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Despite the appearance of specimens in stores and museums, rocks are rather rugged and dusty when initially collected from sites. They lack the luster and sheen sought after by enthusiasts, and there are many phases that each rock will go through before transforming into a glistening gemstone, flaunting all of its unique attributes. All of these processes will start with thorough cleaning.
Oxalic Acid is great for cleaning rocks and minerals, and other solutions involving Baking Soda, Vinegar, Hydrogen Peroxide, and Hydrochloric/Muriatic Acid are also effective, depending on the specimen and other conditions. Safety precautions should always be taken. (Amazon links)
Many individuals find this a captivating activity that rewards fanatics with jaw-dropping before and after results. Whether you’re hoping to clean up a lucky find or have collected a diverse batch of stones for rock tumbling, we’ve gathered some simple and effective methods for cleaning rocks and minerals so you can establish a great starting point right at home.
If you want to check out the acid for cleaning rocks and minerals, you can only find it by clicking here (Amazon link).
What is the Best Way to Clean Rocks?
The word ‘acid’ can be daunting, but there are many household acids or concocted solutions that are relatively safe to use with protective measures and appropriate steps.
These solutions work in various ways and to different degrees of effectiveness, with oxalic acid being incredibly effective and offering versatile usability and other methods being more suitable for differing purposes.
Cleaning Rocks with Oxalic Acid
The oxalic acid powder is quite easy to find, as it can commonly be purchased in one-pound boxes at a local hardware store or paint shop due to its frequent use.
It may also be known as ‘wood bleach,’ but ensure that it is the same thing with a store assistant before purchase.
Oxalic Acid is one of the best ways to clean rocks and minerals, particularly when paired with an ultrasonic cleanser basin. It effectively removes iron oxide, which causes the brown staining on minerals.
Although this solution is safe for home use, it is highly toxic. Protective measures need to be taken copiously when working with this substance, as it can be absorbed through the skin as well as using inhalation, and it builds up inside the organs over time. The solution should not be spilled anywhere, particularly on porcelain, and should be wiped immediately.
To use oxalic acid most efficiently, establish a setup outside or in a well-ventilated area since heat would be more effective in speeding up the chemical process.
A plastic container should be filled ¾ full with distilled water, after which the oxalic acid crystals should be poured in, and it should be heated up to around 110 degrees Fahrenheit using a double boiler type setup.
The solution should never be placed directly into a steel basin, and of course, a plastic container cannot be placed directly onto heat. Hence, a double boiler setup is the best way to achieve the results, and ultrasonic cleanser basins are a great option.
Although the solution can be heated for a faster chemical reaction in approximately an hour, the solution should never be boiled.
This solution can be reused, which is great for cost-efficiency and convenience, but a new batch should be concocted in the same way once the mixture becomes dark.
These should be left in the solution until the staining has completely been removed from the rocks, after which it should be rinsed in clean distilled water to prevent insoluble oxalates from forming, which will leave unsightly yellow stains once the rocks are dry.
They should then be soaked in a 5-gallon bucket for plenty of room, with a hole drilled at the bottom for trickle and drainage.
The best part is that this can all be set up and ready to go; you can add rock specimens as you find them, and it can handle a large load.
For the most effective results, change the water every minute for an hour, every hour for a day, and then every day for an entire month – or, at the very least, change the water as often as possible using this theory as a guide.
Although it may seem extensive, it’s the best method for cleaning rocks overall, as it removes far more than just dirt and grime, allowing for an incredibly beautiful final product with enhanced appeal and minimal flaws.
If you want to buy oxalic acid to clean rocks and minerals, I recommend you buy this one (Amazon link).
Cleaning Rocks with Baking Soda
Baking soda is a common household item and is a prevalent addition to rock cleaning methods. Although, despite the widespread belief that it plays a role in cleaning, it serves as more of a neutralizer for the acidic solution that is used to clean the rocks.
This is done by dissolving the baking soda in a container with warm water, then soaking the cleaned and rinsed rocks for around 15 minutes, then washing them thoroughly. It can also be paired with vinegar due to its chemical reaction traits.
TIP: So you’re a budding rockhound dying to burnish your prize finds and display them in all their glory – but you don’t have a tumbler. Check out how to clean rocks without a rock tumbler in the article below:
How To Clean Rocks Without A Tumbler? Make Your Rocks Shiny!
Cleaning Rocks with Vinegar
Substances such as vinegar and citric acid can be used for cleaning or removing metallic brush marks from rock specimens.
Pastes can also be made with vinegar and can be used as a scouring solution or to brighten certain specimens, such as copper.
