• Muriatic acid, or hydrochloric acid, is an extremely powerful acid that is used as a last resort cleaner for bricks and concrete. Muriatic acid reacts to metals and other surfaces by dissolving them. You should always use extreme care if you choose to use muriatic acid as even the fumes can badly burn skin and respiratory passages.
  
  

Safety Gear

• Safety gear is essential when working with muriatic acid. Look for long, elbow-length acid-resistant gloves, vinyl coveralls and rubber boots to protect your skin and clothing. At the very least wear safety goggles, but a full face mask protects you better from splashes. A respirator with an acid-grade filter protects against muriatic acid's corrosive fumes.
  
  

Neutralizing Materials

• Because you are working with a highly corrosive acid, you must have neutralizing materials on hand to deal with spills. Regular garden lime or baking soda effectively neutralize muriatic acid. Also keep a source of running water available; a garden hose is the best choice because a bucket alone does not provide enough water if you need to neutralize a spill.
  
  

Foliage

• If you will be using muriatic acid near any foliage, protect your plants with a tarp or wet the plants down thoroughly with water. Muriatic acid is very toxic to plants, so if you do get some near your plants, be sure to neutralize the acid with baking soda or lime and a few splashes of water from the garden hose. Do not use muriatic acid near fragile plants, as they may not survive the experience.
  
  

Ventilation

• If the area where you will be using muriatic acid is a tight spot or semi-enclosed, use a portable fan to improve ventilation in that area. Fumes from muriatic acid are extremely dangerous and can build up easily in small areas. The fumes are not flammable, but they need to be able to disperse.
  
  

Outdoor Use Only

• Do not use muriatic acid indoors. Besides the fact that the fumes can overpower an enclosed area easily, they are corrosive to metals. It is impossible to ventilate an indoor location well enough to use muriatic acid without causing damage to metals and other substances.
  
  

Cleaning Spills

• If you spill any muriatic acid, clean up the spill immediately. Spread heavy amounts of either garden lime or baking soda directly over the spill and add water. The solution will fizz while it neutralizes. Continue to add lime or baking soda along with water until the acid stops fizzing. Once the acid is neutralized, it is no longer caustic.
  
  

Disposal

• Do not ever pour muriatic acid down a drain of any type. Muriatic acid corrodes metals and pipes. You also cannot dispose of muriatic acid in your regular trash, regardless of how you package it. You can recycle muriatic acid at many recycling centers or hazardous waste centers. Contact your community's recycling center to find out what options are available in your area.
  
  You can neutralize remaining muriatic acid yourself. Add 4 cups of garden lime or baking soda to a 5 gallon bucket and pour in 1 gallon of water. Pour muriatic acid into the bucket very slowly, stirring with a long wooden stirrer. Continue to add lime or baking soda and water until the acid is completely neutralized. Depending on how much acid you have left, you may need to neutralize it in batches. Once the acid stops fizzing, it is completely neutralized and it can be poured down a drain.