How to Clean Brick with Acid | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough demonstrates how to clean soot out of brick using acid.
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Time: 2 hours
Cost: $50
Skill Level: Moderate
Tools List for Cleaning Brick:
2 Buckets
2 Brushes
Shopping List:
Acidic masonry cleaner
Drop cloths
Tarps
Containment sock (or old towels)
Safety goggles
Rubber gloves
Steps:
• Protect the area around the bricks being cleaned. Lay down a drop cloth first to prevent any scratching from materials, then cover that with a plastic tarp.
• Place the containment sock around the bricks being cleaned on top of the tarp to further contain the mess.
• Before handling the acidic cleaner, put on rubber gloves and goggles to protect yourself from serious burns.
• Dry brush the surface of the brick to remove any loose particles.
• Fill the first bucket with only water.
• Dip the brush into the bucket of water and dampen the brick until it’s thoroughly soaked.
• Fill the next bucket halfway with water. Then pour the masonry cleaner into the bucket of water. It’s important to pour the masonry cleaner into the water instead of the other way around to prevent any burns from the acid.
• Dip a second brush into the masonry cleaner mixture, then gently apply the brush to the brick.
• Let the brick absorb the cleaner for 3-5 minutes, then use the water brush to scrub any residue off the brick.
• Repeat this process until the brick is clean. If the desired results are not achieved, strengthen the concentration of the cleaner in the bucket and also scrub a little harder than during the first pass.
Resources:
Mark cleaned the brick with Sure Klean 600 acidic cleaner, manufactured by Prosoco (www.prosoco.com ). It can be found at masonry supply stores and sometimes at painting supply stores. This cleaner should not be confused with muriatic acid, which is stronger and more dangerous.
The other materials used for this project, including buckets, brushes, drop cloths, gloves, and goggles, can be found at home centers.
Expert advice on this project was provided by MJM Masonry (www.mjmmasonry.com).
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How to Clean Brick with Acid | Ask This Old House
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[@phxtonash]

A tip when using those long black gloves is cuff up the ends where your elbow is , that way if you do get acid on them it won't run down the glove it will run into the cuff.

[@Chillingcomfy]

Thank you! Great advice.

[@candasmith]

They used Sure Klean 600 acidic brick cleaner. It's listed in the description.

[@herbfellows6435]

Thanks! Why they would bury the product used is beyond me.

[@jamessullivan1227]

​@Herb Fellows all about the Benjamin's. No pay no advertising.

[@marykeaveny1425]

No mention of product used. It was not muradic acid. It was a "detergent with a little acid" Was it SureClean? Miracle Acid. "A great product" but no mention of what it was. Really helpful. Thanks.

[@eyehear10]

its in the video description

[@herbfellows6435]

@@eyehear10 It says 'using acid', which this specifically is not. It's a diluted product of some sort. If you can't show the product, what's the point?

[@eyehear10]

@@herbfellows6435 No it doesn't? It clearly says "Resources: Mark cleaned the brick with Sure Klean 600 acidic cleaner, manufactured by Prosoco (www.prosoco.com ). It can be found at masonry supply stores and sometimes at painting supply stores. This cleaner should not be confused with muriatic acid, which is stronger and more dangerous."

[@danieltaylor1699]

So I checked the sureclean 600 sds, and it says 10 to 30% Hydrogen Chloride. So it's basically muriatic acid, (dilute hydrochloric acid)

[@Jositoooo]

It’s a diluted acid for god’s sake. Acidity is a fundamental chemical property, not a specific product. At 4:40 they say “the acidic material.” It’s a very basic category, like a solvent or a lubricant or an adhesive. Not everything needs a product placement. You could (and people do) use vinegar, muriatic acid, box store brand generic “acidic cleaner”, hell you could use lemon juice if you have a barrel of it sitting around. Or you could save a few bucks and buy a 5 lb bag of citric acid powder and use it for this and any other time you’d use vinegar for cleaning and it will last years, that’s what I did. Honestly if you want to work on your home you ought to get in the habit of learning for yourself how some things actually work instead of just expecting someone to tell you what product to buy.

[@Engineer9736]

Should have done only half of that wall to show the difference.