Vinegar can be used as a soaking solution for cleaning agates, and a mixture can be made using vinegar and baking soda, resulting in a bubbling reaction to remove loose dirt. But, it’s important to check a small area first, as some specimens, such as calcite, do not respond well.
If you are interested in buying vinegar to clean rocks and minerals, I recommend buying this one (Amazon link).
Cleaning Rocks with Hydrogen Peroxide
Although this is not as effective or popular, it can be used to clean rocks and minerals and is mainly more effective at removing oxidized material.
Coupled with the fact that it’s an explosive substance when used at an incorrect dilution, and is incredibly dangerous for the skin and other extremities, possibly causing blindness or burning.
Having a DIY approach with such a substance is not recommended unless you’re experienced. Potassium Hydroxide may be an alternative for minerals like opal, copper carbonates, and phosphates, as it’s not explosive.
If you are interested in buying hydrogen peroxide to clean rocks and minerals, I recommend you buy this one (Amazon link).
TIP: It is always good to clean rocks and minerals before you start to tumble them. But do you know what rocks are the best for tumbling? Find out them in the article below:
What Rocks Are Good For Tumbling? 15 Best Rocks & Minerals
Cleaning Rocks with Muriatic Acid
Muriatic acid, otherwise known as hydrochloric acid, is available for purchase at a wide range of hardware stores. They can be purchased in one-gallon containers and effectively remove rust and debris.
Although this substance may be more effective than oxalic acid, this approach is aggressive and dangerous.
Wearing protective measures is essential for working with this acid, and you should always read the safety precautions on the packaging very carefully.
This acid works by removing iron oxide stains faster than oxalic acid and removing carbonates such as calcite, which often form in pockets and conceal the true nature or aesthetic of the specimen.
It’s commonly used to professionally clean many rocks and minerals and produces stunningly magnificent final products.
However, the main reason this is not the best method comes down to the fact that it’s quite dangerous and that one may hope to maintain calcites in a specimen, and using this acid does not give you that option.
It will remove everything. In addition, this solution can exhaust quickly and is not as reusable as oxalic acid, so it’s essential to keep sand and dirt out of this mixture.
The rocks should be placed in a large container with room for bubbling foam; they should be washed thoroughly, dried outdoors, and covered with acid without splashing anything. Muriatic acid acts very quickly, and it should be checked often.
The rocks can be left in the solution for 5 minutes – 5 days, and the removal of calcites will occur much more quickly than the removal of iron oxide.
In that order, a second treatment may be necessary by diluting the acid and adding 1 part acid to 1 part water. It shouldn’t be placed under lighting as it may cause yellow staining.
If you want to buy muriatic acid to clean rocks and minerals, I recommend you buy this one (Amazon link).
BTW: Do you want to know more about rock and mineral identification? The books listed below are the best ones you can find on the internet (Amazon links):
- Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks & Minerals
- Gemstone & Crystal Properties (Quick Study Home)
- Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Rocks and Minerals (National Geographic Kids)
Safety Precautions for Cleaning Rocks
Although there are many ways to clean specimens that are quite safe for home use, it’s still necessary to take effective protective solutions when working with any of these products.
This would entail wearing protective goggles to protect the eyes from debris or fumes, a mask for avoiding the inhalation of any substance, as well as gloves coupled with all-covering old garments to shelter you from the solutions used, which can be harmful to uncovered skin.
Everything should be labeled for safety and kept far away from animals, children, and others in the area.
Plastic containers and colanders should be used for each of these methods, and it’s important to examine the specific rock or mineral with the solution by testing the substance on a small area of a rock to see what the chemical reaction will be before going ahead with a full batch.
TIP: Are you looking for some protective gloves for cleaning rocks or rockhounding? I wrote a comprehensive article about gest gloves for rockhounding; feel free to read it here:
3 Best Gloves for Rockhounding: Protect Your Hands
Conclusion
There are plenty of ways to clean rocks in the comfort of your home, using acids that are easy to find at local hardware stores.
However, the compatibility of the rocks with each method will vary depending on their form and composition, and it’s always essential to check a small area before deciding on an appropriate method.
Safety precautions and appropriate environmental conditions should always be ensured before working with such substances.
With some thorough knowledge of chemical reactions and classic elbow grease, you will be all set to create a glistening collection of rock and mineral specimens.
TIP: If you find a remarkable specimen on the beach, it may require some cleaning before its beauty can be fully appreciated. Find out more about cleaning rocks from the beach in the article below:
Cleaning Rocks From the Beach: 7 Ways How to Do It Properly