Lime vs. Lye: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Lime is a calcium-containing inorganic material used in building and agricultural applications, while lye is a strong alkaline solution used for cleaning and soap-making.
Key Differences
Lime, chemically known as calcium oxide (CaO), is derived from limestone and used extensively in construction for mortars and plasters. Its alkalinity helps to stabilize soils and is a key ingredient in cement. Lye, or sodium hydroxide (NaOH), is a caustic metallic base used in various chemical processes, including soap making and drain cleaning.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 10, 2023
Lime is often used in agriculture to adjust soil pH and improve plant health, whereas lye is not suitable for such use due to its high pH and corrosive nature. Instead, lye is more commonly found in household cleaning agents, where its ability to break down organic material is advantageous.
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Nov 10, 2023
In terms of safety, lime can cause skin irritation and must be handled with care, but it is not as hazardous as lye, which is highly corrosive and can cause severe chemical burns. Lye requires careful handling, protective clothing, and proper storage to ensure safety.
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Nov 10, 2023
The production process of lime involves heating limestone to very high temperatures, a process known as calcination, which results in a fine powder that reacts with water. Lye is manufactured through the electrolysis of saltwater, a process that separates the sodium ions to produce a strong alkaline solution.
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Nov 10, 2023
Both lime and lye have played significant roles throughout history. Lime has been used since ancient times for building and medicinal purposes, while lye has been historically used for making soap, a practice that dates back to Babylonian times.
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Nov 10, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Chemical Composition
Calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide.
Sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.
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Nov 10, 2023
Historical Use
Ancient construction, medicinal uses.
Soap making since ancient times.
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Nov 10, 2023
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Lime and Lye Definitions
Lime
A type of mineral used to adjust soil pH
Farmers spread lime over the field to reduce acidity.
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Nov 10, 2023
Lime
An inorganic material for water purification
Lime is often used to treat wastewater.
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Nov 10, 2023
Lime
Any of several evergreen trees or shrubs of the genus Citrus having edible green or greenish-yellow fruit, especially the Mexican lime and the Persian lime.
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Oct 19, 2023
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Lye
A metallic base for chemical reactions
Lye reacts with fats to produce soap.
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Nov 10, 2023
Lime
The fruit of any of these plants, having a pulpy interior and usually acid juice.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lye
A compound used in food preparation
Lye is sometimes used in the making of pretzels.
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Nov 10, 2023
Lime
Any of various mineral and industrial forms of calcium oxide differing chiefly in water content and percentage of constituents such as magnesia, silica, alumina, and iron.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lime
(chemistry) Any inorganic material containing calcium, usually calcium oxide (quicklime) or calcium hydroxide (slaked lime).
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Oct 19, 2023
Lime
(poetic) Any gluey or adhesive substance; something which traps or captures someone; sometimes a synonym for birdlime.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lye
A strong caustic alkaline solution of potassium salts, obtained by leaching wood ashes. It is much used in making soap, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lime
A deciduous tree of the genus Tilia, especially Tilia × europaea; the linden tree.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lye
Sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, or a concentrated aqueous solution of either compound.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lime
Any of several green citrus fruit, somewhat smaller and sharper-tasting than a lemon.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lime
Any of the trees that bear limes, especially Key lime, Citrus aurantiifolia.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lime
(uncountable) A brilliant, sometimes yellowish, green colour associated with the fruits of a lime tree.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lye
A caustic solution for cleaning
Lye can strip paint off surfaces if used carefully.
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Nov 10, 2023
Lime
(fandom) A fan fiction story which contains sexual references, but stops short of full, explicit descriptions of sexual activity (coined by analogy with lemon).
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Oct 19, 2023
Lime
To hang out/socialize in an informal, relaxed environment, especially with friends, for example at a party or on the beach.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lime
The fruit of the Citrus aurantifolia, allied to the lemon, but greener in color; also, the tree which bears it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lime
Oxide of calcium, CaO; the white or gray, caustic substance, usually called quicklime, obtained by calcining limestone or shells, the heat driving off carbon dioxide and leaving lime. It develops great heat when treated with water, forming slaked lime, and is an essential ingredient of cement, plastering, mortar, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lime
To smear with a viscous substance, as birdlime.
These twigs, in time, will come to be limed.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lime
To entangle; to insnare.
We had limed ourselvesWith open eyes, and we must take the chance.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lime
To treat with lime, or oxide or hydrate of calcium; to manure with lime; as, to lime hides for removing the hair; to lime sails in order to whiten them; to lime the lawn to decrease acidity of the soil.
Land may be improved by draining, marling, and liming.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lime
A sticky adhesive that is smeared on small branches to capture small birds
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Oct 19, 2023
Lime
Any of various deciduous trees of the genus Tilia with heart-shaped leaves and drooping cymose clusters of yellowish often fragrant flowers; several yield valuable timber
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Oct 19, 2023
Lime
A white caustic alkaline substance
The mason added lime to the mix for the new plaster.
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Nov 10, 2023
Lime
A calcium-rich material in cement
Lime is a crucial component of this construction cement.
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Nov 10, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is lye used for?
Lye is used for soap making, cleaning, and as a chemical reactant.
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Nov 10, 2023
Is lime safe to handle?
Lime can be handled safely with basic precautions, as it can cause skin irritation.
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Nov 10, 2023
Can lime be used for cleaning?
Lime itself is not typically used for cleaning, but limewater can be a mild cleaning agent.
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Nov 10, 2023
Is lye safe to handle?
Lye must be handled with extreme care as it is highly corrosive and can cause severe burns.
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Nov 10, 2023
What precautions should be taken when using lime?
Wear gloves and eye protection, and avoid inhaling the dust.
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Nov 10, 2023
Is lye used in agriculture?
No, lye is not suitable for agriculture due to its corrosiveness.
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Nov 10, 2023
What is lime used for?
Lime is used in construction, agriculture to adjust soil pH, and water treatment.
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Nov 10, 2023
Can lime be used in food?
Yes, lime (as in the fruit) is used in food, and pickling lime can be used in food preservation.
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Nov 10, 2023
Can lye be used in food?
Yes, food-grade lye can be used in pretzel making and some other food preparations.
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Nov 10, 2023
Is lime used in agriculture?
Yes, lime is used to amend soil in agriculture.
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Nov 10, 2023
How is lime made?
Lime is made by heating limestone in a kiln to produce calcium oxide.
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Nov 10, 2023
How is lye made?
Lye is made by electrolyzing a solution of sodium chloride (saltwater).
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Nov 10, 2023
Does lime react with water?
Yes, lime reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide.
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Nov 10, 2023
Does lye react with water?
Yes, lye reacts with water, releasing heat in an exothermic reaction.
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Nov 10, 2023
Can lime be used to make soap?
No, lime is not used in soap making; that's where lye is used.
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Nov 10, 2023
Can both lime and lye be found in household products?
Lime can be found in some household products for gardening, while lye is found in some cleaning products.
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Nov 10, 2023
What precautions should be taken when using lye?
Use gloves, goggles, long sleeves, and work in a well-ventilated area.
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Nov 10, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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