Sodium Hydroxide -Slippery When Wet

[JGT]

Just something I’m curious about…why is sodium hydroxide so slippery after you get it on your hands and wash them? Even after washing and drying them, later on, if I wet my hands it still feels slippery. Imagine something to do with the alk or PH but interested in the details as to why.

 

[polyppal]

Lye essentially converts the oil on your skin to soap

 

[J1a]

Just something I’m curious about…why is sodium hydroxide so slippery after you get it on your hands and wash them? Even after washing and drying them, later on, if I wet my hands it still feels slippery. Imagine something to do with the alk or PH but interested in the details as to why.

It's an alkaline, so it can react with oils on your hand to form soap like substances.

 

[Garf]

Just something I’m curious about…why is sodium hydroxide so slippery after you get it on your hands and wash them? Even after washing and drying them, later on, if I wet my hands it still feels slippery. Imagine something to do with the alk or PH but interested in the details as to why.

I’d be making extra effort to avoid this happening in the first place.

 

[Sean Clark]

Fight Club

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, try to avoid it. It's not good for your skin.

 

[polyppal]

Fight Club

first rule of Kalkwasser - we don’t talk about Kalkwasser

 

[JGT]

Yes, try to avoid it. It's not good for your skin.

But my skin feels so baby soft and smooth afterwards. Its only a little on my hands and I’ve felt the sting so I try to avoid it. Gloves would be the smart thing but you know…