Apply the Solution: Spray the diluted muriatic acid solution onto the pavers, making sure to cover all stained areas. Allow the solution to sit for 15-20 minutes, or as instructed by the manufacturer. Scrub the Pavers: Using the scrub brush, gently scrub the pavers to remove the stains.
Cleaning concrete with muriatic acid can be a highly effective solution if used correctly, providing ultra-bright white concrete and removal of many types of stains. In one application, you can remove rust stains, oil stains, algae, and paint splatter with a quick chemical application followed by pressure washing.
CLEAN PAVERS WITH SOAP OR DETERGENT
Directly apply dishwashing soap or laundry detergent to the smudge and let it sit for at least 2 hours or longer if time permits. Reinforce it by pouring dish soap and water mixture. Use a bristle brush to scrub your paver lightly.
Muriatic acid is corrosive but that is what makes it really good at getting rid of mold, stains and rust from a variety of surfaces, including brick, concrete and stone, and swimming pools. Despite that muriatic acid is made for cleaning, you still need to dilute it with water before you use it.
Scrub the acid solution: Once the solution is applied, lightly scrub it into the concrete with a push broom or long handled scrub brush. This helps to create a uniform etch of the concrete. Let the solution sit from 2 – 15 minutes while it continues to fizz and bubble.
Over time, it can destroy concrete as the acid weakens its structure. This will cause scaling, pitting, peeling, and cracking. If the acid wash gets into the soil, it will evaporate on the surface but remain beneath the surface (just like it does with concrete).
Generally, interior pavers that have been grouted and sealed just need to be swept, mopped, and spot-cleaned as needed with a gentle, non-acidic multipurpose cleaning solution, such as Enviro Klean All Surface Cleaner or Light Duty Concrete Cleaner.
The reason you are seeing yellow spots on your muriatic acid cleaned pavers is because some of the aggregates used in making the pavers are now exposed. The reason for this is that muriatic acid attacks the pigments used to color the cement that is part of the concrete mix.
Mild detergent and water.
Mix some mild dish soap with water in a bucket to create suds, then use a brush or a sponge to scrub the surface of the pavers. If your pavers are textured or have intricate designs, this cleaning method can be gentler than a power washer.
Several years ago we tested the effects on our rock panel products of different types of acid, ranging from everyday household acid based cleaners to undiluted muriatic acid. All of them resulted in some form of oxidation to the stone, with the stronger the acid the more oxidation was created.
No, you can't pour muriatic acid outside.
Doing so would kill plants and harm the soil, and the acid could leach into groundwater.
Be sure to get any stone that may come in contact with the acid solution. This is a critical step to prevent damage. Applying acid to dry stones can stain them a yellowish-green color.
To clean paver slabs, you can use a detergent, such as Dawn, or a vinegar-water solution that is gentle enough to effectively clean without causing damage to your concrete pavers.
Whilst vinegar will not directly dissolve concrete itself, but it will degrade the cement that binds your concrete slabs or flags together. Extended exposure to vinegar will also cause any polish or sealant on your pavers to erode over time, leading to bleaching, stains and weathering.
Acids and acid-based cleaners can, and all-too-often do, cause devastating damage to the appearance of some types of paving. However, being wise after-the-fact is all too easy.
Avoid Using Muriatic Acid on Bricks
It's best to leave this on the shelf and avoid using this substance on your brickwork. Muriatic acid dissolves the outer surface of the brick.
Muriatic acid can actually cause damage to brick.
Although bleach is great at the whitening effect, you can use peroxide to achieve this. Hydrogen peroxide is an oxygenated bleach. It is safe for plants, so when you rinse this solution, it won't harm anything. It works together with the dish soap and baking soda to remove dirt and whiten dirty concrete.
Use 8 Parts water to 1 part Hydrochloric acid solution, you may have to increase the strength if the marks haven't been removed, the stronger the solution the coarser the paver will become exposing the materials of the paver.
Regular Soap and Water
A solution of regular dishwashing soap or hand soap is simple to create, and it will remove mild to moderate dirt, stains, and grease. Just mix your soap and some warm water in a large bucket and you're ready to start cleaning.
One of the most common methods of removing stubborn dirt and stains on outdoor concrete floors is by using muriatic acid. Muriatic acid is one of the most common substances when it comes to household cleaning and disinfection.
Muriatic acid is strong enough to etch concrete, but it can also cause severe injury and/or damage property when used improperly. Always wear protective clothing, rubber gloves, boots and goggles or a face shield when handling acid. Avoid breathing acid vapors.
Mix one cup of TSP (trisodium phosphate) in a gallon of hot water, then pour the solution over the blemish. Let it soak in for at least 30 minutes, and then scrub with a stiff nylon brush. Finally, blast the spot with your hose set to the highest pressure.