[@1stwashandseal]

only thing that removes cement or concrete is acid just deleted to a point doesn't make any damage just do small areas first

[@CurvedSlightly]

1:59 Before 5:00 After, you,r welcome.

[@mannys9130]

"Do as you oughta, add acid to wat-ah." An old saying to help remember. Say "water" with a Boston accent. :)

[@amosaiccosmos6302]

"Are we talkin' acid?"

[@loadedclip911]

Uh huh

[@jacksemporiumofstuff]

Yeah...... lysergic acid!

[@rebeccazito4357]

The product manufacturer and our local distributor did not recommend this product for indoor use. They recommended a few different Prosoco products. We wound up using DriKlean, paint and peel cleaner. It’s still curing on our fireplace; the test area showed a slight improvement. The application isn’t much different than painting a wall.

[@charleshines5700]

What should be done to neutralize the acid when it is done?

[@queondacanal4775]

Where can I buy elbow grease?

[@c.hodges2168]

Same place that sells muffler bearings

[@dph22013]

Que Onda Canal 👍😂

[@hangdogit]

At Lazy's.

[@Rob-rs5rn]

Most Home Depos have them standing out on the curb somewhere.

[@christophermiracle2294]

I R A Pilot and I buy my elbow grease at the same place I buy my flight line

[@Bremend]

Splashing is part of the reason, but the major reason is thermal mass, if what you are adding has an exothermic (or even an endothermic) heat of mixture, you want the large heat capacity of the water to absorb that change, not the tiny amount of water you would have if you were to mix in the reverse

[@pamelamotyka8036]

Cool, thanks

[@superiorbeing95]

I never new how to clean things with water and brushes before, I now find out they make brushes for your teeth and the floor too, this video has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me!

[@mariacerrato2931]

😂😂😂

[@FarahKhan-v6b]

Lovely work. Can I clean bricks with cement on ? My builders built me a summer house, unfortunately it was built in winter feb time and he has made a little mess of cement stuck on the face of the bricks. Pls advice me on that. Much appreciated x

[@aaqilian5.085]

Probably good to mention the goddamn product you used.

[@surfprepsales]

prosoco.com/products/hard-surface-care/ Prosoco is an 80 year old manufacturer of specialty cleaners. great company.

[@ns5337]

lol they probably used muriatic acid

[@gcolesgeecco]

without the GD you are correct he never mentioned it in the video but it is listed in the description below.

[@mets23q]

How do you make the mortar brighter?

[@ncooty]

If all that's needed is slight acidity (dilute), why not just use white vinegar?

[@charlesalexanderable]

Dilute strong acid is different than weak acid, weak acid doesn't fully dissociate

[@bigrat4027]

I use straight lemon juice , I spray it on let it set for a few seconds and brush it clean ! Safer than acid of course !

[@daviddeakin1663]

Strait Lemon Juice is citric acid.

[@strorandompage]

I need help from a potential hoa problem.. what can I use to take a few layers of paint off the out side cement wall. .. please reach out asap

[@victorsalazar3982]

Thank you you guys and happy new year.

[@lindakoskela6443]

Great tips - thank you.

[@nancycrisman7496]

I have painted stone end tables I would like to remove the paint. Can you inform me? The trim is wrought iron. I have a grinder

[@lossothegreat]

but it leaves white marks on the joints what do i do

[@curiosity2314]

Why would you want to remove the natural Patina ?

[@jamesdriscoll2478]

Yes that's correct the brick is porous so that's why you wet at first but it would never be recommended to use it inside of a house because that smell will be there forever that's why we don't do that I've owned a chimney business in Dayton Ohio for 18 years this is the worst thing you could do

[@MrJVisionz]

So what would you recommend?

[@sew04ss]

So what product you recommend?

[@michaeljaquish9708]

I could not see the name of the product used in that orange container. It would be helpful to know that.

[@beckysimpson3364]

What kind of gloves are those? Are they nitrile? Natural rubber? PVC?

[@garygross1085]

So what was the detergent you used???

[@dutchbros6125]

how do you know when you home needs an acid wash? if a brick home is not really dirty is it still worth it to do it? does it still make a difference if it hasn't been washed for a long time?

[@markmaddison5312]

Never

[@russellchavey9484]

Why no mention of what product they used?

