Using Oxalic Acid

[Walker]

I saw somewhere, can't find it now, a discussion about using oxalic to clean rocks.

I have some river rocks that I would like to clean the iron off.

Anyone got any tips on how to safely use this stuff? I read on one blog you shouldn't use it alone. Does my dog count?

Thanks.

[Deleted]

Iron out cleans iron fast

[Deleted]

And is found at your grocery store

[captbob]

And Home Depot!

ETA: be careful of the fumes though. They are quite potent.

As to use, mix with water and get away. Found that warm/hot water works better. Leave the bucket(s) somewhere in the sun so that the water can warm daily.

[Deleted]

Yes. BOB is spot on.

DO THIS OUTSIDE!!

[grizman]

Iron Out works great! I found that it cleaned a lot faster than I thought it might. Use smart precautions, work outdoors, and be surprised at what you accomplish with a product from the grocery store.

[Deleted]

BTW

I use standard pool/spa acid for this. One quick dip and it's gone in 60 seconds.

[vegasjames]

Citric acid is also great for removing iron staining and it is a lot safer.

[fantastic5]

Walker I've used oxalic acid on quartz crystals. I mix up a fairly strong solution then in an old crock pot let it get really warm (I only do this outside). Then I will place the quartz crystals in and keep a close eye on them, they usually clean up really quickly. When doing crystals, you need to be really careful that they don't have water pockets (enhydro crystals) as the thermal shock will often shatter the stone.

To clean river cobbles, I would just do a long soak in Super Iron Out or Muratic acid. I've used the SIO in the house, but try to keep the muratic acid outside.

I have a good friend who uses the chlorine tables for pools and spas to clean his stones. He fills a 5 gal bucket with stones, tops off with water and tosses in one of the big puck shaped tablets and just lets is sit for several weeks. This will get the organic material cleaned off. Then you can move on to a chemical clean for iron.

Hope this helps.

[HankRocks]

With the Oxalic, be sure to use rubber gloves so to avoid contact with the skin. One of the health risks associated is Kidney Stones, not fun, especially when one or more try to pass through the urinary tract!
I primarily use Iron Out and have a 5 gallon pool chemical bucket with the nice closing lid. It helps to contain the fumes which aren't good to breath and can cause any exposed metal indoor to rust over time, mostly nails or wood screws. Had to replace several on my workbench before I figured out what was causing the rust.

[smittys]

I like dirty stones cause I have a dirty mind

[Rockoonz]

We use a glass coffee pot on a hot pad at the lowest setting at the edge of our covered patio furthest from the house.
@shotgunner I use the pool acid for pickle, never thought to try with crystals or druzy.