Hydrochloric acid, also known as strong water or muriatic acid, is a chemical normally used for cleaning hard surfaces and surfaces which are hard to clean, such as brick, concrete, and others. This is a highly corrosive product should be used with extreme caution, otherwise it may damage your skin or the objects of your home. Want to know exactly how to use it? On OneHowTo.com we explain how to clean with hydrochloric acid.
The first thing you should consider is that hydrochloric acid is a product that must be handled with extreme caution and always using adequate protection to prevent accidents and injuries to our skin.
So when using it you should wear:
- Long-sleeved shirt and trousers that cover your arms and legs
- Closed shoes
- Rubber gloves, a must for handling
- Goggles to protect your eyes from any drops or splashes
Also if there is vegetation in the area you plan to clean, it is desirable that you change location or adequately cover the plants or grass, as this product may be toxic to plants.
Muriatic acid is commonly used to clean surfaces such as brick or concrete. In both cases, you can use the same process. First cover your skin with appropriate clothing, protect your hands with gloves and eyes with goggles.
In a bucket mix one part muriatic acid, or hydrochloric acid with 10 parts water. Do not add any other product as you could cause a dangerous chemical reaction.
Dampen the surface of the brick or concrete you want to clean with muriatic acid and then, taking care not to splash, pour the contents of the bucket on to the surface. Leave it on the surface for 10 minutes.
After this time you can rub the surface with a stiff brush to remove dirt stuck in the brick or concrete. Then rinse with plenty of water for at least 2 minutes to make sure you've that the area is completely free of muriatic acid.
It is also possible to clean ceramics tiles and joints with muriatic acid , especially in places like the bathroom which accumulate lots of lime. To do this follow the steps above, mixing 1 part product to 10 parts water.
Use proper protection, leave to stand for 5 minutes and then rub with a hard brush. Then, rinse the surface with an abundance of water and carefully remove your gloves.
Always take great caution when handling hydrochloric acid, as it is a powerful acid that can damage your skin.
Next on OneHowTo, learn how to clean a shower door, a burnt pot, and much more!
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