Acid washing is used on swimming pools, walls, etc. to strip away unsightly stains and marks. These stains and marks may develop for a lot of reasons but mainly they are due to long-term neglect and harsh, damp conditions. Usually, general marks and stains can be scrubbed away and rubbed off with detergent and other cleaning solutions. But if you have problems like mineral deposits from hard water seepage/leakage or algae deposits which refuse to go away, you will need to use acid wash. However, please remember that acid wash is not meant to be used regularly because it will erode away the material it is used on.



Acid wash is actually not washing but 'eroding' away an imperceptible amount of the material to take away the stains and marks and to reveal a new, fresh layer beneath it. When used on plaster, it strips away one layer of plaster to reveal a fresh new layer, giving an instant and dramatic change in the appearance of the surface.

Using acid wash is dangerous and adequate precaution should be taken before using it. It is best left up to professionals who will charge on the basis of the size of the area to be cleaned. However, if you are planning to do it yourself, you need to understand how to use it. Acid can burn away any exposed skin upon contact and it can greatly damage sensitive regions like your eyes. So you need to know how to use the acid wash properly.

Before you begin, you must have a few things ready. The first thing to get is protective boots, gloves and face masks that are designed specially for acid fumes. You will also need an acid brush, a garden sprinkler can and soda ash to neutralize the acid after use. Depending on your location, you may need to take permission from or notify your water supply department or municipal corporation because you will be discharging potentially hazardous waste.

Once preparations are in place, start by rubbing the surface with a normal scrub and detergent or plain water to get all the surface debris off. If it is a pool you are cleaning, do this while slowly draining the water. After this, take the watering can, pour water in it and then add the acid. The mixture should be 1:1, which means equal amounts of water and acid. Warning: always pour acid into water and not the other way around. Now use this mixture on a 10 square feet area at a time and let it settle for about 30 seconds. Then use the acid brush to scrub the area clean. Repeat this on the entire surface.

Don't let the acid run off and burn a furrow towards the bottom, dilute the run off with running water. Once the entire area has been done, you will have foamy acidic wastewater. Use about 2 pounds of soda ash per gallon of acid wash used to neutralize the waste before disposing it safely.