[@treymonroe3476]

Will this also remove old construction mortar off the brick?

[@Paul-A01]

I'd like to know this too

[@fastwaterec]

What to do with the leftover acid in the bucket?

[@eddyflo2978]

Drink it

[@luxman9463]

That IS NOT dirty brick. Come to my house, I’ll show you dirty brick, LOL 😜

[@adamortega69]

Do you need to scrub it with a brush to wet the bricks or can you use a hose or pressure washer?

[@thewallaces9110]

Looked like it was reacting with the mortar more than the brick.

[@nubsack6142]

@Sly Steve Allow me to translate broken English to somewhat readable English. "Acid is used for cleaning mortar and not necessarily dirt. The detergent is what cleans the brick. I've been cleaning walls for 20 years."

[@hamidbazmi7948]

@@nubsack6142 what kind of detergent should I use to get rid of dirt from yellow london stock bricks please?

[@vtxdaryl]

What was the name of the acid

[@dangotchey4639]

What is the product???

[@mobgma]

great video

[@mhughes4096]

How do you dispose of the water?

[@modulatethecarrier]

I want to know this too.

[@tyronefinks5878]

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!

[@joaniem3817]

Does anyone know if this product will remove paint on brick? I have a few paint spots I need removed from a poorly done paint job .

[@laxmanjoshi5637]

That's goods for everyone for idea .thanks

[@tdolz]

I'm guessing they used Sure Klean.

[@herbfellows6435]

One must wonder why we have to guess. You have to expand the description to actually see what they used. Why they would make you do that to figure it out is beyond me. It's Sure Kleen 600.

[@javierlabastida1580]

Thank you for this video. God Bless You

[@Ghrainne]

You have to do the work yourself

[@blakstorm12]

Is there a brick wall conditioner that you apply after the acid process. Something to help keep the brick color vibrant.

[@AlMai222]

Just use baking soda water mix to neutralize the brick

[@MK-ih6wp]

Can you use TSP if you dont have muriatic?

[@hogfan2222]

What material...

[@durangodave]

I wonder if this will also work on red concrete pavers. I used mortor mix between my pavers to lock them in place and the mortor dust dried on on my paver face so its grey colored. I washed it off and scrubbed it but its still there. Can i do the same process with concrete pavers as they did with brick?

[@gypana]

If you have any pavers left over the best thing is to try it on them and see if there's a colour change as acid can leave a yellow stain on concrete, but if they're clay pavers there should be no problem.

[@azansubhie9228]

can i use h2so4 instead? i cant find masonary cleaner in my country. please help

[@danielscarazzo5437]

What is the chemical used ?

[@Sunakfilth]

Gloves ...goggles and exposed baldy head...lol

[@splash5974]

Only issue is most people have hearths or finish floors right under the fireplace...So containing the acid and water, is going to be almost impossible. This is better suited for outside brick work

[@Methoverbitches]

If only you could rewind

[@stephenconcannon4124]

Is that product safe to use on brick which has your flowerbeds at the bottom of it?

[@andrewschannel3635]

Yes but if you splash the flowers it might burn them, cover them with some plastic if you can

[@SAGAWISIW30]

Can i use vinegar?

[@stephenmason5682]

That's for chipies not brickies!

[@surfprepsales]

Prosoco 600 detergent is the product used. DO NOT USE MURIATIC ACID

[@miadorsman7009]

Was thar muratic acid you put in the water??

[@Tupac4sure95]

WATCHED FOR NOTHING THE PRODUCT WAS WHAT I WANTED TO KNOW🤷🏽‍♂️

[@scottdowney4318]

Those bricks are not dirty with creosote, your going to find that in a fireplace. I am reconstructing my firebox. To clean the bricks, I have been burning them clean in fire. It removes all the hard black soot and carbon making firebrick look new, but it takes some effort. If I was a pro doing a rebuild, NEW bricks would be used. I was going to try scrubbing bubbles if I have some here.

[@richardnorton2024]

What is the acid liquid material you used in this demo?

[@stargazer8085]

YOU CAN USE MURIATIC ACID FROM HOME DEPOT..DOES A GREAT JOB ON REMOVING LIME/DEPOSITS/SOOT FROM BRICK AND IS NOT TOO CAUSTIC!!

