To Neutralize Lye Bath

[Jim Glatthaar]

I've had a lye bath going for a few years now and occasionally add more lye to it.  Now it is getting a little ripe.

I read the Casting Call article about using dry ice to neutralize a lye bath so you can legally dispose of it.  Does anyone know if you could accomplish the same thing by adding vinegar?  Just a thought.

[Tommy Harris]

Newbie here so it's probably best to totally disregard this, but I was under the impression that it's not illegal to dispose of the solution.   From my reading, it is recommended to either pour it down your drains and rinse to help clean them.  Or if it's outside, dilute it with water and it can be poured out.   

Now of you are talking about taking it somewhere like.a toxic dump, I have no idea.    I feel like I read that washing soda may neutralize the lye.   

Hopefully someone will be along to correct me if necessary.   

[Cheryl Watson]

Jim, I drain mine into the sewer line, and run an equal amount of water thru the siphon hose to dilute.  If my vinegar bath needs changing I empty that into the lyebath first.   Some folks have added vinegar to reduce the PH.  (personally IMO it shouldn't matter).  Never tried dry ice.

Tommy, washing soda is a Base (similar to Lye, just not as strong). 

[Jeff Friend]

Jim,

Please look at the article where I discuss the household hazardous waste and sewage mixture exclusions under RCRA.  You do not have to dilute, neutralize, or otherwise treat the lye solution before you send it down the drain to a publicly-owned treatment plant.

You could use vinegar to neutralize a lye solution, but why bother?  Unless you have a way to check the pH, how would you know how much vinegar to add?

I do not recommend pouring it out somewhere in the yard.

[Jim Glatthaar]

Thanks everyone for the advice.  I thought the lye bath might be too caustic on our house pipes and might do some damage.

[Cheryl Watson]

I empty mine directly into the lateral outside. :)

My Lateral connection ALWAYS needs a good cleaning after being down there for 45+ years. :) Of course until Rooto Rooter, I didn't know what or where they were!
(those cleanout caps that are buried under your lawn outside) :)

I've got three on my way to the main connection under the street!

I am getting ready to empty at least one LB... maybe I'll do up a video!
 8-)

[Cheryl Watson]

And after researching Waste Water management, and learning that the Waste Water Management facilities use sodium hydroxide, I figured I am saving THEM a few $$$ in water treatment costs... ;D

[Jim Glatthaar]

You go Girl, save your community money ;D

[Mark R. Smith]

Cheryl
Please do the video.i am going to be moving ina few months and have to decommission my tanks for the move. How do you siphon the lye water out of the tank?

[Cheryl Watson]

Water bed siphon kit... hook garden hose to side of plastic adapter , length of drain hose from lye bath to end.  That is how I dilute the solution, by keeping water flowing during the process.  Drain end of adapter directly into lateral (can attach short length of hose if needed). :)

[Mark R. Smith]

Thanks, hadn't thought of the water bed siphon kit.