Acid cleaning removes discoloration and oxidation from metals or masonry. It’s used to keep new brick walls, concrete sidewalks, and metal warehouses clean. Mild acid cleaners like acetic acid and citric acid are used for household cleaning, while strong acid cleaners like muriatic acid are used for tougher stains. Protective gear is necessary when working with acid.
Acid cleaning is a process used to remove various types of discoloration and oxidation from metals or masonry. This type of cleaning method is commonly employed to keep new brick walls, concrete sidewalks, and metal warehouses clean and looking new. Some forms of this type of cleaning also take place in the home as a means of removing oxidation or hard water stains from various surfaces. Depending on the material to be cleaned and the type of stains present, the cleaning acid used can be strong or delicate.
The exact acid cleaning methods vary depending on the situation. Items like metal cookware can be soaked in a combination of water and some type of acidic cleaner to remove food stains. When cleaning walls or walkways, the approach usually involves using a steady stream of water as part of the scrubbing process. You can also coat the surface with a cleaner, let it harden for a short time, then scrub the surface to remove the tarnish or stain.
Mild acid cleaners are often used to handle household cleaning tasks. Acetic acid and citric acid are found in many of the common cleaners designed to dissolve hard water stains on shower walls and doors, as well as remove rust stains from porcelain. Similar products that contain cream of tartar can be used to clean brass and copper cookware, candlesticks, and other accessories with relative ease.
Strong acid cleaners are used when the tarnish or stain is more resistant. These compounds usually contain muriatic acid, sulfuric acid, sodium bisulfate, or some combination of the three. Acidic cleaners of this type are effective when scrubbing concrete, acid cleaning aluminum or brick, or dealing with stubborn stains in a toilet bowl. Depending on the amount of dilution that takes place with the acid, it may be necessary to apply the product more than once to completely cleanse the area.
With any type of acid cleaning project, it’s important to protect your body from contact with the acidic product itself. This may mean wearing protective gloves and possibly taking the time to use goggles over your eyes. Because some products can whiten fabrics, it’s generally a good idea to wear old clothes when cleaning. If working with acid in an enclosed area, it is often a good practice to also use a face mask, to prevent inhalation of fumes. While most acids are safe to use with proper precautions, failure to use proper protection can cause physical discomfort to your eyes and skin.
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