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## Muriatic / Hydrochloric Acid 

Of all the hazardous household products, cleaning products are some of the most toxic to homeowners and their families (including pets). This makes sense: after all, what is hard on grease, grime, limescale, and other difficult-to-remove stains isn’t going to be kind to the skin. One of these products – known as muriatic acid – is one of the most heavy-duty cleaning products, and with good reason: it’s primarily made of corrosive hydrochloric acid. Learning how to use, handle, store, and dispose of muriatic acid is vital if you’re going to keep it in your home.



 

 

 




### Hazards

- Muriatic acid is a diluted form of hydrochloric acid (HCI), with commercial grades reaching 30% or more HCI and other household variants ranging to half that amount or less.
- Usually, muriatic acid includes iron impurities, giving it a yellow color instead of HCI’s colorlessness. Learn more about the differences in our blog on muriatic acid.
- Muriatic or hydrochloric acid causes severe irritation or burns to the skin and eyes.
- Vapors may irritate the respiratory tract.


### Handling

- Wear clothing that covers exposed skin areas. Use gauntlet-style acid-resistant gloves and eye protection when working with acid.
- Use only in well-ventilated areas.
- Always add acid to water – never add water to acid.
- Do not mix muriatic acid with any other chemicals.



 

 

 



 

 

### Need to dispose of muriatic / hydrochloric acid?

   ![Hydrochloric acid](/sites/g/files/dvc5671/files/styles/default/public/image/2025/10/muriatic-hydrochloric-acid_0.jpg.webp?itok=fJ58s4At)   



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### Management Options

- **Do not** dispose of it down the drain or in storm drains.
- **Do not** dispose of it in a septic system.
- **Do not** dispose of it in the trash: liquid wastes can leak into a trash truck and react with other chemicals.
- Wastewater treatment facilities routinely use muriatic acid. Call your local facility to see if they will accept it.
- Neutralization may be an option but do not attempt it if you are not familiar with handling acids and the appropriate safety precautions.
- Take to a Household Hazardous Products Collection Center.

For information on other hazardous cleaning chemicals, see our page on [**Household Cleaning Chemicals**](/what-we-accept/cleaning-chemicals "Cleaning Chemicals").



 

 

 



 

 

 

 





This information was brought to you by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and Veolia.



 

 

 



**Reduce, Reuse, Recycle**   
83 Gilmore Drive, Sutton, MA 01590  
866-769-1621



 

 

 

 

 

 





[See All Materials We Accept](/what-we-accept)

 



 

 

 




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