Using Muriatic Acid to Clean Concrete [3 Directions To Follow]


Concrete walls and walkways are attractive and durable. But to keep them attractive you have to clean them properly. That’s where you might think of using an acid-based cleaning item such as muriatic acid. 

Are you planning to use muriatic acid to clean concrete?

There are mainly 3 directions to using muriatic acid to clean concrete. First, gather the necessary equipment and supplies. This is a must to work with muriatic acid. Then you have to mix the acid with water and create a safe acid-water solution. Finally, the last part is to clean up properly and safely.  

Make sure to go through our piece if you have time. We’ve mentioned the steps in detail on how to use muriatic acid!

Stick with us to know more and use muriatic acid properly!

Why Should You Use Muriatic Acid?

Muriatic acid is the hydrogen gas dissolved in water which is the basic hydrochloric acid. 

Muriatic acid is one of the most powerful abrasive cleaners. Because this cleaner is acid-based. A slightly milder household bleach or pool chlorine are other choices, but they’re not as effective as muriatic acid.

Muriatic acid is an excellent cleaner for concrete walls and floors. This acid can clean both poured concrete and concrete blocks. It can also kill molds easily. Muriatic acid can even be used to remove tenacious mold and mildew.

This is why to clean your concrete walls, try using muriatic acid!

Is It Safe Using Muriatic Acid To Clean Concrete?

Now, you must not forget a few things about muriatic acid! The acid is quite dangerous for children and even for adults.  

Whoever deals with this acid must have proper safety measures. They should also follow proper directions. This is the only safe way to use muriatic acid to clean concrete. Otherwise, you can burn your skin and even damage your concrete.

Directions for Using Muriatic Acid To Clean Concrete

As we have mentioned, using muriatic acid can be helpful and useful. The concrete wall can become super shiny by cleaning them with acid. You can hang pictures on that spot to make your concrete walls more aesthetic. 

Curious to know how to use muriatic acid now?

The directions to clean concrete using this acid are discussed below-

Direction 1: Getting The Equipment & Supplies 

You might forget your safety measure working in general. However, this is not acceptable with this acid.

You ought to protect your arms and legs while working with this strong chemical. To have proper safety measures, wear long sleeves and long pants. 

You might wonder what would be the best sleeves for it. So, we’ve got suggestions for you!

Product 1
Product 2

These products are highly resistible with proper measures required for this type of action. You can believe in these two products undoubtedly.

We’re getting back to the direction again. Wear outdated clothes that you can throw away once the project is over. You might also look for disposable coveralls that are acid-resistant. You might be able to find these at home improvement or a local hardware store.

Hands and forearms should be protected with acid-resistant gloves. You’ll also need a respirator that has an acid-resistant filter. If you’re not wearing a full-face respirator, don’t forget to wear goggles.

Before you begin, cover any nearby vegetation or outdoor furniture with plastic. Make sure to cool water, in case of spills or splashes.

Direction 2: Mixing And Applying The Solution

You must dilute the muriatic acid with water before using it. 1 cup of acid to 1 gallon of water is the easiest dilution to remember. Mix 1 part acid to 10 parts water if you need a stronger solution. 

Always put the acid in the water, not the other way around. Otherwise, a heat reaction will occur. This will cause the solution to burp out of the container.

By the way, we must warn you about something regarding this solution. Some people attempt to use this solution to clean fake stainless steel. But this is highly discouraged.

Now, let’s get back to the steps-

Half-fill your container with cold water. Slowly pour in the muriatic acid while wearing complete safety gear.

Soak the areas that need to be cleaned using a sprayer. Clean the concrete with a brush. For stubborn stains or oil, scrub with a stiff, wire-bristle brush. 

After the stains are removed, thoroughly rinse the area with cool water. Then allow it to dry for an hour or so. 

If the muriatic acid spills, cover it with a thick coating of garden lime. A chemical reaction will occur, causing the area to bubble and fizz. The spill can be washed away once the fizzing has stopped entirely.

Direction 3: Cleaning Up Stuff Properly And Safely

Muriatic acid can chew through pipes, causing rubber seals and solder to disintegrate. So, do not pour it down the sink, storm drain, or toilet. 

You can use the hazardous waste disposal system of your community if you have one. You can also neutralize the muriatic acid before throwing it out.

These are the directions and steps you need to go through to use muriatic acid. Make sure you don’t take any chances with this powerful acid.


Question: Does muriatic acid damage concrete?
Answer: It’s quite unpredictable and inconsistent, resulting in uneven and under-etched surfaces. Muriatic acid, which is used to clean concrete and bricks, is extremely caustic. Because it might burn the installer’s skin. It also emits gases that might cause respiratory damage.

Question: Can I put muriatic acid in a pressure washer?
Answer: Muriatic acid is commonly used to clean concrete manually. This corrosive substance eats away at the seals and metals that make up your equipment. For small-scale cleaning, a cover or berm on the nearest storm drain may suffice.

Question: Is using muriatic acid and hydrochloric acid the same?
Answer: Muriatic acid is a kind of hydrochloric acid with a pH range of 1 to 2. The sole difference between muriatic acid and hydrochloric acid is its purity. Muriatic acid is diluted to a concentration of 14.5 to 29 percent. It frequently contains contaminants such as iron.

Final Words

We hope our directions would be really helpful for you. This is how you must be using muriatic acid to clean concrete

Just maintain the safety precautions and good luck working with muriatic acid!

Richard Allen