Using Muriatic Acid to Safely Lower Your Pool's pH

[Kateyru]

Do you folks know the baume % in "safer muriatic acid?"
Thanks.

[PoolDoc]

Unless you are referring to a specific brand and product, that question has no definite answer.

However in general, if you dilute muriatic acid to about 12% (instead of 31%) the fuming stops. However, without special equipment, the fuming DURING dilution is so bad, it's easier to tell people how to handle it straight from the bottle.

Also, you really have to watch out for some of the "safer" products -- they are designed for surface cleaning, and have added detergents, etc. NOT what you want in your pool!

[waterbear]

If you are referring to 'Safer Muriatic Acid' by WM Barr sold under the Kleen-Strip brand and/or "Acid Magic" by certol then these are 'buffered' muriatic acid products that contain 'propriatary' ingredents to reduce fuming and irritation to healty unbroken skin. While Acid Magic is listed on the manufacturer's website as suitable for pool/spa pH adjustment use the Safer Muriatic Acid is not.
While these products claim to be as effective in cleaning as 20 baum muriatic acid they do not claim that they ARE 20 baum muriatic acid and the MSDS for both indicate that they are actually much less concentrated that standard 20 baum muriatic acid.

[Kateyru]

Yes, it is Kleen-Strip brand. Thanks so much for the info!!