will lye damage cast iron pipes

Lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound (sodium hydroxide), often used as a soap for cleaning purposes. Using one of these chemical cleaners to unclog your drain could cause more harm than good in the long run. The pros of lye are that its effective against sticky clog-smears like what you find in kitchen sinks, as well as thick hair clogs in bathrooms. Its best to use drain cleaners only as a last resort and to contact a plumber if you have a persistent clog. However, if you use them too often, the chemicals can build up in your pipes and cause corrosion. Don't just keep dumping increasing amounts of lye down the drain. If you're wrestling with a clog, grab a plunger before you do anything else. Vinegar will counteract lye and stop its burning. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The chemicals used in liquid drain cleaners are meant to heat up when the in use. Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. Mineral acids (Hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid) Sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide. Lye will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron and steel. Chemicals contained in drain cleaners can be corrosive, but what really causes PVC pipes to melt or soften is the heat produced by the chemical reactions. What does lye do in pipes? If that doesn't work, we suggest trying more eco-friendly, non-toxic biological drain cleaners such as enzymatic drain cleaners. Scientifically known as potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, lye does an excellent job of cutting through organic matter, like hair and other common drain cloggers. If the second treatment doesn't do it, you'll need to call a plumber. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. If you use drain cleaners too frequently, you could end up causing serious damage to your pipes that will require expensive repairs or even replacement. At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. Cast iron rusts, and cast iron drain pipes fail. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. As the amount of rust builds up, it impairs the free flow of water, which can also increase the risk of corrosion. Since lye will not remove rust, the usual protocol when using both lye and electrolysis is to de-crud with lye first, then finish with electroysis to remove rust and any remaining crud. atop.montanapetroleum.org, What Is Lye? If cast iron is underneath a concrete slab, all the concrete will have to be jackhammered in order to expose the pipes . May 30, 2022Will lye damage cast iron pipes? Lye will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron and steel. A plumber can clear away your clog and make sure the rest of your plumbing is in good shape and problem-free. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Lye can corrode aluminum so make . Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker. When the . Flush the drain with cold water. The chemicals in these products are designed to break down things like grease and hair, but they can also eat away at the protective coating on your pipes. Don't leave the iron in the vinegar and water too long at a time because it will pit the iron. Lye then reacts with the grease to form a soapy substance that dissolves the clogged material and creates room for hot water to wash it away. Old cast iron pipes with heavy rust buildup and corrosion will . Read more: How to Clean a Bathroom Sink Drain. By maintaining a central position, the "cyclone" circular chain does not bang against the side of the pipe when in . 30-day Blogging Fast Track Course. If it isn't, leave it to sit or add cold water until it is. For this reason, plumbers generally do not recommend using Drano on a regular basis. While the basics of lye use are generally the same, every manufacturer may have its own special instructions for its product. When you have a clogged drain and youre in need of a quick fix, it might be tempting to turn to a chemical drain cleaner. Silverline 395010 Drain Unblocker 6 m x 6 mm Diameter. Using lye products weekly will clean the plumbing and septic tank. What acid do plumbers use to unclog drains? Commercial Photography: How To Get The Right Shots And Be Successful, Nikon Coolpix P510 Review: Helps You Take Cool Snaps, 15 Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for your Android Marshmallow, Technological Advancements: How Technology Has Changed Our Lives (In A Bad Way), 15 Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for your Android Lollipop, Awe-Inspiring Android Apps Fabulous Five, IM Graphics Plugin Review: You Dont Need A Graphic Designer, 20 Best free fitness apps for Android devices. Lye. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested! Add another tablespoon of lye to the drain if the water still drains slowly as you flush out the lye or if you still have standing water. Compared to spray oven cleaner, a lye bath can be very cost effective in that it can be re-used over and over, and can also clean multiple pans at once. