USES FOR MURIATIC ACID OR HYDROCHLORIC ACID - Muriatic acid is another name for hydrochloric acid, which is one of the strong acids. The product is usually between 5% and 35% hydrochloric acid in water. Muriatic acid is a solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in water. The acid has a distinctive pungent smell and is highly corrosive. Muriatic acid has many commercial uses in addition to household uses. The acid reacts with other chemicals to remove stains and contaminants. The most common household use of muriatic acid is as a descaling agent however, the chemical has many other applications. Hydrochloric acid is used in the chemical industry to make polyvinyl chloride, which in turn is used to produce several types of plastic. It is used to synthesize and purify both organic and inorganic compounds, regenerate ion exchange columns, perform titrations for chemical analysis, and control pH. The acid finds use in the food industry in the production of gelatin, fructose, citric acid, lysine, aspartame, and hydrolyzed vegetable protein. It is also a food additive used to control acidity. Hydrochloric acid is used in steel pickling, leather production. In the petroleum industry, hydrochloric acid may be injected into a rock formation to make the rock more porous and stimulate oil production. Household uses include cleaning mortar from bricks, de-scaling mineral deposits from kettles, and removing metallic stains.

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Muriatic Acid or Hydrochloric Acid

Uses for Muriatic Acid or Hydrochloric Acid

People Explain How They Use Muriatic Acid

By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

 

 

Muriatic acid is another name for hydrochloric acid, which is one of the strong acids.

The product is usually between 5% and 35% hydrochloric acid in water.

Do you use muriatic acid or dilute hydrochloric acid as a household chemical?

If so, what uses do you have for it? Readers answer this question: 

Key Takeaways: Muriatic Acid Uses

Muriatic acid is a solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in water.

The acid has a distinctive pungent smell and is highly corrosive.

Muriatic acid has many commercial uses in addition to household uses. The acid reacts with other chemicals to remove stains and contaminants.

Uses for Muriatic/Hydrochloric Acid

Use it to lower the pH and total alkalinity of your swimming pool. — frd

It worked.

I used muriatic acid for tile cleaning a large number of tiles at once. It restores the tiles to a normal state. — Ifediba Paul N

Hydrochloric/ Muratic Acid

I use hydrochloric acid using a 3:1 ratio with water (acid 3 : water 1).

We just moved into a newly built house and the tiles in the bathroom are covered with grout, so I use the solution above to clean the grout off the tile.

I also use the undiluted muratic acid to clean (with a sprayer) iron off the concrete around my pool. — Anonymous

Make your own soldering flux

Dissolve pure zinc (e.g., from a dry-cell case) in muriatic acid to make your own acid flux for soldering.

Several articles via Google will show how. Be sure to follow safety hints! NOT a project for kids! —Guest tkjtkj

Disposal?

I had some old muriatic acid sitting in a room for more than a year. I noticed there was some crystals or something that looks like salt on the outside of the bottle.

I wonder if it is in fact a salt. And what is the best way to dispose of it? — forrest

muriatic acid

I use muriatic acid to melt concrete off our delivery trucks. — joe

Sometimes you just have to use it.

Some stains just won't go away with anything else. An example is manganese staining a toilet bowl.

I've got manganese in my water and the treatment tanks don't get all of it. — Al

muriatic acid

I use muriatic acid or hydrochloric acid to clean the algae growth from the bottom of my boat.

Be sure to wet the concrete well that's under and around your boat or you'll end up with with a ghost pattern of your boat.

Keep the acids away from grass and aluminum. — bob c

Cleans gunk off shower stalls, easily

It makes cleaning old shower stalls a breeze. But you have to be careful and wear gloves of course.

Also, open a window before you start using it so you have proper ventilation. Now there's no need to try to endlessly scrub away stubborn gunk.

Muriatic acid is the way to go when you have tough cleaning jobs. — Evie

Are You Kidding?

Seriously? I wouldn't have that chemical in my house or my garage! It's too dangerous.

What if a kid or a pet spilled it or something. There have to be better chemicals to use than acid. — No Way

Concrete Cleaner

I use muriatic acid to clean the yuck off of concrete. It's also good to prep it for a sealant or other treatment. — Acidzzz

Commercial Uses of Muriatic Acid

The most common household use of muriatic acid is as a descaling agent however, the chemical has many other applications.

Hydrochloric acid is used in the chemical industry to make polyvinyl chloride, which in turn is used to produce several types of plastic.

It is used to synthesize and purify both organic and inorganic compounds, regenerate ion exchange columns, perform titrations for chemical analysis, and control pH.

The acid finds use in the food industry in the production of gelatin, fructose, citric acid, lysine, aspartame, and hydrolyzed vegetable protein.

It is also a food additive used to control acidity.

Hydrochloric acid is used in steel pickling, leather production.

