Muriatic acid also referred to as hydrochloric acid, is a powerful acid. In addition to being a powerful cleaning agent, muriatic acid can also be very dangerous when mixed with water. Millions of homeowners and businesses deal with this hazardous substance every year.
If you have muriatic acid around your house, you should know how to properly dispose of it. Some of the most common ways to dispose of muriatic acid include pouring it into the pool, cleaning the toilet, or recycling it.
In this blog post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about disposing of muriatic acid safely.
Why Should You Dispose Of Muriatic Acid?
Muriatic acid is a highly corrosive and toxic substance that can be extremely dangerous to human health if not handled properly. Whenever it comes into direct contact with the skin, muriatic acid can cause irritation, burning, redness, and rashes.
As a result of inhaling the gas released from muriatic acid, serious damage can be done to the nose, throat, and lungs. Coughing, sore throat, and chest pain are also common symptoms of exposure to muriatic acid gas.
Another reason to dispose of muriatic acid is that it is a strong acid and can easily eat through metal. If you spill muriatic acid on a metal surface, it will quickly eat through the metal and create a hole. This can be very dangerous, especially if the metal is part of a structure that supports a lot of weight.
In order to prevent harm from muriatic acid, it is important to properly dispose of it.
Safety Precautions To Take For Disposing of Muriatic Acid
Following are some safety precautions to take when disposing of muriatic acid:
- To protect your eyes from the acid’s corrosive nature, wear safety glasses.
- Wear an appropriate respiratory face mask to avoid inhaling the fumes.
- Make sure that the area is well-ventilated to avoid the build-up of dangerous fumes.
- Handle the acid with gloves to protect your skin from burns.
- It is never a good idea to come into direct contact with muriatic acid, as it can cause severe burns.
If you follow these safety precautions, you can help to protect yourself and others from the dangers of muriatic acid.
How to Dispose of Muriatic Acid? 6 Best Ways
There are a number of dangers associated with muriatic acid, which is a highly corrosive chemical. The different variants of muriatic acid solutions and their compatibility with different substances can be seen here. You should take proper precautions when disposing of this chemical if you have it in your home. Here are some tips for safely disposing of muriatic acid:
1. Pouring into the Pool
One of the best and simplest ways to dispose of muriatic acid is by pouring it into a pool or body of water. Diluting the acid and reducing its concentration will help reduce its concentration.
Keeping your pool’s water balanced is essential if you have one. The chlorine levels need to be just right, and the pH levels need to be in check. Sometimes, you may find that you have too much muriatic acid left over. If this is the case, you can dispose of it by pouring it into your pool.
You will be able to balance out the pH levels in your pool by doing this. When the chlorine levels are too high, the acid will neutralize the water and help to bring the pH levels back into balance. This is a simple and easy way to dispose of your leftover muriatic acid, and it will help to keep your pool water healthy and balanced.
2. Through a Local Hazardous Waste Facility
When it comes to disposing of muriatic acid, one of the best available options is to take it to a local hazardous waste facility. This is especially true if you have large quantities of the acid to dispose of.
There are many benefits to using a local hazardous waste facility for disposing of muriatic acid. The biggest benefit is that acid can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way. This is because the facility will properly dispose of the acid in a way that will not harm the environment.
Another benefit of using a local hazardous waste facility is that it is cost-effective. Rather than having to dispose of the acid yourself, you will be able to save money. Additionally, the facility may even offer to pick up the acid for you, which will save you even more money.
3. Acid Wash Your Concrete with Muriatic Acid
Muriatic acid can be used to clean concrete and other masonry surfaces. As the acid reacts with the surface, dirt, mold, and mildew that have built up over time are broken down.
Muriatic acid is a powerful acid that can be used for cleaning a variety of surfaces. It’s especially effective at cleaning concrete because it can penetrate deep into the pores of the concrete and break up any dirt or grime that is embedded there.
Cleaning with muriatic acid is simple. Just mix up a solution of 1/4 muriatic acid and 3/4 water, and use it to scrub the concrete surface. Rinse the mixture with a pressure washer after it has sat for 10-15 minutes.
