Cleaning Toilet With Hydrochloric Acid: Tips and Precautions

Effective toilet cleaning can be difficult. This is especially true with rust, mineral deposits, and hard water. Regular cleansers can maintain the surface. However, more robust solutions are often needed for more challenging deposits.

Hydrochloric acid is a powerful cleaner that can remove even the toughest stains from toilet bowls if applied correctly. But, due to its strong corrosiveness, particular safety measures must be taken. 

We will discuss how to clean toilets safely with hydrochloric acid. We will also discuss when to use this and what precautions and safety measures are necessary.

Understanding Hydrochloric Acid and Its Impact

Hydrochloric acid is a strong and corrosive acid. It is frequently used in domestic items, metal processing, and industrial cleaning. This acid is famous for removing rust, mineral deposits, and hard water stains.

It is a powerful toilet cleaner and stain remover in terms of bathroom cleaning. Commercial acidic toilet cleaners frequently contain it, usually diluted to safe proportions.

Hydrochloric acid has exceptionally low pH levels(2.9 to 3.01) and a concentration of up to 38% HCl. 

Due to its extremely acidic nature, it is highly acidic and reactive with different materials. For example, metals and porous surfaces. 

In household cleaning goods, it is sometimes called muriatic acid, a less pure variant of hydrochloric acid. Although they have different names, both acids are used for cleaning in a similar way.

When to Use Hydrochloric Acid for Toilet Cleaning: The Benefits

We suggest using a regular toilet cleaner to clean your toilet. But when regular cleaning agents fail, you can use hydrochloric acid. 

Here, we have discussed when and why you can use this strong acidic cleaner to clean your toilet. 

Tough Toilet Stain Removal

Sometimes, stubborn rust, stains, mineral deposits, and other discolouration can build up on your toilet bowl. Regular toilet cleaners may not be able to remove these. In these situations, hydrochloric acid is the right solution. 

Toilet Descaling

Hard water leaves behind scales, especially limescale and other mineral deposits. These build up over time. Hydrochloric acid ensures cleaning of hard water stains. 

The acid breaks down the scales, makes the surface clean, and the build-ups are gone. 

Targeted Cleaning

If any area of the toilet bowl is neglected over time and has heavy stains and buildup, acidic acid will clean that heavy buildup. 

Aside from these, hydrochloric acid will kill bacteria and germs. This will ultimately provide a thorough disinfection to your toilet bowl. 

Acid Cleaning Precautions and Risk Management Tips 

When using hydrochloric acid to clean your toilet, you must top-prioritise your safety, as well as toilet’s safety. Since hydrochloric acid is effective in cleaning, its acidic nature poses risks. 

Here are the risks and how you will manage them. 

Skin and Eye Burns

Hydrochloric acid is highly acidic. It will cause serious burns and irritation to your skin and eyes if contacted directly. So, wear clothing that doesn’t reveal any part of your body. 

Use acid-resistant gloves and goggles to minimise the skin contact risks. 

Proper Ventilation for Fumes

Make sure ventilating the bathroom when using hydrochloric acid. Because hydrochloric acid releases fumes. These fumes can irritate your respiratory system. 

Move away from the area and inhale some fresh air if you begin to feel dizzy or have trouble breathing.

Corrosion to Metal 

Hydrochloric acid is among the corrosive cleaners. It has the ability to corrode metal components. For example, the toilet flush mechanism, bolts, and other elements. If you overuse it, it can also erode the plumbing system. Always completely flush to get rid of any leftover acid after using.

Damage to Surface

Porcelain is resistant to many kinds of harm. Because it is made with high heat, around 1200℃ to 1400℃. 

The mixture of fine kaolins and clays with such heat gives it extraordinary hardness, compactness, sintering, and non-porousness. But still, repeated exposure to hydrochloric acid can erode it.

So, you should consider carefully how frequently you clean your toilet with acid. Ensure cleaning porcelain safety by using hydrochloric acid occasionally. Use it only for stubborn buildup and stain cleaning. 

For regular toilet maintenance, a gentle cleaner can achieve the expected level of cleanliness. 

Step-By-Step Process for Cleaning Toilet With Hydrochloric Acid

Follow the steps below to clean your toilet with hydrochloric acid for an effective and safe cleaning. 