In the petroleum industry, hydrochloric acid may be injected into a rock formation to make the rock more porous and stimulate oil production. 

Household uses include cleaning mortar from bricks, de-scaling mineral deposits from kettles, and removing metallic stains.

Gastric acid in the human digestive tract makes use of hydrochloric acid to denature proteins and protect against pathogens.

Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Chemistry Expert

Education

Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville

B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

Introduction

Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville - Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Science educator with experience teaching chemistry, biology, astronomy, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate levels.

ThoughtCo and About Education chemistry expert since 2001.

Widely-published graphic artist, responsible for printable periodic tables and other illustrations used in science.

Experience

Anne Helmenstine, Ph.D. has covered chemistry for ThoughtCo and About Education since 2001, and other sciences since 2013. She taught chemistry, biology, astronomy, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate levels. She has worked as a research scientist and also abstracting and indexing diverse scientific literature for the Department of Energy.

In addition to her work as a science writer, Dr. Helmenstine currently serves as a scientific consultant, specializing in problems requiring an interdisciplinary approach. Previously, she worked as a research scientist and college professor. 

Education

Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a B.A. in physics and mathematics with a minor in chemistry from Hastings College. In her doctoral work, Dr. Helmenstine developed ultra-sensitive chemical detection and medical diagnostic tests.

ThoughtCo and Dotdash

ThoughtCo is a premier reference site focusing on expert-created education content. We are one of the top-10 information sites in the world as rated by comScore, a leading Internet measurement company. Every month, more than 13 million readers seek answers to their questions on ThoughtCo.

For more than 20 years, Dotdash brands have been helping people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired. We are one of the top-20 largest content publishers on the Internet according to comScore, and reach more than 30% of the U.S. population monthly. Our brands collectively have won more than 20 industry awards in the last year alone, and recently Dotdash was named Publisher of the Year by Digiday, a leading industry publication.

https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-the-acid-test-4123174

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HOW TO MAKE AQUA REGIA ACID SOLUTION - Aqua regia is an extremely corrosive mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acid, used as an etchant, for some analytical chemistry procedures, and to refine gold. Aqua regia dissolves gold, platinum, and palladium, but not the other noble metals. Here's what you need to know to prepare aqua regia and use it safely. Aqua regia is a corrosive acid mixture made by combining nitric acid and hydrochloric acid. The usual ratio of acids is 3 parts hydrochloric acid to 1 part nitric acid. When mixing the acids, it is important to add the nitric acid to the hydrochloric acid and not the other way around. Aqua regia is used to dissolve gold, platinum, and palladium. The acid mixture is unstable, so it is usually prepared in small amounts and used immediately. Aqua regia preparation involves mixing strong acids. The reaction produces heat and evolves poisonous vapors. Make and use aqua regia solution inside a fume hood, with the sash down as much as is practical to contain the vapors and protect against injury in case of splashing or glassware breakage. Prepare the minimum volume needed for your application. Make sure your glassware is clean. In particular, you don't want any organic contaminants because they can produce a vigorous or violent reaction. Avoid using any glassware that may be contaminated with a chemical containing a C-H bond.

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How to Make Aqua Regia Acid Solution

By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

 

Aqua regia is an extremely corrosive mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acid, used as an etchant, for some analytical chemistry procedures, and to refine gold.

Aqua regia dissolves gold, platinum, and palladium, but not the other noble metals.

Here's what you need to know to prepare aqua regia and use it safely.​​

Fast Facts: Aqua Regia

Aqua regia is a corrosive acid mixture made by combining nitric acid and hydrochloric acid.

The usual ratio of acids is 3 parts hydrochloric acid to 1 part nitric acid.

When mixing the acids, it is important to add the nitric acid to the hydrochloric acid and not the other way around.

Aqua regia is used to dissolve gold, platinum, and palladium.

The acid mixture is unstable, so it is usually prepared in small amounts and used immediately.

Reaction to Make Aqua Regia

Here is what happens when nitric acid and hydrochloric acid are mixed:

HNO3 (aq) + 3HCl (aq) → NOCl (g) + 2H2O (l) + Cl2 (g)

Over time, nitrosyl chloride (NOCl) will decompose into chlorine gas and nitric oxide (NO).

Nitric acid auto-oxidizes into nitrogen dioxide (NO2):

2NOCl (g) → 2NO (g) + Cl2 (g)

2NO (g) + O2 (g) → 2NO2(g)

Nitric acid (HNO3), hydrochloric acid (HCl), and aqua regia are strong acids.

Chlorine (Cl2), nitric oxide (NO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are toxic.

Aqua Regia Safety

Aqua regia preparation involves mixing strong acids.