You’ll be amazed at how clean your concrete surfaces will look after using this method.
4. Clean your toilet
A good way to eliminate muriatic acid is by cleaning your toilet with it. However, it is important to use it properly and dispose of it properly afterward.
The first step is to mix the acid with water, using a ratio of 1 part acid to 10 parts water. Once the mixture is mixed, pour it into the toilet bowl, making sure to cover the entire surface. Allow the mixture to sit for 45-60 minutes.
After that, flush the toilet and then scrub the bowl with proper cleaning gloves. By doing this, you will ensure that the toilet is clean and free of any germs or chemicals that can harm your health.
5. Use Muriatic Acid as a Pool Filter Cleaner
Muriatic acid can be used to clean surfaces such as pool filters, removing built-up dirt and debris and leaving them clean and functional.
Here are some ways to clean pool filters with muriatic acid:
1. Begin by turning off your pool’s pump and removing the filter from the housing.
2. The next step is to mix one part of muriatic acid with five parts of water.
3. Soak your filter in the solution for at least 50 minutes.
4. After the soak time is up, rinse your filter thoroughly with clean water.
5. Reassemble your filter and turn your pool’s pump back on.
Keeping your pool filter clean and functioning properly is easy with muriatic acid. Plus, it’s a great way to extend the life of your filter. So, if your filter is looking dirty, give muriatic acid a try.
6. Recycle
The best option is to recycle it. A few companies specialize in recycling muriatic acid. They will take your used acid and neutralize it so it can be safely disposed of.
The process is simple. You just need to contact a recycling company and they will come to your home or business and pick up the acid. They will then take it back to their facility and recycle it in any way.
Recycling muriatic acid is the best way to dispose of it. It is safe and it helps to protect the environment.
Don’ts While Disposing Muriatic Acid
Here are some things you should avoid doing when disposing of muriatic acid.
1. It is never a good idea to flush muriatic acid down the drain.
This acid is extremely corrosive and can damage sewerage and drainage systems. When it is poured into storm drains or other drainage pipes that lead to large bodies of water, it can be harmful to aquatic life.
2. Do not mix muriatic acid with other chemicals.
Mixing muriatic acid with other chemicals is a bad idea because it is a very powerful acid. Creating a chemical reaction like this can create a dangerous chemical reaction that could be harmful to people and the environment.
3. Do not pour muriatic acid into the city’s water supply.
Muriatic acid can be extremely harmful if it gets into the city’s water supply. This can cause serious health problems for people who drink the water.
How to Neutralize Muriatic Acid?
Neutralizing muriatic acid is a very important step when disposing of it. This will help to make sure that the acid is no longer corrosive and doesn’t cause any damage to people or the environment.
Method 1: Dilute Muriatic Acid With Baking Soda
If you have muriatic acid that is already diluted, you can neutralize it by adding baking soda to the solution. The ratio of baking soda to acid should be 1:1. So, for every 1 cup of muriatic acid, you would add 1 cup of baking soda.
Once you have added the baking soda, you can stir the solution and then dispose of it in a safe way.
Method 2: Dilute Muriatic Acid With Water
The best way to neutralize muriatic acid is to dilute it with water. Try to do this in a well-ventilated place. It is possible to be exposed to hazardous fumes.
Using 3 gallons of water, add 1/4 cup of muriatic acid. Stir the solution after adding the water, then dispose of it safely once it has been stirred. Wear acid-resistant gloves, goggles, masks, and other protective equipment.
Is Muriatic Acid Recyclable?
The answer is yes, you can recycle muriatic acid, but you need to be careful about how you do it.
You can contact a recycling company that takes care of hazardous substances. There are a few companies that specialize in recycling muriatic acid. They will be able to give you instructions on how to safely recycle your acid. You can check the recycling company online also.
It can also be recycled by contacting your city’s local Hazardous Waste Disposal facility. They will be able to tell you where you can take the acid to be recycled.