[@WorthyCorington]

Shouldn't you be neutralizing the brick with Baking Soda afterwards to eliminate any lingering acid from damaging the mortar joints? Thats what you do when you're acid washing plaster pools.

[@EduardBP]

Before/After?

[@stephenmason5682]

There isn't an after, most visible difference was when he washed the brick with water!

[@hogfan2222]

Material

[@hankchinaski1095]

Did he dip his head it in it? whats up with his head?

[@drpeterthompson5894]

haha

[@rawbacon]

All in all...........

[@LeahLaushway]

This guy looks a helluva lot like Mitch Pillegi.

[@dirtydan9775]

2:32 me during science class

[@TyyDaymon]

Will that get old paint off

[@joshdiehl8737]

Paint stripper or heat gun and scrape it off

[@stevewayne1359]

"Material" ??????? Secondly, putting acid into water (and NOT water into acid) has NOTHING to do with SPLASHING you fools !!!!!! You put the acid into the water because of reactions which can occur with undiluted acids when water is introduced into them. For Pete's sake ... we learned this at school!!!!!!!!!

[@johndii2194]

I learned it in school!!!!!!!!! I say that a lot.

[@fluffywinter4350]

sandblasting could be an option, make a sealed plastic enclosure around fireplace big enough to work inside ,buy a cheap gun ,borrow/rent air compressor ,

[@declanbridges3132]

Yeah and blow all the joints out 😂

[@donalso]

TYPICAL COMPRESSORS DONT PROVIDE THE AIR VOLUME. TOO BAD AND SO SAD.

[@herbfellows6435]

Yeah, that sounds like a lot more money, work and aggravation, with the possibility of ruining everything, why not go that route.

[@rainmon1]

if you do, be sure to wear a respirator with a particulate cartridge. Silicosis takes a long time to show up, but is wicked when it does.

[@johnnyyankee8604]

My old brick house stains are so old that even pure acid would not get them out!

[@markusaurelius2527]

No after dry pic ?

[@mtgwdefender]

In the basement of my house the walls are 7 feet high the bottom two thirds are concrete and the top third is made of brick and mortar. There is a section of the brick in the corner of the wall that it is popping out and breaking apart. In this damaged area I find the efflorescence white material in the form of powder or crystals and there is no visible water, moisture or humidity on the wall, it looks totally dry. Also on the outside of the wall is the porch so there is no source of water and humidity coming from the outside. Could someone tell me why the bricks are popping out and breaking? . Also how to fix / prevent it, please

[@sarcasticcat4982]

Did you ever figure out what was happening?

[@raminehteshami]

What was the name of the cleaning product? Any Cleaner with Acid?

[@jakeb5815]

SureKlean 600

[@san379]

CLEANING GROUT JOINTS IN A OLD RENTAL BATHROOM WHERE THE TOILET IS AND I TOOK MURIATIC ACID AND USED IT STRAIGHT AND THE 10 YEARS OF PEE CAME OUT LOOKING LIKE NEW

[@ajhainstock3997]

san379 10 years of pee came out looking like new pee? Lol.... I know what you mean thou.

[@san379]

with acid gloves up to my elbows and goggles and respirator i cleaned the floor with the window open .. the floor looked great and grout sealer after .. its still there today

[@mynameisearl4170]

I TOO LOVE USING CAPS WHEN THEY ARE NOT NEEDED

[@Engineer9736]

I'm pretty sure if you do your whole house like this yourself, you WILL get the acid somewhere where you don't want it. On some object which it doesn't belong on or even on yourself. Better prepare properly for this or let the pro's do it.

[@inferioritycomplextransfer9711]

Your gonna want to bring hefty stretch bags and double bag for possible leaks

[@steveogrady893]

How is this stuff for oil patches on a block-paved driveway?

[@petewilburn9728]

Use cat litter.

[@sushimamba4281]

@@petewilburn9728 Then use the cat to mop up afterwards.

[@Michael-cm4fh]

What is the type of brush you used called? And how much acid vs. water did you use?

