From batteries to fertilizers, soaps and hair gels, the chemical potassium hydroxide has more uses than most people realize. As a strong base, it helps neutralize acids, but can also be used as a food thickener or stabilizer. It has medicinal properties for both humans and pets and is a reagent in many industrial processes.
Potassium hydroxide as a cleaning agent Potassium hydroxide is an extremely versatile cleaning agent. For example, potassium hydroxide is found in a variety of items,such as liquid soaps, lotions, shampoos, hair gels, and denture cleaners, but also in more industrial compounds, such as oven cleaners, drain cleaners, driveway and concrete cleaners, in non-phosphate cleaners, and drain and pipe cleaners.
While soaps made with sodium hydroxide are more common, potassium hydroxide soaps are actually more soluble in water and better for the environment. Potassium hydroxide soap is also called "soft soap". Although not as popular as sodium soaps, potassium soaps are produced in various liquid concentrations and are often used in combination with sodium soaps, for example, in shaving products and the textile industry.
Potassium hydroxide as a pH regulator Potassium hydroxide is a strong base or base, and many of its uses are a result of this property. As a base, potassium hydroxide acts as a pH regulator in industrial manufacturing and processing. In the agricultural industry, potassium hydroxide is used to regulate the pH of acidic soils.
Potassium hydroxide in medicine Potassium hydroxide also has medicinal properties. In veterinary medicine, potassium hydroxide is used to remove calf horns and dissolve scales and hair. In humans, potassium hydroxide can be used to diagnose fungal infections. It can also be used to dissolve warts and cuticles.
Alkaline batteries contain potassium hydroxide. The alkaline solution of potassium hydroxide provides the battery's high ionic conductivity, which is why alkaline batteries are superior to cheap zinc-carbon batteries.
Potassium hydroxide in food
Potassium hydroxide is often found as an additive in commercially processed foods, and as a rinsing agent or chemical peel for fruits and vegetables. It is added to processed foods as a stabilizer to extend shelf life and as a thickener. It involves chocolate and cocoa processing, soft drink processing, and thickening of ice cream. Potassium hydroxide is used to soften the olives and glaze the pretzels to crisp them before baking.
Other uses of potassium hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide acts as a defoamer in the papermaking process. It is also used as lawn food, industrial fertilizer, fungicide and herbicide. Heated potassium hydroxide is commonly used for bulk etching of silicon wafers, which is important in the manufacture of certain microelectronic devices.