How to remove Acid Stains

            Working around the house or garage can leave behind its unpleasant consequences. Although there is a fulfilling satisfaction of having your work done but more than often you end up with stains of some sort and acid stains are one of the most frequent stains. These stains can either be a result of battery acid oozing out from cracked batteries or may be a consequence of tampering with various machines. Moreover, these stains can also be the remnants of natural acids such as vinegar or lemon.

          A myriad of surfaces can be affected from acid and can be discolored as a corollary. Acid being a very strong chemical agent can not only adversely affect clothes, rather it can also have a negative impact on concrete, marble, tiles and stain less steel. The good news is that the damage done by acid can be reversed and the surface can be restored to its original, clean and stain-free state. All you have to do is follow the directions given below appropriately and embark upon an adequate stain removal method as quickly as you can, hopefully acid stains will become a part of history, best forgotten.

Method One (For the Removal of Acid Stains from Clothes)

       There are two ways to deal with an acid, either you can neutralize its effect or if it is a stubborn stain, then you can go for a through stain removal method. Neutralizing acid is pretty simple; all you have to do is make sure that you make it react it with a base such as baking soda. However, the latter step is kind of tricky and hereby we would be elaborating this very acid stain removal method for you.

Things that you will require:

·      Ammonia

·      Cold water

·      Cloth/rag/towel

·      Liquid dish washing soap

·      Tub

·      Warm water

·      Vinegar

·      Water

Steps that you need to take:

1.  First of all, you need to make a cleaning solution by thoroughly combining 1 cup of water with two table spoons of ammonia.

2.  Next, using a cloth or a sponge, apply this cleaning solution onto the acid stained area.

3.  Let this cleaning solution sit on the stain for some time, approximately 3 to 5 minutes, so that it can carry out its cleansing action effectively.

4.  Afterwards, take hold of a dry towel and use it to blot the stained area. Re-apply the ammonia solution and continue blotting until you observe a visible difference in the stain’s intensity.

5.  If the stain still persists, then you can pour some liquid dish soap in a warm water tub and soak the stained garment into this water for almost half an hour.

6.  Later, launder the garment like you usually do.

7.    In order to make sure that no acid (rust-like) stains are left behind, you can also consider rinsing the garment with a vinegar solution comprising of ½ cup of white vinegar in a tub of water.

8.  Eventually, launder the garment again and allow it to air dry.

Tips and Warnings:

1.  In order to neutralize the acid stain, if it is dried, you can make a baking soda paste with water and apply it onto the stained area.

2.  Always make sure that you are wearing gloves while treating acid stains.

In order to learn more about acid stain removal methods for clothes, click here.

Method Two (For the Removal of Acid Stains from Concrete)

        Acid stains can frequently blight your drive ways or garages. It is vital that you treat these stains as swiftly as possible and get rid of them because otherwise acid can severely damage your concrete surface and eat it away.

Things that you will require:

·      Sweep Broom

·      Bleach

·      Spray bottle

·      Hard, bristle brush

·      Hose

·      Container

·      Baking soda

Steps that you need to take:

1.  Before embarking upon the stain removal method, you need to sweep away any dirt or debris from your concrete surface.

2.  Next, take hold of a spray bottle and fill it up with chlorine bleach. Spritz this chlorine bleach onto the acid stained area in such a manner that it is covered entirely.

3.  Allow the bleach to sit onto the stain for a few minutes, approximately three to five.

4.  Afterwards, start working onto this stain with a hard, bristle brush. You can continue this process of applying bleach, allowing it to set and then scrubbing it until the stain starts fading away.

5.  However, if the stain is obstinate and tends to persist, then in such a scenario you need to apply muriatic acid onto the acid stained area. Make sure that you pay heed to the manufacturer’s instructions.

6.  Once this is done, take a hose and run down all the acid traces with water. Yet you need to be very careful regarding its disposal. Make sure that you collect all this acid-containing water in a container so that this hazardous stuff doesn’t make its way to the general drains.

7.  Eventually, sprinkle some baking soda onto the previously stained area, so that any remaining  traces of acid might be neutralized.

Tips and Warnings:

       It is vital to put on protective gloves and goggles before treating acid stains as all three ingredients involved in this process namely battery acid, muriatic acid and chlorine bleach tend to be dangerous.

Click here, to find out more about acid stain removal methods for concrete.

