How to Clean Minerals With Oxalic Acid
Oxalic acid is used to clean minerals. It is a naturally occurring acid found in many vegetables, including spinach. It is also easy to find and safe to use at moderate levels. Oxalic acid will dissolve the brown stains, or iron oxide, on minerals. Oxalic acid does not always produce the same outcome, so test your minerals before cleaning them.
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Instructions
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Put at least three quarters of a gallon of hot tap water into a plastic 1-gallon container, such as a used milk jug. Add in the oxalic acid and mix for five minutes. Once all of the oxalic acid is dissolved, add enough water to fill the rest of your container.
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Put your minerals into your oxalic acid, covering them completely. Leave it alone for several days.
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Check on your minerals. If the iron color has disappeared, take out the minerals. Make sure you are wearing gloves. Run your minerals under water for two to three hours, then leave in a bucket of clean water and change the water as many times as you can for one day.
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Tips & Warnings
Heat will make the reaction go faster, but do not boil. To add heat, place the bucket on a heat plate and heat it to 110 degrees F. This will speed up the reaction so that you only have to leave the minerals in the bucket of acid for an hour.
You can reuse the solution. When it takes on a dark green color, discard it and make a new batch.
Oxalic acid is toxic at concentrated and high levels. Use gloves at all times.
Keep acid out of reach of children and pets.
Do not inhale acid while pouring.