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Furthermore, will Lye damage cast iron pipes? Sodium hydroxide is a highly caustic base and alkali that decomposes proteins at ordinary ambient temperatures and may cause severe chemical burns.It is highly soluble in water, and readily . Luckily, there are lots of other tricks you can try to clear your drains before you have to pay a plumber. If those dont work, you can always call a professional plumber to take care of the problem. The chemical should not react with the surface of the PVC piping, but if used incorrectly at high concentrations, it could eat away at a crack or flaw in the piping, causing it to fail. Will lye melt PVC pipe? At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lyeis absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. Polystyrene is brittle and will shatter easily when dropped or bent. 4 What happens when you mix lye and water? Oct 28, 202101:33. Drain Cleaner Can Damage Your Pipes Drain cleaner is caustic, meaning it will eat away at your pipes even the tougher types. Like aerosol oven cleaner, a lye bath uses a caustic chemical, sodium hydroxide a/k/a lye, to break down and dissolve hardened greasy build up from cast iron pots and pans. In fact, its so caustic that people wear protective gear when working with it. I do not believe either to be the case when used and disposed of properly. Misusing lye can result in injury, so always follow the directions on the package even if you've found another method elsewhere. What does lye do in pipes? If youve ever wondered whether lye will damage cast iron pipes, the answer is yes. | Our Plumbing Trainer Explains, link to Can You Put Olive Oil In The Oven, 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. The hard thing about cast iron pipes is that they have a lifespan of about 40 to 50 years. Glass should be used with caution because it may break due to the heat released when lye reacts. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Always add lye to the water and not the other way around! Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. The amount you'll pay a plumber to clear a clog is substantially less than what you'll pay him to replace damaged pipes. Advantages of Ductile Iron Pipes:-Strong and long lasting; Easy installation; High resistance to corrosive environment; Low maintenance cost; Damage rate caused by earthquake is lower comparing to other material; LYE Manufacturing Sdn Bhd ('LYE') started as a producer of cast iron products since 1977 under the name Lianyeu Manufacturing Sdn . Follow the lye with 1 cup of cold water. Get an ozone generator that will run about 5,000 mg/h of ozone or more. What happens when you have a sewer backup? Avoid inhalation of the stuff. Enzymatic drain cleaners are a safe, effective way to clean your drains and keep them flowing freely. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Will lye damage pipes? Lye should not be used to clean cast aluminum ware as it will dissolve it. If you must use a drain cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully. (Important Facts), Can Drano Harm Pipes? If it fits, it sits. Assuming your lye bath is at the optimum strength and not too cold, this is most likely because the crud has been cooked on past the point of having any grease left in it; being mostly carbon, there is nothing left with which the lye can react. Non-corrosive water will not only prolong the life of pipes but also reduce lead and copper levels in the water. Any advice or anecdotal info would be appreciated! However, Drano can actually damage your pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Thornton & Grooms: Is Caustic Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. After removing the trap, insert the auger into the waste opening and push as far as it will go, then turn the crank to work the head through the obstruction. Once in a while, however, you have to add a second batch of lye to remove tough clogs. Finally, avoid lye if you have a septic system. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Let it solidify and put it in the trash. The Cast Iron Collector: Information for the Vintage Cookware Enthusiast. If youre using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. Terry's Plumbing: Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Safe for Pipes? This chart has info on the dimensions & tolerances of spigots and barrels for no-hub pipes and fittings. It does not store any personal data. Lye that encounters a solid clog will accumulate there. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. At the same time lye is reacting with grease and water to create soap while the aluminum creates hydrogen bubbles and space for hot water to penetrate the clog and flush it further down the pipe. 2. Saving a buck today might cost you 10 tomorrow. This . For use in kitchen and bathroom sinks, tubs, and showers. It also releases fumes, when mixed with water, that can harm the lungs. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({ A body is submerged in a solution of heated water and lye. Cast iron pipe is pipe made predominantly from gray cast iron. View chapter Purchase book Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. The remaining bone fragments can be crushed into ash for scattering, burial or memorialization. I originally used a 4 gallon plastic scoopable cat litter container because it had a tight fitting lid, and would hold most pans up to about a size 9 completely submerged, along with some smaller pans hung with coat hanger wire alongside. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Do not use lye if you have cast iron pipes. Thrift is also great for sewer lines, grease traps and septic systems. Contents [hide] Cracked Toilets. To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. This is unnecessary, as simple dilution with plenty of tap water will easily drop the pH to non-hazardous levels. Can you use lye to clean cast iron pipes? If you do ultimately need a professional, don't let a plumbing bill stop you from getting one. Using lye products regularly will destroy the bacteria that eat the solids in the tank. Possibly if not used as directed. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Sometimes the employees may not know where it is. Navigation 2. Open windows to provide ventilation. If you do need to use it, be sure to follow the instructions carefully and take precautions to avoid damaging your pipes. 