes the best methods to handle the Product carefully, ensuring safety precautions to prevent injuries and other side effects.

Let’s Get Started!

1. Understanding the Properties of Caustic Soda

The chemical compound of caustic soda is NaOH, a highly alkaline, caustic, corrosive and water-soluble product. It appears as a white crystalline solid at room temperature but becomes colourless in water. Since it has a high pH value due to hydrogen ions, you can use it for dislodging dirt, grime and gunk from different surfaces.

Unfortunately, excessive exposure to the chemical can cause eye and skin irritation and thus requires proper safety measures when sprucing up your home. It also reacts vigorously with organic materials and acids, which can be lethal if not handled properly. So, do a patch test before applying caustic soda on any surface to prevent permanent damage, especially when cleaning your rental property.

2. Consider Safety Guidelines

Safety comes first when using corrosive cleaning products in a home. With caution, you can prevent the side effects, greenhouse gas emissions and injuries during the clean-up session. Here are a few safety guidelines to remember:

• Wear Personal Protection Gear: Always wear rubber gloves, long sleeves, goggles and a face mask when using sodium hydroxide.
• Ensure Proper Ventilation: Open doors and windows of the area to prevent inhaling any toxic fumes. This is a crucial step if you or someone in your family has been suffering from pre-existing allergy and asthma symptoms.
• Store the Product Carefully: It is good to store caustic soda in a cool, dark and dry place, away from kids’ and pets’ reach. It should be clearly labelled.

Tip: You can also hire experts for a cheap vacate cleaning Perth to ensure sparkling and hygienic results without any stress. They bring all the necessary supplies to tackle grime and gunk with perfection.

3. Prepare the Cleaning Product: Proper Dilution is Important

When creating a DIY cleaning solution using caustic soda, ensure you pour the most appropriate ratio for better results. Professionals recommend mixing 100 grams of caustic soda with 1 litre of water (cold). Ensure you gently stir the mixture to fully dissolve the white crystal powder in the water.

Do not mix cleaning products with caustic soda, especially acidic or ammonia. It can create toxic fumes or could cause permanent damage to your surface.

4. Unclog the Drain Effectively

Caustic soda can do wonders in clearing clogged drains and pipes due to its highly alkaline properties. Pour a cup of DIY caustic soda solution down the drain and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. It will break down organic matter, gunk and grime from the drain, making it super-easy to clean it. Use a drain snake to get rid of clogged gunk. Next, pour a cup of hot water to flush the soda residue.

People with allergy and asthma symptoms can use the duo of baking soda and vinegar to clean their kitchen and bathroom drains, showers and toilets. However, it is good to keep do’s and don’ts in mind when using vinegar and other cleaning products.

5. Degrease Oven and Grill

Pour the cleaning solution into a spray bottle and apply it over the gunk, caked-on grease, grime and stubborn stains on your oven or grill BBQ. Leave the Product for 10 minutes. The degreasing properties of caustic soda can easily cut through unpleasant stains in no time.

Take a sponge or a non-abrasive scrub brush to gently dislodge gunk. Ensure you clean every nook and cranny (except for heating coils) to achieve spotless results before your final rental inspection.

Tip: You can also soak your greasy oven racks in soda crystals solution. It is also a great cleaning product for household cleaning if used cautiously.

6. Tile and Grout Cleaning

Sodium hydroxide effectively eliminates mould, grime and gunk from tile and grout lines in your bathroom and kitchen. Using a diluted solution and leaving it for 20 minutes is good. Then, scrub the surface with a brush and rinse thoroughly to prevent stains and residue.

Professional vacate cleaners in Perth also recommend using hydrogen peroxide to tackle mould and mildew stains from tiles and grout. It won’t cause dullness to the surface, making it look clean and shiny.

7. Deep Clean Concrete or Brick Surfaces

Remove stubborn stains, grime, grease and other organic matter from your driveway, entryway and other concrete/brick surfaces using caustic soda. Mix it with water or use the diluted solution. Apply it over the affected area and scrub it with a brush. Repeat the process if required and achieve the desired outcomes. A well-kept driveway can boost property’s value in the competitive property market.

8. Remove Stubborn Stains From Fabrics

Gently blot the affected area of your carpet, rug or clothing with a microfiber cloth dampened in caustic soda solution. Allow the Product to break down gunk and grease before you scrub. This step ensures quality results without much elbow grease. Wash and dry the fabric to prevent moisture buildup and damage.

Tip: Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and always wipe off the surface to prevent solution buildup.

Useful Tips to Clean Using Caustic Soda

Wrapping up

Caustic soda is versatile but corrosive at the same time. It is good to use it cautiously to prevent injuries and other health conditions. This magical ingredient can do wonders in maintaining a clean, shiny and beautiful abode all year round.