All Questions
15
questions
0
votes
0
answers
1k
views
Chemistry behind cleaning with vinegar vs citric acid; do they work differently? Should I prepare the same pH solutions to compare them?
I noticed a pack of "Mysterious Citric Acid" while out shopping so I picked it up to see what the big deal was. Several palates of the stuff had just arrived at a local outlet store. I ...
- 5,900
4
votes
0
answers
75
views
Why do vessels get a better shine when tea-leaves are soaked overnight in it before washing?
The other day I dumped consumed tea leaves into a brass utensil because I needed the tea-pan urgently. The vessel with the tea leaves didn't get around for cleaning until the next day. Ergo, the tea ...
- 904
6
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Are acids effective in removing soap scum?
In my experience, most of the commercial products intended for removing soap scum from bathroom surfaces are ineffective. No matter how long you leave it on or how hard you scrub, the soap scum doesn'...
- 874
-3
votes
1
answer
48
views
Possible Plumbing Acid through Leaky Pipe in Floating Ceiling, How to Test/Clean?
So I had a plumber in the other day, and I don't know if he used acid drain cleaner or not. The pipe where the possible leak is, is over some drop ceiling (vinyl or expanded polystyrene).
Before I go ...
1
vote
0
answers
49
views
Can PTFE be dissolved by aqua regia? [duplicate]
At the moment I am cleaning crucibels in aqua regia. I was wondering, whether I could stir it with a standard PTFE stirring bar or not?
I am not sure if it is needed or if the normal flactuation in ...
- 419
2
votes
0
answers
350
views
Can acetic or citric acid be too highly concentrated when used for cleaning copper?
I intend to clean a copper surface with acetic or alternatively citric acid. There are many different concentrations recommended by different sources on the internet. For example vinegar with 10% acid ...
- 121
9
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Why are acetic acid and sodium bicarbonate mixed to unblock a drain?
I have always wondered about the rationale behind combining white vinegar and sodium bicarbonate to perform household cleaning jobs, and to unblock drains. I would have expected white vinegar to act ...
- 201
-2
votes
2
answers
58
views
How to properly clean spilled battery content?
I was cleaning my wardrobe when I found some huge white-brown blots where there was a lot of batteries that I have use. I was keeping them for properly disposal but I forget to do that.
I ...
- 152
9
votes
2
answers
36k
views
Will using vinegar harm car paint?
After having parked my car in a newly constructed airport parking garage, I came back to find something had dripped through a crack in the ceiling of the structure and left considerably thick film on ...
- 303
0
votes
1
answer
248
views
What chemical can be used for getting rid of hard water spots on cars?
Most water spot removers available on Amazon or automotive stores are just fine abrasives which remove a small amount of your car's clearcoat every time you use them.
I'm looking for a chemical which ...
3
votes
2
answers
29k
views
Acetic(vinegar) and citric acid as the rust remover
I tested, separately, acetic and citric acids for cleaning steel parts. After 24 hours I have moderate results for acetic acid, and good results for citric acid. But in both cases, rust doesn't ...
- 131
22
votes
1
answer
4k
views
How can I safely handle a concentrated (fuming) nitric acid spill?
I will shortly be using $90~\%$ or higher concentration nitric acid in a home environment for the purpose of decapping ICs. I understand the corrosive dangers of nitric acid, and most of the important ...
- 331
1
vote
0
answers
255
views
Is there a chemical that will etch antimony but not stainless steel?
I am working with ultra high vacuum equipment made out of stainless steel that has been contaminated with a number of metals, but in particular Antimony. We'd like to do some machining of the ...
- 11
7
votes
4
answers
69k
views
Sulfuric acid fumes from cleaning shower drain
This morning a workman came by to my newly rented property to fix a few things, among which a slightly blocked bathtub drain.
He let some mild water run continuously and he poured down a chemical, ...
- 79
5
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Reuse 20 litre plastic drums for drinking water?
Would you consider it safe to clean and reuse a 20 litre plastic drum that contained 36% Hydrochloric Acid for drinking water? If so how would you recommend cleaning it?
- 51