Ed Sirett wrote:

On Fri, 21 Nov 2003 14:38:52 +0000, Andy Hall wrote:


On Fri, 21 Nov 2003 13:41:00 GMT, (Adrian Sims) wrote:


On Fri, 21 Nov 2003 08:59:22 -0000, "stuart noble"
wrote:


Get some citric acid crystals from the chemist (100 gms about 60p IIRC).

I was recently in a supermarket in spain and for some reason found
myself in the household chemicals aisle. (What a great way to spend
part of your holiday).

I spied some stuff which appeared to be some sort of descaler and
eventually managed to work out that it was hydrochloric acid. Every
supermarket seems to have it (always right next to the household
ammonia - another chemical now rather uncommon in the UK).

Nice that you can still buy dangerous chemicals within the EU!
I would like to put HCl into my kettle and toilet from time to time.
(Actually I remember when I was young you could buy it here under the
name "spirit of salt").

Adrian


You can buy it as brick acid, I believe, from DIY stores and builders
merchants.


Slightly weaker HCl is also available in 5 litre tubs as 'patio cleaner'.

Just remember ANY cement joints in the drains will be eroded by the
acid, do it too often and trouble awaits, the water companies don't like
it either, not only due to drain damage, but it kills the microbes in
the sewerage farms...

Niel, with a rather large acid treatment plant at work!