Method Three (For the Removal of Acid Stains from Marble)

        Toilet cleaner or acids of the like kind can very often be accidentally spilled onto your bathroom floors and harm its marble flooring. In order to make sure that these acids are effectively removed and that no potential harm is done, you need to embark upon the following stain removal method.

Things that you will require:

·      Baking soda

·      Water

·      Diluted 10% ammonia

·      Cotton ball/pad

·      Clean cloth

Steps that you need to take:

1.  There are two ways to treat this acid stain on marble surface. If the stain happens to be fresh, then you can directly sprinkle baking soda on it. Baking soda will neutralize the acid culminating in its effective removal.

2.  On the other hand, if the stain is an old one, then you will have to make a baking soda paste. Combine baking soda with water and make a paste of thick consistency. Apply this paste onto the acid stained area and allow it to stay there for some time so that it can carry out its cleansing effect satisfactorily.

3.  Afterwards, take hold of a clean cloth and wipe away the paste. The application of this baking soda paste can be repeated if required.

4.  Hopefully, by this time the stain would have been gone; however if it still persists then you can  take 10% diluted ammonia and using a cotton pad, moisten the acid stained area with this ammonia which is also a base and would carry out a neutralizing reaction with the acid.

5.  Finally, rinse the area thoroughly so that no traces of acid or cleaning agents might be left behind.

Tips and Warnings:

1.  Never moisten the area prior to the application of base as water would activate the acid again.

2.  Do not fret if the area starts foaming or bubbling when acid combines with base. This is merely an indication of the reaction taking place.

Acid Stains can have an adverse effect on plenty of other surfaces and similarly there are plenty of ways to deal with these stains. Click here, to learn more about such acid stain removal methods for marble.

Method Four (For the Removal of Acid Stains from Tiles)

             Acid Stains are equally harmful for both marble and tiles. The best way to get rid of acid stains is to avoid using acidic cleaners or any such substances on your floors that might be acidic in nature. Moreover, the impact of acid on various tiles varies. Make sure that you get glazed tiles with a high acid resistance. Yet, even if your tiles do get stained with acid, the following method will enable you to get rid of those acid stained areas.

Things that you will require:

·      Hydrogen per oxide

·      Spray bottle

·      Clean cloth

·      Muriatic acid

·      Water

Steps that you need to take:

1.  First of all, you need to take a spray bottle and fill it up with hydrogen per oxide. Spritz this per oxide onto the stained area so that it is entirely covered. Allow it to sit there for a few minutes.

2.  After a few minutes, blot the stain with a clean cloth and eventually wipe it off.

3.  You can continue this process of applying and blotting as per the requirement of the stain.

4.  If the stain refuses to budge despite this application of hydrogen per oxide, then you can use muriatic acid as a last resort.

5.  Apply it onto the acid stain according to the manufacturer’s instructions and after a few minutes wipe it off.

6.  Eventually, rinse the surface thoroughly so that all traces of acid might be removed along with bleach and muriatic acid.

 Warning:

Make sure that you wear protective gloves before using muriatic acid as it can be pretty dangerous for your skin.

To learn more about acid stain removal methods for tiles, click here.

Method Five (For the Removal of Acid Stains from Stainless Steel)

          Although stainless steel is such a surface which hardly incurs any stains, yet acid leaves its blighting mark upon it. To get rid of any acid stains which might mar your stainless steel sinks or any other surfaces, embark upon the following cleaning method.

Things that you will require:

·      Gloves

·      Mask

·      Baking soda

·      Water

·      Bowl

·      Ammonia

·      Towel

Steps that you need to take:

1.  The first step deals with the making of a cleaning paste. To make this paste first of all, you will have to take a bowl and mix baking soda and water in it.

2.  Once the paste is made, apply it onto the acid stained area.

3.  If the steel’s surface is rough you can increase the amount of water so that the consistency of this paste becomes thin. This is done so that this cleaning paste might reach everywhere within the cracks as well.

4.  If the stain doesn’t get out of the surface despite this baking soda paste, apply some ammonia too with baking soda again.

5.  Leave these two ingredients lying onto the surface for some time and then wipe them off with the help of a clean towel.

6.  Eventually, rinse the surface with clean water.

Tips and Warnings:

1.    Make sure that you do not spill any chemicals involved in this method, particularly ammonia as it is a strong base.

2.    Wear protective gloves and mask before embarking upon this cleaning jaunt.

To know more about acid stain removal methods for stainless steel, click here.