Sep 1: Dilute the Acid

If you are using a highly concentrated product, use 10% of the acid in the water in a plastic container. That means the dilution ratio should be 1 part acid with 10 parts water. 

Never pour the water into the acid. Rather, pour the acid slowly into the water. This will reduce the risks of splashing or releasing harmful fumes. 

Step 2: Apply the Acid

• Before applying, wipe off the extra water from the toilet bowl with the toilet brush, if any. 
• Now, pour the diluted acid across the toilet bowl. Ensure the acid reaches the inner areas of the bowl with stains and deposits due to hard water. 
• Try to cover the entire toilet bowl. 
• Make sure the acid doesn’t reach any metal components, such as the flush mechanism. 
• Don’t splash the acid for safety. 

Step 3: Let the Acid Sit

• After properly applying the acid in all areas, allow the acid to sit on the toilet for around 10 to 15 minutes. This gives it time to break down the stains and scale.  
• Don’t keep it out longer than is advised. Otherwise, this could harm the porcelain or wear down the surface of the bowl unnecessarily.

Step 4: Scrub the Bowl

• Now, scrub the toilet bowl using a toilet brush. 
• Focus on the areas with heavy buildup, stains, and scales. 
• The acid has already loosened the build-up and stains. So, proper scrubbing will make it easier to remove the stains entirely. 
• Be gentle so that the acid doesn’t splash on your body, or any place you don’t want. 

Step 5: Flush the Toilet

After scrubbing, flush the toilet multiple times to rinse away any residues and debris. Make sure no acids remain while flushing. If acids splash a little on the sitting area, rinse the area by hand. 

If any stain still remains, scrub the area again with the brush and then flush. 

After Cleaning Care and Acid Neutralisation

Neutralising any remaining acid is crucial after cleaning your toilet with hydrochloric acid. As we discussed, flushing the toilet properly reduces plumbing damage chance and helps dilute the acid.

If you’re still worried about residual acid, you can neutralise it using other ways. Use a light baking soda and water solution. Baking soda is a good neutraliser of acid.

It is not advisable to flush large volumes of hydrochloric acid straight into sewage systems. So, avoid overusing the product and always use it as prescribed.

Keep the following things in mind, too. 

• Dispose of any leftover solutions. Follow the local laws and chemical safety regulations. According to chemical disposal regulations in Brisbane, don’t put chemical solutions into septic tanks or down stormwater drains. Don’t put them into your general waste bin too. 

You should mix the extra acid solution with more water and then flush it into your toilet so that it reaches the sewer. 

• Store the acid in a dry and cool place as suggested in the product label. Make sure any children, old, or pet can’t reach them. Don’t forget to seal the acid container tightly. 

As a leading cleaning service provider in Brisbane, we know the local hazardous chemical rules well. We also know how to treat the entire process without any hassles and without breaking any rules. 

So, for cleaning your toilet in Brisbane, you can rely on us for the best services with the best rules and regulation compliance.  

Cleaner Considerations: Acidic vs. Non-Acidic Cleaners

Hydrochloric acid works perfectly for stubborn toilet cleaning. But it is not the best option for routine cleaning. For daily or weekly maintenance, the dangers of using acid cleaners can overshadow the advantages. 

The damages may include surface damage, pipe corrosion, and even health risks.

It is among the safe cleaning practices using non-acidic cleaners for regular usage. For example, you can use non-acid alternatives formulated with potent detergents and boosters. You can also choose baking soda or commercial toilet cleaners. Commercial toilet cleaners have very low acid.

These substitutes are less likely to hurt the user or the environment. But these still maintain toilet cleanliness without the use of harsh chemicals.

However, we say it again: hydrochloric acid is still a useful solution for infrequent deep cleanings. It is when mineral deposits or more difficult stains build up.

Final Words

Cleaning the toilet with hydrochloric acid is good for deep cleaning and removing stubborn stains and buildup. But, if you overdo it, or can’t do it properly, it can cause severe harm. 

If you are not interested in taking on such hassles, professional cleaning is the best choice for you. You can contact us today. At Eco Cleaning Brisbane, we provide thorough toilet cleaning. 

With over 20 years of experience, we have mastered the cleaning services here in Brisbane. Whether you need a little cleaning or a thorough cleaning of your properties, we will provide you with the best solution.