Why Washing soda?

[Birdie Wife]

I've searched in books and on the forum - maybe I've missed it, but why is washing soda recommended as a cleaning agent for beekeeping equipment? Is there harm in using washing up liquid?


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[B+.]

I've searched in books and on the forum - maybe I've missed it, but why is washing soda recommended as a cleaning agent for beekeeping equipment? Is there harm in using washing up liquid?


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It breaks down the membrane of bacteria better than other agents. The ph will be wrong in washing up liquid

 

[Popparand]

Wow! A clear question and a succinct and informative answer. Am I on the right forum?

 

[Noddy]

Wow! A clear question and a succinct and informative answer. Am I on the right forum?

Until someone came along and had to have a poke...

 

[B+.]

Wow! A clear question and a succinct and informative answer. Am I on the right forum?

I forgot myself for a moment. Please forgive me.

 

[enrico]

Until someone came along and had to have a poke...

 

[Karsal]

I've searched in books and on the forum - maybe I've missed it, but why is washing soda recommended as a cleaning agent for beekeeping equipment? Is there harm in using washing up liquid?


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It's also excellent at removing propolis

 

[Codford]

This is disappointing. Forum Tradition dictates that there must be at least three answers to this question - of which two are required to be completely contradictory, and the third supported by an obscure, largely discredited, scientific paper written in a language other than English...

 

[B+.]

This is disappointing. Forum Tradition dictates that there must be at least three answers to this question - of which two are required to be completely contradictory, and the third supported by an obscure, largely discredited, scientific paper written in a language other than English...

Don't worry. I'm sure they'll be along presently.

 

[Millet]

This is disappointing. Forum Tradition dictates that there must be at least three answers to this question - of which two are required to be completely contradictory, and the third supported by an obscure, largely discredited, scientific paper written in a language other than English...

 

[For want of a better word]

This is disappointing. Forum Tradition dictates that there must be at least three answers to this question - of which two are required to be completely contradictory, and the third supported by an obscure, largely discredited, scientific paper written in a language other than English...

Finnie the Fin calls it LYE... I think he means washing soda.
I add a dash of bleach and a drop of Fairy to mine


Yeghes da

 

[B+.]

Finnie the Fin calls it LYE... I think he means washing soda.
I add a dash of bleach and a drop of Fairy to mine


Yeghes da

Lye is potassium hydroxide. As a strong alkaline, it would have a similar effect, but, nowhere near as safe as houehold washing soda

 

[thorn]

Where’s Finman when you need him?

 

[BKF Admin]

I was taught it goes:

Baking soda--washing soda--caustic soda.
Making cakes--cleaning clothes--unblocking drains.

 

[maddydog]

I was taught it goes:

Baking soda--washing soda--caustic soda.
Making cakes--cleaning clothes--unblocking drains.

Not exactly catchy is it??

 

[pargyle]

Not exactly catchy is it??

I dunno ... it fits the tune Colonel Bogey ... Da da da Da da da DA DA Daaaa ..

or ERE WE GO ERE WE GO ERE WE GO ...

 

[For want of a better word]

I dunno ... it fits the tune Colonel Bogey ... Da da da Da da da DA DA Daaaa ..

or ERE WE GO ERE WE GO ERE WE GO ...

Star Spangled Banner........

Mytten da

 

[Fraise]

Lye is potassium hydroxide. As a strong alkaline, it would have a similar effect, but, nowhere near as safe as houehold washing soda

LYE is sodium hydroxide, commonly known as caustic soda.

 

[Curley]

Lye is potassium hydroxide. As a strong alkaline, it would have a similar effect, but, nowhere near as safe as houehold washing soda

Pedant alert: Originally lye was potassium hydroxide but often nowadays and usually on Merkin sites - it refers to sodium hydroxide .
It matters not, both are nasty things particularly when concentrated, such as drain cleaner and will happily take your skin off if handled incorrectly, blind you if you get it in your eyes or kill you (painfully and horribly) if ingested.
No need for it in hobby beekeeping.

 

[Birdie Wife]

Pedant alert: Originally lye was potassium hydroxide but often nowadays and usually on Merkin sites - it refers to sodium hydroxide .
It matters not, both are nasty things particularly when concentrated, such as drain cleaner and will happily take your skin off if handled incorrectly, blind you if you get it in your eyes or kill you (painfully and horribly) if ingested.
No need for it in hobby beekeeping.

Or making soap the traditional (cold process) way. There's a tenuous link to beekeepering there if you want to use honey or beeswax in your home made soap.

Thanks for the useful (and not to useful!) information. This forum does not disappoint on entertainment value!

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