The reaction produces heat and evolves poisonous vapors, so it's important to follow safety protocols when making and using this solution:

Make and use aqua regia solution inside a fume hood, with the sash down as much as is practical to contain the vapors and protect against injury in case of splashing or glassware breakage.

Prepare the minimum volume needed for your application.

Make sure your glassware is clean. In particular, you don't want any organic contaminants because they can produce a vigorous or violent reaction.

Avoid using any glassware that may be contaminated with a chemical containing a C-H bond.

Do not use the finished solution on any material containing an organic.

Wear safety goggles.

Wear a lab coat.

Wear gloves.

If you get drops of any of the strong acids on your skin, wipe them off immediately and rinse with lots of water.

If you spill acid on clothing, remove it immediately.

In the case of inhalation, move immediately to fresh air.

Use the eyewash and seek emergency medical attention in case of eye contact.

In the case of ingestion, rinse the mouth with water and do not induce vomiting.

Neutralize any spills with sodium bicarbonate or similar compound.

Remember, it's best to neutralize a strong acid with a weak base and not a strong base.

Prepare Aqua Regia Solution

The usual molar ratio between concentrated hydrochloric acid and concentrated nitric acid is HCl:HNO3 of 3:1.

Keep in mind, concentrated HCl is about 35%, while concentrated HNO3 is about 65%, so the volume ratio is usually 4 parts concentrated hydrochloric acid to 1 part concentrated nitric acid.

A typical total final volume for most applications is only 10 milliliters. It's unusual to mix up a large volume of aqua regia.

Add the nitric acid to the hydrochloric acid. Do not add hydrochloric to nitric!

The resulting solution with be a fuming red or yellow liquid.

It will smell strongly of chlorine (although your fume hood should protect you from this).

Dispose of leftover aqua regia by pouring it over a large amount of ice.

This mixture may be neutralized with a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution or 10% sodium hydroxide.

The neutralized solution may then be safely poured down the drain. The exception is used solution that contains heavy metals.

A heavy metal-contaminated solution needs to be disposed of according to your local regulations.

Once you have prepared aqua regia, it should be used when it's fresh. Keep the solution in a cool location.

Do not store the solution for an extended length of time because it becomes unstable.

Never store stoppered aqua regia because pressure build-up could break the container.

Another potent acid solution is called "chemical piranha."

If aqua regia isn't suitable for your needs, piranha solution may be what you need.

 

Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Chemistry Expert

Education

Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville

B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

Introduction

Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville - Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Science educator with experience teaching chemistry, biology, astronomy, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate levels.

ThoughtCo and About Education chemistry expert since 2001.

Widely-published graphic artist, responsible for printable periodic tables and other illustrations used in science.

Experience

Anne Helmenstine, Ph.D. has covered chemistry for ThoughtCo and About Education since 2001, and other sciences since 2013. She taught chemistry, biology, astronomy, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate levels. She has worked as a research scientist and also abstracting and indexing diverse scientific literature for the Department of Energy.

In addition to her work as a science writer, Dr. Helmenstine currently serves as a scientific consultant, specializing in problems requiring an interdisciplinary approach. Previously, she worked as a research scientist and college professor.

Education

Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a B.A. in physics and mathematics with a minor in chemistry from Hastings College. In her doctoral work, Dr. Helmenstine developed ultra-sensitive chemical detection and medical diagnostic tests.

ThoughtCo and Dotdash

ThoughtCo is a premier reference site focusing on expert-created education content. We are one of the top-10 information sites in the world as rated by comScore, a leading Internet measurement company. Every month, more than 13 million readers seek answers to their questions on ThoughtCo.

For more than 20 years, Dotdash brands have been helping people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired. We are one of the top-20 largest content publishers on the Internet according to comScore, and reach more than 30% of the U.S. population monthly. Our brands collectively have won more than 20 industry awards in the last year alone, and recently Dotdash was named Publisher of the Year by Digiday, a leading industry publication.

https://www.thoughtco.com/making-aqua-regia-acid-solution-603641

CAUSTIC SODA - Caustic soda is one of the common names for sodium hydroxide (NaOH). It is also known as lye, although lye may refer to either potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. Pure caustic soda is sold for making candles or soap. Impure caustic soda is found in drain cleaner. Because lye is used to make illegal drugs, it's harder to buy large quantities than in the past. However, small containers are available in stores and online. Lye is used for soap making, candle making, homemade biodiesel, frosting glass, making several foods, and for chemistry experiments. Its common name derives from its chemical identity as a sodium hydrate and because it is caustic or corrosive. Lye can be used to control pH during methamphetamine production. In pure form, caustic soda is a waxy, white solid. It readily absorbs water and forms aqueous solutions. Commercially available caustic soda or sodium hydroxide is usually sodium hydroxide monohydrate, NaOH·H2O. Keep the container sealed and away from moisture. Caustic soda absorbs and reacts with water. Keep lye away from children and pets. Touching or ingesting it can cause a potentially severe chemical burn. Use gloves or utensils to handle caustic soda.

