Buzz
If your regular home cleaning solutions aren't up to the challenge, muriatic acid might be just what you need. Oranje Travel/ShutterstockKey Takeaways
- Muriatic acid is a powerful, corrosive cleaner that works wonders on mold, stains, and rust, especially on surfaces like brick, concrete, and stone.
- It must be used with extreme caution, including wearing safety goggles, a respirator, gloves, and full-coverage clothing to avoid skin burns.
- Always dilute muriatic acid with water before use, typically mixing one part acid with ten parts water. Apply the solution carefully, let it sit, then rinse it off and neutralize with ammonia if needed.
Every homeowner understands that some cleaning tasks are easy, while others are true tough cleaning jobs. For the simple ones, everyday products like baking soda, vinegar, or even the beloved Magic Eraser can do the trick.
However, none of those products will make a dent in rust on stainless steel or mold on your basement's concrete walls. So, what cleaning product can you rely on for those tough challenges? That's where muriatic acid becomes invaluable. It's one of the strongest cleaners available. But be cautious — muriatic acid is not meant for just any surface, as it's an acid, after all.
What Is Muriatic Acid?
The name muriatic acid comes from the Latin word muriaticus, which translates to "pickled in brine" because it is often used as a pickling agent to remove oxides from metal surfaces. It is a type of acid, specifically hydrochloric acid (HCl).
Hydrochloric acid is a more concentrated and hazardous version of muriatic acid. Hydrochloric acid typically has a pH ranging from 1.5 to , whereas muriatic acid has a pH of about 1 to 2. Muriatic acid is less potent because it's diluted with water (typically 31.5% HCl) and contains impurities such as iron. These impurities give muriatic acid its yellowish color and distinctive odor, in contrast to the clear, odorless hydrochloric acid.
The Arab scholar Jabir ibn Hayyan, often hailed as the "father of alchemy," is recognized for his discovery of hydrochloric acid through alchemy experiments in the eighth century. He achieved this by distilling sulfuric acid with hydrochloric and nitric acids. In addition, he is credited with pioneering key chemical processes like crystallization, calcination, sublimation, and evaporation.
You can find muriatic acid at most home improvement stores today, priced at under $20 per gallon. While it's not as dangerous as pure hydrochloric acid (HCl), it can still be used safely with the right precautions.
Muriatic acid is simply a more diluted form of hydrochloric acid.
mewaji/ShutterstockHow to Use Muriatic Acid
The first step when working with muriatic acid is to ensure you're properly protected with safety gear. This should include goggles, a respirator, gloves, and full-coverage clothing, as direct contact with the acid can cause severe skin burns.
Once you're fully equipped with the necessary safety gear, you're ready to begin. Muriatic acid may be corrosive, but it's incredibly effective for eliminating mold, stains, and rust from a range of surfaces like brick, concrete, stone, and even swimming pools.
Although muriatic acid is designed for cleaning, it must be diluted with water before use. The level of dilution depends on the task at hand, but BobVila.com recommends a ratio of one part muriatic acid to ten parts water as a general guideline.
When diluting, always pour the acid into the water, not the other way around. Additionally, never mix muriatic acid with other cleaning agents.
Apply the diluted solution carefully to any affected mold or hard surfaces and let it sit for approximately 10 minutes. Afterward, rinse it thoroughly with water. BobVila.com suggests spraying the area with a mixture of one part ammonia to ten parts water to neutralize any residual acid. Allow the area to dry completely afterward.
Muriatic acid is commonly used to adjust the pH levels in pool water. If your pool's pH is too high, muriatic acid can help balance it out. However, make sure to buy a product specifically designed for swimming pools. While it works the same way as other muriatic acid, it comes with detailed instructions for safe use in pool environments. You definitely don't want to jump in and end up with chemical burns.
If the pH level in your pool isn't quite right, you can use muriatic acid to restore the proper balance.Take the Skull and Crossbones Seriously
Muriatic acid is easy to find and purchase, especially at most large home improvement stores. But don't overlook the warning symbol on the container. This substance is poisonous, highly corrosive, and can lead to severe health issues if used improperly without adequate protection.
Muriatic acid should be reserved as a last resort for cleaning. Before using it, try less harmful alternatives. Direct contact with this acid can cause chemical burns, severe irritation to the eyes and throat, and even blindness if it gets in the eyes, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Always use muriatic acid in well-ventilated areas and make sure to dispose of it safely to prevent contamination of local water bodies, wildlife, and the environment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides a search portal to help you find local disposal facilities, or you can reach out to your local recycling center for guidance on proper recycling procedures.
Ultimately, muriatic acid is a great tool for home restoration and maintenance projects, as long as it is handled cautiously and disposed of correctly.
In May 2019, Esmeralda Gonzalez, a young woman, disappeared from Las Vegas. Her body was later discovered in the Nevada desert, and several individuals were charged with strangling her and injecting her with pool cleaner: muriatic acid.