You can recycle it at home by using it for house cleaning purposes.
Can you drain down the Muriatic Acid?
The answer is no, you cannot drain down the Muriatic Acid. When Muriatic Acid is poured directly down your drain, it can easily rust and ruin your drainage pipes because it is a strong and highly reactive acid.
To prevent damage to your home, you should dilute Muriatic Acid properly with water before disposing of it.
Uses of Muriatic Acid
Muriatic acid has been used in a variety of industries for many years. Today, it is still an important chemical in many different applications. Here are some of the most common uses for muriatic acid:
1. Food Processing
Muriatic acid is often used in food processing applications. It can be used to adjust the pH of foods, as well as to kill bacteria and other microorganisms.
2. Oil and Gas Well Acidizing
Muriatic acid is also used in oil and gas well acidizing. This process involves injecting acid into the well to dissolve minerals and improve the flow of oil and gas.
3. Chemical Production
Chemical production also uses muriatic acid. In addition to producing hydrochloric acid, it can be used to produce other chemicals.
4. Steel Pickling
It is also used for pickling steel with muriatic acid. This process involves immersing steel in an acid bath to remove impurities.
You can see a study on muriatic acid (Aqueous Hydrochloric Acid) by Westlake chemical on its uses, properties, production, chemical information etc.
How to Safely Store Muriatic Acid?
It is important to keep a few key things in mind when storing muriatic acid safely. First and foremost, it’s important to make sure that the area in which the acid is being stored is well-ventilated. This is to ensure that any fumes that may be emitted from the acid are quickly and safely dispersed.
In addition, it’s important to keep the acid in a dry and cool place. This will help to prevent any accidental spillage or evaporation of the acid. It’s also a good idea to keep the acid in an acid-resistant container, such as a high or low-density polyethylene container. This will help to ensure that the acid doesn’t eat away at the container, potentially causing a leak.
Finally, it’s important to make sure that the container is sealed tight and that there are no leaks or damage to the container. By following these simple tips, you can safely store muriatic acid.
FAQs
Will Muriatic Acid Eat Through Plastic?
No, muriatic acid will not eat through plastic. However, it is important to note that some plastics are not suitable for storing muriatic acids such as ABS, polypropylene, and polycarbonate. You can check plastics and their usage for muriatic acid here.
Are plastic containers safe to store muriatic acid in?
Yes, plastic containers are safe to store muriatic acid. Examples of some of the safe plastic containers are:
– Polytetrafluoroethylene – Teflon (PTFE).
– Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
– High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
How to dispose of empty muriatic acid containers?
Empty muriatic acid containers can be disposed of by following these steps: The first thing you need to do is make sure the container is empty. If there is even a drop of muriatic acid left in the container, it will be extremely corrosive and dangerous. Once you have verified that the container is empty, you can proceed to the next step.
The next thing you need to do is rinse the container out with water. This will help to neutralize any residual acid that may be in the container and make it safe to handle. Once you have rinsed the container out, you can proceed to the next step.
The next thing you need to do is take the container to your local recycling center. Most recycling centers will have a designated area for hazardous materials. Here you will be able to safely dispose of the container.
Will Vinegar Neutralize Muriatic Acid?
No, vinegar cannot neutralize muriatic acid. A base must be used to neutralize an acid; an acid cannot neutralize the acid. As mentioned above, baking soda is a base that neutralizes acids. You can see the PubMed Central study on acid neutralizing capacity.
Conclusion
Using muriatic acid requires extreme caution because it is such a powerful chemical. When it comes to disposing of muriatic acid, the different methods are given above. You can follow any of the disposing methods to dilute the acid or recycling in the usual way. Alternatively, you can use baking soda or another base substance to neutralize the acid before disposal. Following these tips will help you to safely and effectively dispose of muriatic acid.
Gemma Alexander has an M.S. in urban horticulture and a backyard filled with native plants. After working in a genetics laboratory and at a landfill, she now writes about the environment and recycling topics.