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Caustic Soda

What Is Caustic Soda and Where Can You Get It?

By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Caustic soda is one of the common names for sodium hydroxide (NaOH), which is also known as lye.

Its common name derives from its chemical identity as a sodium hydrate and because it is caustic or corrosive.

In pure form, caustic soda is a waxy, white solid. It readily absorbs water and forms aqueous solutions. 

Commercially available caustic soda or sodium hydroxide is usually sodium hydroxide monohydrate, NaOH·H₂O.

Key Takeaways: Caustic Soda

·      Caustic soda is one of the common names for sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

·      It is also known as lye, although lye may refer to either potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide.

·      Pure caustic soda is sold for making candles or soap.

·      Impure caustic soda is found in drain cleaner.

·      Because lye is used to make illegal drugs, it's harder to buy large quantities than in the past. However, small containers are available in stores and online.

Uses of Caustic Soda or Lye

Lye is used for soap making, candle making, homemade biodiesel, frosting glass, making several foods, and for chemistry experiments.

How to Get Caustic Soda or Lye

It's much harder to get hold of lye than it used to be in the past. The main source of caustic soda was Red Devil Lye, but that product is off the market now.

Why is it hard to get lye? The reason is because it can be used to control pH during methamphetamine production.

There are still a few ways to get the chemical. Make sure the product is 100% sodium hydroxide, lye, or caustic soda.

This is especially important if you are making food, since an impure product may contain dangerous contaminants. 

Sources of lye include:

·      Drain cleaner (check the label) - e.g., Roebic Crystal Drain Cleaner, sold at Lowes

·      Sodium hydroxide from an online chemical supply store

·      Soap-making store

·      Candle-making store

·      Biodiesel supply store

Be aware, when purchasing caustic soda or lye, you may need to sign a statement that you're not using it for illegal activities. 

.
Or, you may not need to sign anything, since a credit card pretty much provides all the details needed to find you if the authorities think you're a rising drug lord.

Helpful Tips

·      Since it's relatively hard to get hold of this chemical, you may need to buy in bulk. You may be able to find other people that need the chemical to help split the cost. It's not an expensive item, but you probably don't need several pounds of it.

·      Keep the container sealed and away from moisture. Caustic soda absorbs and reacts with water.

·      Keep lye away from children and pets. Touching or ingesting it can cause a potentially severe chemical burn.

·      Use gloves or utensils to handle caustic soda.

·      Perform reactions involving this chemical in a well-ventilated room or outdoors. The reaction releases heat and noxious fumes.

Caustic Soda or Lye Substitutes

Depending on the purpose, you may be able to substitute a chemically similar strong base, potassium hydroxide (KOH).

This is a chemical you can, if you are extremely dedicated, make yourself by soaking wood ashes in water.

To do this, soak a large quantity of ashes in a small amount of water. Allow about a week for the water to extract the lye.

Drain the liquid, which contains potassium hydroxide, filter it, and boil it to concentrate the alkali.

Be careful and use gloves when handling the liquid. The project should only be performed outdoors or in a well-ventilated space.

Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Chemistry Expert

Education

Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville

B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

Introduction

Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville - Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Science educator with experience teaching chemistry, biology, astronomy, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate levels.

ThoughtCo and About Education chemistry expert since 2001.

Widely-published graphic artist, responsible for printable periodic tables and other illustrations used in science.

Experience

Anne Helmenstine, Ph.D. has covered chemistry for ThoughtCo and About Education since 2001, and other sciences since 2013. She taught chemistry, biology, astronomy, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate levels. She has worked as a research scientist and also abstracting and indexing diverse scientific literature for the Department of Energy.

In addition to her work as a science writer, Dr. Helmenstine currently serves as a scientific consultant, specializing in problems requiring an interdisciplinary approach. Previously, she worked as a research scientist and college professor. 

Education

Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a B.A. in physics and mathematics with a minor in chemistry from Hastings College. In her doctoral work, Dr. Helmenstine developed ultra-sensitive chemical detection and medical diagnostic tests.

ThoughtCo and Dotdash

ThoughtCo is a premier reference site focusing on expert-created education content. We are one of the top-10 information sites in the world as rated by comScore, a leading Internet measurement company. Every month, more than 13 million readers seek answers to their questions on ThoughtCo.

For more than 20 years, Dotdash brands have been helping people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired. We are one of the top-20 largest content publishers on the Internet according to comScore, and reach more than 30% of the U.S. population monthly. Our brands collectively have won more than 20 industry awards in the last year alone, and recently Dotdash was named Publisher of the Year by Digiday, a leading industry publication.

https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-caustic-soda-608493