Dry rock cooking with muriatic/hydrocloric acid vs sulphuric acid

[Joe Batt]

I am cleaning up some old dry rocks and I was going to use muriatic acid. The slight problem I have is that I don't live in the US and I can't find any, the closest I have got was hydrochloric acid in a 25g drum.....a little much I feel

I have however found Ph Redux that says it is sulphuric acid. Is there any reason I cant use that instead? If its OK are there any extra precautions you have to take other than the standard gloves, goggles, mask and open area?

 

[Onedeadbob]

I would ask Randy in the chemistry forum; not sure about how / if any sulfur would end up bound in the rock?

Some alternatives would be bleach and / or vinegar (not at the same time). I have read that bleach will remove the organics while any of the acidic solutions will help remove bound phosphates.

 

[Water Dog]

Regular table vinegar (3%) will work in place of muriatic acid. It’s a lot safer as well. I would go 50% vinegar and 50% water for about an hour. The first time I did it, I went 3 hours and I felt that it ate too much of the rock. Prior to the 50/50 table vinegar bath, I did a bleach bath as well.