- 1). Be sure you use safety and environmental precautions before starting. Muriatic acid is not recommended for indoor use because it gives off corrosive vapors. If you are in a small outdoor space, set up a fan to blow fumes away from you. Always have garden lime and running water on hand to neutralize any spills.
- 2). Cover yourself in case of splashes or spills. A full-length rubber apron or coverall is recommended, as well as long gloves, rubber boots and goggles. Wear a respirator if you will be working with muriatic acid for a long period of time since vapors can damage your respiratory system.
- 3). Fill a plastic bucket with water for a standard dilution of 1 part acid to 10 parts water. This solution is good for masonry cleaning and adjusting pool pH.
- 4). Add acid to water, not water to acid. Adding water to acid creates a potentially explosive reaction. Instead, pour the one part of acid slowly into the plastic bucket of water. Don't rush so splashes are avoided.
- 5). When done with the muriatic acid dilution, store in a plastic jug with a safety seal to prevent leaks. Don't expect to store muriatic acid long-term, however. Find a safe method of disposal.
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