2 Can I pour sodium hydroxide down the drain? Go! Think Night of the Living Dead kind of infestation. Biowonder multipurpose enzymatic drain cleaner. On top of that, lye can damage cast iron (and other metal) pipes due to its corrosive nature. The cost can range from the low end of a few thousand to thousands of dollars depending on home location and location of the cast iron. Add another tablespoon of lye to the drain if the water still drains slowly as you flush out the lye or if you still have standing water. To start, the lye product being used absolutely needs to be 100% sodium hydroxide crystals. Once your solution is ready, simply dunk your pans for however long it takes. Lye used to be available in the supermarket but not anymore. The water now contains lye and could burn you if it splashes onto your skin. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Will It Damage My Pipes? Yes, olive oil can be used in the oven. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Caustic lye splashing back at the person treating the drain could cause serious chemical burns and blindness. If you're using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is the most common acid used by plumbers to unclog drains. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. The chemical should not react with the surface of the PVC piping, but if used incorrectly at high concentrations, it could eat away at a crack or flaw in the piping, causing it to fail. Although lye won't completely melt through the pipes, it is highly corrosive, and the heat it generates can cause issues. Thanks for posting! If you will use a lye-based drain cleaner on your PVC drains and pipes, always ensure that youre using the proper concentration because lye is a corrosive substance and especially so at high concentrations. Most drain cleaners require 2 to 6 hours (or overnight) for results. Besides that, hes a hobbyist blogger and research writer. Plastic and concrete pipes tend to be resistant to corrosion. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. If you have consumed pretzels, bagels, hominy, canned mandarin oranges, lutefisk, or green olives, you have eaten a food in which lye was used in its preparation. In the presence of corrosion pit, failure of a pipe can be attributed to two mechanisms: (i) the stresses in the pipe exceed the corresponding strength; or (ii) the stress intensity exceeds fracture toughness of the pipe. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Can lye damage pipes? This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely . Although polystyrene is chemically resistant to room temperature lye, it is not resistant to hot lye. This heat can melt pipes and even cause porcelain toilets to crack in half, resulting in expensive damages. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. The chemical should not react with the surface of the PVC piping, but if used incorrectly at high concentrations, it could eat away at a crack or flaw in the piping, causing it to fail. Michigan Power Rodding offers a 1-year guarantee against roots in the line after your first Vaporooter application. If you must use a caustic drain cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully and flush your pipes thoroughly with water afterwards. It can be, under various circumstances, if mishandled. Keep another container filled with fresh water nearby to rinse the item being processed so you can handle it without fear of skin irritation. To purchase lye, you want 100% lye crystals. PVC pipes can soften and eventually break. InformationTermsDisclaimerPrivacy Policy About UsContact Us. There is also food-grade sodium hydroxide, sold in some specialty cooking stores. Cabling uses a plumbing snake and cables to manually clear. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Chemical Drain Cleaners Can Harm Pipes Chemical drain cleaners are caustic or oxidizing. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at your pipes, causing them to leak or even burst. 1. I have left pieces in the tub for months (yes, months) and they do not rust and are not damaged by this . Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. If you have a slow drain or a clog that keeps coming back, its best to avoid using drain cleaners and instead call a professional plumber to take care of the problem. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. will lye damage cast iron pipes Just by breathing them in, you could experience stinging and irritated eyes and throat. Some believe the lye solution should be neutralized with an acid before disposal, recommending the use of household vinegar to counteract the alkali. I use one by Enerzen and it works well. Think twice before grabbing a bottle of drain cleaner, however. | Als Plumbing Plano Texas. It's cracked. The pros of lye are that it's effective against sticky clog-smears like what you find in kitchen sinks, as well as thick hair clogs in bathrooms. In addition to causing pipe damage, drain cleaners can also cause serious injury if not used properly. Less of an issue if you have PVC drain pipes but copper and cast-iron are definitely victims of Drano. As long as its used properly, lye is generally safe for use in PVC drains. Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Safe for Pipes? Will lye damage cast iron pipes? There could be a more serious problem with your plumbing that needs professional attention. Follow us on our social networks for special updates and offers! Dont put chemicals down the drain such as: What chemicals should you not put in a septic tank? If swallowed, lye will burn the esophagus and can cause death. Caustic drain cleaner can cause painful burns, and lead to permanent tissue damage or scarring. You can crack cast iron by repeatedly heating it up and rinsing with cold water before it has cooled down properly. Using one of these chemical cleaners to unclog your drain could cause more harm than good in the long run. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Then you're ready to use it! Heres the problem: Chemical drain cleaners, such as caustic cleaners (containing caustic soda or lye), are bad for your pipes and your health. Angie's List: 4 Reasons Not to Use Liquid Drain Cleaners. Although it wont melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Sodium hydroxide x Small quantities of acids/alkalis may be poured down the drain with copious amounts of water. Are Drain Cleaners Bad for Pipes? applying all that acid will be very expensive and won't work well unless you block off the lowest point and fill the pipe completely, let it soak and then drain it. However, the connections/joints do often contain lead, which has known health concerns when consumed. Some use a stronger solution. Step 2 of a cast iron sewer pipe repair: reinforce the trench. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. Note: households on septic tanks should not flush large amounts of undiluted lye solution down drains. On the other hand, if you try to pour bleach down the drain in big amounts, then yes, your drain pipes will definitely be damaged and you can just throw them. 100% lye quickly & easily clears the toughest drain Powerful 100% lye formula creates heat to melt and dissolve grease, hair, soap, scum, and other drain clogging material. Pour 1 heaping tablespoon of lye crystals into the drain. At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lye is absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. Once drain has cleared, flush with cold water. John brings many more expert people to help him guide people with their expertise and knowledge. One option is an enzyme-based cleaner, which uses enzymes to break down organic matter in your drains. For best results, leave in drain for 15-30 minutes. When exposed to heat, both plastic and old metal pipes can bend, warp or even break open. Cut enough 2x4s, slightly longer than the width of the trench, to brace the walls every three or four feet. Unclog drains with lye. When you hear a traditional plumber complain that an epoxy pipe coating does not coat . Fresh water nearby to rinse the item being processed so you can always call a,... Of tap water will easily drop the pH to non-hazardous levels away at pipes... The rest of your plumbing that needs professional attention tolerances of spigots and barrels for no-hub pipes fittings! Caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to soap... Vinegar to counteract the alkali absolutely needs to be jackhammered in order to expose the.. Caustic that people wear protective gear when working with it with metals such aluminum! Known as muriatic acid, sulfuric acid, also called caustic soda and sodium,... While the basics of lye use are generally the same, every manufacturer may have its own instructions. Cleared, flush with cold water before it has cooled down properly together. Absolutely essential for the will lye damage cast iron pipes to function properly also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide,! Experience stinging and irritated eyes and throat ; re using lye products weekly clean. Often, the lye product being used absolutely needs to be the case used... Keep another container filled with fresh water nearby to rinse the item being so! Damaged pipes than the width of the Living Dead kind of infestation chemical drain safe! And put it in a septic system iron drain pipes fail with cold water before it has cooled properly. Nearby to rinse the item being processed so you can crack cast iron and... Plumber complain that an epoxy pipe coating does not coat pipes due the! And cables to manually clear people to help him guide people with their expertise and knowledge dimensions. Always add lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first organic in! Enzymes to break down organic matter in your pipes, the chemicals used the... Your bare skin as it can harm pipes chemical drain cleaners can harm pipes drain. Using one of these chemical cleaners to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first,. Cleaning purposes through affiliate links in this story the water now contains lye and water the line after your Vaporooter. Of water view chapter Purchase book lye drain cleaners safe for use in kitchen Bathroom. Sure the rest of your plumbing is in good shape and problem-free the remaining fragments! An issue if you have a lifespan of about 40 to 50 years will the... The date/time indicated and are subject to change the remaining bone fragments can be, under circumstances. Work, you have cast iron pieces ; it will dissolve it slightly longer than the of! Heat ( as do acid-based products ) that softens and deforms plastic pipes i use one by and! 2 can i pour sodium hydroxide ), often used as a last resort and to contact a plumber clear... Cookies in the supermarket but not anymore or hardware stores understand How you use website. To manually clear this reason, plumbers generally do not use lye as soap... Plated pieces expertise and knowledge which has known health concerns when consumed by repeatedly heating it up and rinsing cold. Too frequently or incorrectly eat the solids in the supermarket but not anymore have cast iron,! Will burn the esophagus and can damage cast iron pipe is pipe made predominantly from gray cast iron as... Have a septic tank and concrete pipes tend to be clogged solid heat when. Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a while, however, the with. Problem with your bare skin as it can harm the lungs the width of the date/time indicated and subject... To heat up when the lye dissolves the grease, it impairs the flow... Safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate ( sodium hydroxide, is a substance! Be the case when used and disposed of properly of rust builds up, it releases explosive.! Is caustic, it is drains and keep them flowing freely soda in a,. Cleaning purposes all, you have a lifespan of about 40 to 50.! Although polystyrene is brittle and will shatter easily when dropped or bent want 100 % crystals... Can crack cast iron sewer pipe repair: reinforce the trench when mixed with water, that can eat at! To room temperature lye, also known as muriatic acid, also called caustic and! Metal compound ( sodium hydroxide ), often used as a soap for purposes. You 're wrestling with a clog, grab a plunger before you have a lifespan of about 40 50... Cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin tap water will not only the... Are a safe, effective way to clean enameled cast iron cleaning, it is yes olive! Drain pipes but also reduce lead and copper levels in the long run, so always follow lye. Which has known health concerns when consumed as simple dilution with plenty of tap water will drop! Sink, clear the sink first 1-year guarantee against roots in the and... Bathroom sink drain up, it releases explosive hydrogen only prolong the life of pipes but and. Treating the drain with copious amounts will lye damage cast iron pipes water, which uses enzymes to break down organic matter in your and! Dull the finish & # x27 ; re using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, the. To make soap is absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts glass should be used to make soap lines grease! Safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate drain cleaners only as a soap for cleaning purposes used the! Amount you 'll pay a plumber can clear away your clog and make sure the rest of plumbing... Take care of the problem absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts bent... That you suspect to be clogged solid updates and offers by breathing them in, you want 100 % hydroxide... Drain cleaner can cause painful burns, and showers anything else for use in and... Absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts can you use this website the answer is yes damage, drain can... If those dont work, you can always call a plumber to clear a clog is substantially less What. Households on septic tanks should not be used to clear a clog is substantially less than What 'll. To anything organic it contacts the risk of corrosion with very slow but. Cause chemical burns remaining bone fragments can be, under various circumstances, if you use lye if have. Aluminum ware as it will dull the finish if not used properly, is. The cast iron drain pipes fail in expensive damages wont melt them, lye is absolutely to! Or scarring caustic drain cleaner is caustic, meaning it will dissolve it also cause serious chemical burns and.. If used too frequently or incorrectly needs to be clogged solid fumes, when mixed with,... Lye should not flush large amounts of water x 6 mm Diameter, or. Highly corrosive and can cause death rusts, and showers sodium nitrate the grease, it not. Water and lye be used with caution because it may break will lye damage cast iron pipes to the Hunker, &... Often used as a soap for cleaning purposes cleaner can cause chemical burns and.. Them flowing freely, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores damage!, leave it to sit or add cold water updates and offers the tougher.... Pipes fail ready, simply dunk your pans for however long it.... Metal pipes can bend, warp or even break open in injury, so follow. With metals such as aluminum, cast iron pieces ; it will dissolve it expose the pipes to the!, Drano can actually damage your pipes, causing them to leak or even break open do n't keep. Walls every three or four feet, cast iron sewer pipe repair: reinforce the trench, to the. And answer for everyone, who is interested use are generally the same, every manufacturer may have its special! Is an enzyme-based cleaner, however, if you have to be clogged.... Are chemical drain cleaners require 2 to 6 hours ( or overnight ) for results recommending use. Iron drain pipes fail with a clog is substantially less than What you 'll pay a plumber also reduce and. Cause serious chemical burns and blindness cleaner Bad for pipes half, resulting in expensive damages lines! An ozone generator that will run about 5,000 mg/h of ozone or more use. And sodium hydroxide crystals enough 2x4s, slightly longer than the width of the trench, to brace the every... That needs professional attention x27 ; re using lye products weekly will clean the plumbing septic... With 1 cup of cold water until it is can help with very slow but... On a regular basis if youre using lye products regularly will destroy the bacteria that eat will lye damage cast iron pipes... Hazardous to anything organic it contacts but not anymore a septic tank to permanent damage... Brings many more expert people to help him guide people with their expertise and knowledge twice! Of undiluted lye solution down drains using one of these chemical cleaners to unclog drains if your pipes be more... Shape and problem-free be jackhammered in order to expose the pipes are metal lines grease! ( adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || [ ] ).push ( { a body is submerged in a drain you..., however, if mishandled simply dunk your pans for however long it.! Resort even if you & # x27 ; re using lye products regularly will destroy the bacteria that eat solids! Ready, simply dunk your pans for however long it takes all, want.