Muriatic acid, safe ratio to use indoors

[kris2001]

Hi
If i mix muriatic acid: water in 1:10 ratio outside the house and let it sit a while closed, then use the diluted mix indoors to clean pumps and soak them an hour e.t.c...

Will this solution still be volatile so as to corrode stuff in my basement? Where the DT is?

What's safe ratio where it won't corrode pump parts (if there's metal)?

Pls advice!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Full strength HCl from the bottle will fume (bad for you to breathe; very bad if you splash the liquid on yourself), but once diluted into 10 parts of water, won't fume any more.

All acids will corrode most metals, but the 10:1 dilution will not harm typical plastics.

 

[725196]

I would strongly suggest against that. The acid is Corrosive (I use it in my line of work). Get some citric acid and use that. It works wonders.

 

[dan3949]

I have used dilute solutions (10:1 - 20:1) for years. It works great. Just be careful when handling.

 

[kris2001]

What's the cheapest organic acidic liquid to buy in bulk? I usually get bjs vinegar

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What's the cheapest organic acidic liquid to buy in bulk? I usually get bjs vinegar

Likely either vinegar (5% acetic acid) or dry citric acid, depending on how much they cost you locally or shipped.

 

[rmurken]

What's the cheapest organic acidic liquid to buy in bulk? I usually get bjs vinegar

If you search the forums you’ll see some concerns about using vinegar to clean plastic items. Seems the acetate may degrade certain plastics over time. Maybe? Maybe not? I don’t know.

I like citric acid (a pound goes a lot farther and takes up less space than a gallon of vinegar—also doesn’t smell). Or muriatic at 1:10 or so—I’ve learned to calm down about handling the concentrated form, but still goggle and glove up when I mix it.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Full strength HCl from the bottle will fume (bad for you to breathe; very bad if you splash the liquid on yourself), but once diluted into 10 parts of water, won't fume any more.

All acids will corrode most metals, but the 10:1 dilution will not harm typical plastics.

A lot of pumps use a metal pin/shaft attached to a magnet to operate. Do you remove that shaft during your acid baths?

 

[PatW]

In lab work, we kept 10% and 5% muriatic in plastic squirt bottles. We rinsed out glassware with dilute acid to strip off any cations and rinsed after that with distilled water. Diluted acid is no big deal. Since HCl is a strong acid, it is more effective than vinegar which is a weak acid. A strong acid is virtually a 100% in acid form in solution. A weak acid is only partially in acidic form in solution. A weak acid will work, just more slowly. If it gives you a sense of comfort, use a weak acid.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

A lot of pumps use a metal pin/shaft attached to a magnet to operate. Do you remove that shaft during your acid baths?

I never removed anything, but I'm not sure if my powerheads had metal, and I know my Iwaki pumps did not.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Just to add fuel to the fire I guess. Dealing with Muratic can be a hazard so wear PPE when diluting and I suggest doing so outside. In my younger days I once kicked over a 1 gallon container while working as a lifeguard. It splashed onto my foot leaving a chemical burn and nearly choked me out. Citric acid is my much preferred method unless you already have muratic or can get it for free.

 

[rmurken]

For concentrated muriatic acid, I think:

- Good ventilation
- Eye protection
- Gloves
- Add acid to water, not other way around.
- Keep a bucket of fresh water nearby in case you get any on yourself.
- Don’t leave the bottle of muriatic uncapped—ever. Eventually you’ll knock it over.

Something I personally wouldn’t do: Keeping a box of baking soda within reach to neutralize splashes or spills. Mixing dry baking soda and concentrated muriatic strikes me as a uniquely bad idea! Maybe a solution of baking soda would be better.

 

[rmurken]

Bonus rant: I have seen videos of people making lye solutions where they use a random plastic container, fill with water, then add a bunch of lye pellets, screw on the cap, and shake.

NO! NO! NO! NO! Are you trying to have it explode in your face?!?!?!? GAHHHHHH! So much wrong with that.

This stuff is not spent nuclear fuel and doesn’t have to be handled as if one misstep will kill you and and everyone around you.

But it deserves some respect. Lye (and muriatic acid) gets hot when you dissolve it in water. Go slow, and don’t mix it in something that will melt, don’t cap it and set up an explosion. Don’t shake it. Stir it. And consider icing it if you’re mixing a strong solution.