For many years it has been the standard cleaning method to prepare concrete for coatings installations to remove stains of any type from concrete and to remove concrete slurry or efflorescence from bricks.
Muriatic acid oil stain concrete.
While some stains can be rinsed away with a pressure washer tougher stains such as rust require an acid based cleaner like muriatic acid.
The center for disease control recommends that you use a respirator specifically designed for hydrochloric acid a chemical resistant suit gloves face shield and goggles.
You should see a gray stain.
Scrub the gray stain with a solution of 1 cup liquid chlorine bleach 1 cup powdered laundry detergent and 1 gallon of very hot water.
Mixing ammonia with bleach creates a lethal gas similar to mustard gas.
How to apply muriatic acid.
Muriatic acid is highly corrosive and must be used with caution.
Make sure the detergent you use is ammonia free.
How to use muriatic acid to clean concrete.
Despite its effectiveness muriatic acid should be used on concrete stains only if you ve tried gentler alternatives to no avail.
Before you remove stains from your driveway make sure to thoroughly protect yourself.
Using acid is dangerous.
Muriatic acid creates and acidic vapor that can suffocate you quickly.
The most common acids used to clean concrete and bricks are hydrochloric acid muriatic or phosphoric acid.