What Does Bleach and Lye Do

Lye can cause burns. Liquid Plumber and many other drain openers contain sulfuric acid and when mixed with bleach, pool chlorine or any other chlorine-based substance can create chlorine gas (as used in chemical warfare).

What happens if you mix lye and bleach?

Do not mix chlorine bleach with toilet bowl cleaners, ammonia, lye, rust remover, vinegar, or oven cleaner. You may inadvertently create chlorine gas, which is highly toxic — even lethal.

What is lye used for?

Making of household and industrial products: Lye is used to make commercial and industrial cleaners and clogged drain openers because of its cleaning effects and ability to dissolve grease. Tissue digestion: NaOH or KOH can be used to digest tissues of animal carcasses.