[@herbfellows6435]

It was a 10 parts water to one part product. But as they didn't tell us what the product was, I don't see the point of this video. There are a dozen products out there and they will vary by composition and strength, so what works with this product may or may not work with the one you buy. I guess the bottom line is go to the store and buy a product to do this and follow the instructions on the package. Not sure why we needed a video to tell us to do that.

[@joshuagrant6030]

​@@herbfellows6435it says Sure Clean 600 in description

[@mikelewis5152]

if i just repointed how long should i wait to clean?

[@MustPassTruck]

Wonder if I can put that acid in a pressure washer. ;)

[@yungcr0w440]

*new weapon unlocked*

[@oldtwinsna8347]

Does this work for cinder block retaining walls?

[@optimusprimo2012]

Right, everyone has a containment sock just ready to be used.

[@mariotommadich4685]

I never leave the house without my containment sock :P

[@waz7823]

Can I use this on my clay brick pavers driveway?

[@1stwashandseal]

just do an small area first

[@surfprepsales]

prosoco.com/products/hard-surface-care/

[@DonnaBrie]

What is the material used?🙄

[@marksteven3534]

You can replace the brick it will look much better.

[@herbfellows6435]

Or you can just buy a new house, with new brick. This video is just one solution, there are plenty of others that are more expensive and labor intensive. Why go the easy route when you can pay more and suffer?

[@miadorsman7009]

Tis is for a floor in my plant room!

[@inferioritycomplextransfer9711]

Place body on tarp

[@appalarajugarikina5024]

Salt remove sea sand and please give video

[@ithacacomments4811]

Some use oven cleaner....

[@chriswood4510]

I’m sticking with pressure washing lol

[@1806StoneHouse]

Would this work on stone houses too? We’re renovating an 1806 stone house and we have some stains from years of water damage.. we post new videos every week on KZbin if anyone is interested.. ( not an ad, just letting people know) I guess that is an ad technically. 😜

[@Shazzkid]

Depends on the type of stone, if it is a carbonate stone like limestone then no because the acid will dissolve it. However for stones like granite and slate its fine.

[@1806StoneHouse]

Shazzkid I better just use elbow grease.. 😜

[@grinndex]

Limestone is naturally alkaline. Are your water stains rusty or something else?

[@1806StoneHouse]

Benjamin Cantor-Stone I would say the stains are black (dark in color)and only where roof water is hitting the house.. near the porch roofs.. the porches are going to get repaired soon.. but, I was looking for a good way to clean the stones.. thanks for your help.

[@grinndex]

1806StoneHouse Hm...Try a masonry cleaning product that is specifically labelled as alkaline. Don't use wire bristles on ypur brushes unless other types don't work. If you want to make your own cleaner, a solution of lime may do the trick and strengthen your stones at the same time.

[@eddyflo2978]

Bro is a atrocity to us baldies, he clearly has a good hairline and CHOOSES to shave his head, what a slap to us who wish we could have hair

[@thefrugallandlord2226]

I'm assuming the acid is not good for exterior wood or paint.

[@KingNothing22]

why are you usuing a cleaner on wood meant for brick?

[@thefrugallandlord2226]

What about painted brick?

[@grinndex]

What kind of paint?

[@thefrugallandlord2226]

Exterior

[@grinndex]

the frugal landlord some kinds of paint cause moisture to be trapped in brick walls. Next time you repaint the brick walls, try something porous that's specially formulated for coating brick

[@thomasmitchell3042]

Looks like Prosoco BricKLEAN

[@1968Olympica]

I guess they can't reveal the product name; considered free advertising? Bummer.

[@Thompsongs]

AWwwwww, it's a brick.....scrub! It's mighty-mighty, just sprayin' all that grout.

[@sgvpotter]

if you want to save your face, add the acid to the base

[@herbfellows6435]

He actually said that.

[@pilotguy1141]

seems to me using a hot pressure washer with biodegradable cleaners would work a hell of a lot better then acid

[@mgkleym]

You are you to just let rip with a pressure washer in your living room eh?

[@daithi007]

Curing time, not curation time

[@flasher395]

Hm, I was expecting something .... else, but I guess that would have been 'on' instead of 'with' ;)

[@hogfan2222]

Acid material

[@inferioritycomplextransfer9711]

All the flesh dissolves into a gelatin