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How to Clean Battery Acid From a Concrete Floor

Dario Saandvik

Battery acid (usually muriatic or hydrochloric acids) is a strong caustic (PH 0-1) which will permanently etch concrete and other materials. The depth of a hole eaten into concrete by acid depends on the duration of contact.

If you spill battery acid from a lead-acid car battery on your concrete floor, there are a number of steps you can take to neutralize the acid and minimize the damage.

  1. Mix three parts baking soda with one part water in a bucket to make a paste.

  2. Pour the paste onto the battery acid until the acid no longer bubbles.

  3. Wipe up the paste using a disposable cloth.

Warning

Since car battery acid is usually mixed with heavy metals such as copper and lead, the neutralized battery acid mixed with baking soda paste will still contain these toxic chemicals. Be sure to keep the substance away from pets and children, and if possible, dispose of the wipes at your local chemical disposal or battery disposal facility.