At Toilet Travels we get the following question a lot: Can you use muriatic acid to clean your toilet? The short answer is yes you can, but there are a few caveats to using muriatic acid in your toilet (we certainly wouldn’t).
Over the years I’ve lived in various homes and apartments and I’ve always had issues keeping the toilet clean. If you’re like me, cleaning the toilet is a hassle and it’s something to avoid.
Throughout this blog I share information on all-things toilets. I’ve used many different cleaners – each with different success – and I share my experiences with you.
I’ve used muriatic acid in the past and although I would advise against it, muriatic acid could help in cleaning your toilet. Let’s discuss the acid and how it can be used.
What Is Muriatic Acid
Muriatic acid is a strong chemical that many people haven’t heard of. You might recognize its other name, Hydrochloric acid (Hydronium chloride) which was discovered, from rock salt and iron sulfate, around the year 800AD. It must be pressurized or kept cool otherwise the acid can turn into a gas.
These days Hydrochloric acid and Muriatic acid are labeled and sold separately in different concentrations.
- Muriatic acid has a 20-32% concentration
- Hydrochloric acid is stronger at a 38% concentration
Both of these solutions can be purchased as cleaning agents for household use and recommendations advise to dilute (add water) to the acid before using.
How Is Muriatic Acid Used
Muriatic Acid is mainly used in industry to refine metal and remove rust. It is also used to process leather, clean homes, construction, and in oil production.
In your local home improvement store you’ll find it in the paint section where it’s commonly purchased to clean concrete and bricks. It can help remove paint from brick and remove excess mortar.
It can also help clean grout and other hard surfaces. For hard surfaces the acid is applied using a brush or end of a broom.
Instructions for muriatic acid advise users to dilute the acid with water (usually 24 ounces of muriatic acid per gallon). This stuff is strong and hazardous!
Dangers Of Using Muriatic Acid In Your Home
Muriatic acid is corrosive in nature. This means it eats away at items it comes into contact with.
If in contact with humans muriatic acid can damage the respiratory system, eyes, skin, and organs. Because it can turn into a gas it can create breathing problems if kept inside the home.
Reasons To Use Muriatic Acid To Clean Your Toilet
If you have stubborn spots on your toilet Muriatic acid will definitely help remove them. Muriatic acid works for toilet bowl rings, rust and other unslightly marks that can’t be removed with simple cleaning solutions.
Do This Before You Use Muriatic Acid To Clean Your Toilet
I’ve cleaned a lot of toilets and I find that vinegar, baking soda, and a pumice stone work great for removing toilet bowl rings. You might be thinking “I’ve already tried that”.
Here is my approach:
- Gently use a toilet brush to scrub the toilet bowl
- Add 2 cups of white distilled vinegar to the bowel and lightly scrub with the toilet brush (make sure the vinegar gets on all parts of the bowl)
- Let sit for a few hours thing scrub again with the vinegar in the toilet bowl
- Scrub once more before going to sleep and let sit overnight
- In the morning use the brush, then lightly rub the pumice stone agains the ring (you should be able to feel the buildup against the pumice stone and it should slowly wear off)
- Flush the toilet
The important thing to consider is that vinegar needs TIME to eat away at the build up. 1-3 hours just isn’t enough time to work. Make sure you let the vinegar sit in the bowl overnight.
The pumice stone is the final step after the vinegar has done it’s job. This is a chemical free alternative to muriatic acid and it has always worked for me.
Why I Avoid Muriatic Acid To Clean My Toilets
Muriatic acid is available at home improvement stores and it’s an option to clean your toilet. However, I avoid the chemical at all costs. Here are my reasons:
- Strong chemical
- Can turn to gas and cause breathing problems for the entire family (especially those with asthma)
- Can damage skin, eyes, flooring, and anything it touches
- Can damage the toilet and pipes if you use too much or use too often
- The Environmental Protection Agency rates Hydrochloric acid as a “toxic substance”
- Bad for the environment (even when you flush the toilet)
If You Must Use Muriatic Acid To Clean Your Toilet
- Follow the directions on the container carefully
- Use in small amounts
- Wear gloves
- Wear a mask so you don’t breath the fumes
- Wear glasses
- Keep the bathroom fan
- Immediately clean up any splash (it will corrode flooring too)
- Do not use repetitively (1 time use only)
Final Thoughts On Muriatic Acid
Muriatic acid is a legal chemical that you can find in most home improvement stores. It has important uses in industry and as a cleaning agent and it’s an option that will help clean your toilet.
There are a lot of cleaning products on the market and many of them are natural. Options like vinegar, baking soda, citric acid, and a pumice stone are all great alternatives that remove buildup from toilets and won’t harm the environment when flushed.
Vinegar and baking soda need time to show results. If you add them to a toilet bowl make sure you scrub multiple times and let soak overnight. A final scrub with a pumice stone always does the trick for me.
If you must use muriatic acid then do-so responsibly. Use a tiny amount and wear gloves, a mask, and glasses. Follow the directions carefully. Make sure the bathroom fan is on. When storing muriatic acid it’s best to store in a cool place in the garage (or outside the house).
