White stains on red oxide floor after oxalic acid contact

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sauravghosh

Adept
Sorry for this weird topic. But today I was cleaning our loft tank with dust acid (says oxalic acid on the packet) mixed with slight water, and after I was done I noticed the red oxide floor has turned completely white. It looks like sh!t. Please tell me what I can do to undo my doing. Lol.

PS: Added a photo
 

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sauravghosh said:
Sorry for this weird topic. But today I was cleaning our loft tank with dust acid (says oxalic acid on the packet) mixed with slight water, and after I was done I noticed the red oxide floor has turned completely white. It looks like sh!t. Please tell me what I can do to undo my doing. Lol.

PS: Added a photo
Click to expand...

Oh no! I have red oxide floor in my house too and it's a very touchy surface! Even Harpic causes instant white spots on it so I'm very careful when I clean my tiled floor rooms with Harpic because if I accidentally spill some on the red oxide floor it leaves white marks.

Usually wiping the floor with water for days gets rid of the Harpic stains but in your case it's a much larger area and painting the floor could be the best option I think.
 
Black_Hawk said:
I'm very careful when I clean my tiled floor rooms with Harpic because if I accidentally spill some on the red oxide floor it leaves white marks.
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Why not try Lysol? It's neutral and will be gentler.

Harpic has acid in it and will be harsher. I didn't even know Harpic did a floor cleaner
 
blr_p said:
Why not try Lysol? It's neutral and will be gentler.

Harpic has acid in it and will be harsher. I didn't even know Harpic did a floor cleaner
Click to expand...

I use the normal blue Harpic on ceramic tiles in my house (bathrooms) and never had a problem with it. I use only a little though, scrub the tiles and then wash the tiled area with water thoroughly. I do not leave the Harpic on the ceramic tiles long at all... smear, scrub lightly and wash. Done.

However, Harpic on red-oxide floor is a strict no-no. Like I said it leaves white marks instantly.

Now coming to Lysol... yes you can use it to wipe red oxide floor. That's what is used in my house daily (Lysol & Water mixture) to wipe the red oxide floor. But it takes a very long time to remove white stains on red oxide floors. For larger stains like in OP's case I think painting is the best option.
 
Black_Hawk said:
I use the normal blue Harpic on ceramic tiles in my house (bathrooms) and never had a problem with it. I use only a little though, scrub the tiles and then wash the tiled area with water thoroughly. I do not leave the Harpic on the ceramic tiles long at all... smear, scrub lightly and wash. Done.

However, Harpic on red-oxide floor is a strict no-no. Like I said it leaves white marks instantly.
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Amazed you use blue Harpic on the bathroom floors. I guess it works but that is hydrochloric acid and it can't be good long term for the white cement that the tiles are on.

No question of using Harpic on red oxide
 
blr_p said:
Amazed you use blue Harpic on the bathroom floors. I guess it works but that is hydrochloric acid and it can't be good long term for the white cement that the tiles are on.

No question of using Harpic on red oxide
Click to expand...

Ooops... I just went and checked. I use the red bottle of Harpic for the floors, not the blue one. It's meant for floor cleaning.
 
sauravghosh said:
Sorry for this weird topic. But today I was cleaning our loft tank with dust acid (says oxalic acid on the packet) mixed with slight water, and after I was done I noticed the red oxide floor has turned completely white. It looks like sh!t. Please tell me what I can do to undo my doing. Lol.

PS: Added a photo
Click to expand...
Idk about the undoing but that picture feels so nostalgic! That floor.. That wooden chair.. The stain right under that tank matching the tank's shade.. Just wow!
 
Black_Hawk said:
Ooops... I just went and checked. I use the red bottle of Harpic for the floors, not the blue one. It's meant for floor cleaning.
Click to expand...
See how easy it is to confuse given what Harpic is known for. And that's not a good thing this Harpic's decision to offer a floor cleaner as well.
 
rootyme said:
Idk about the undoing but that picture feels so nostalgic! That floor.. That wooden chair.. The stain right under that tank matching the tank's shade.. Just wow!
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Ha ha yes. It's a 50 year old house, never bothered to change the red floor with the tiles/marbles.
Anyway, really wish there was an option which is other than painting over. Read online that baking soda works or something, not sure.
Thanks for the replies.
 
It's too late now. Should've poured something basic on it immediately, like baking soda. You can lighten the marks upto some extent with baking soda even now. If the floor is etched, you'll need to reapply the red oxide coating. Redoing is not a big deal though.

I play with acids a lot and I keep baking soda nearby for any accidental spills. Same goes for strong bases... I keep vinegar handy. I also use baking soda or vinegar to clean my hands and tools afterwards.
 
chyawanprash said:
I play with acids a lot and I keep baking soda nearby for any accidental spills. Same goes for strong bases... I keep vinegar handy. I also use baking soda or vinegar to clean my hands and tools afterwards.
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Curious about why you play with acids... can always use more people with a knowledge of chemistry here

This idea that acid can neutralise base /alkaline and vice versa is largely missing with a lot of people. It shouldn't be because its 7th std stuff
 
blr_p said:
This idea that acid can neutralise base /alkaline and vice versa is largely missing with a lot of people. It shouldn't be because its 7th std stuff
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Therein lies the faulty education system focusing on theory and grades only. Without practical application, nobody is going to remember a 7th standard stuff after more than two decades, i mean those who are in their mid 30s anyway. In fact before creating this topic I was so embarrassed. Not knowing such a basic thing.

@chyawanprash how to you apply it the soda? Just pour it raw on the paches, or mixed with water? And let it soak for how long?
 
sauravghosh said:
In fact before creating this topic I was so embarrassed. Not knowing such a basic thing.
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At least you had an idea of the chemical present. That's not usually the case.

I've seen reviews for washing machine cleaner which contained oxalic acid and it took the shine right of a stainless steel drum. I don't have a good explanation for why that happened?
 
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blr_p said:
This idea that acid can neutralise base /alkaline and vice versa is largely missing with a lot of people. It shouldn't be because its 7th std stuff
Click to expand...
Agreed. In my case it didn't really work though. My bathroom tiles reacted badly to spilled blue harpic, so I put soda.
Unluckily, the bathroom tiles aren't exactly smooth, they have a texture (I guess for grip).

Now the formed salt is permanently stuck between the texture. It is non-soluble, so we are stuck with it (also added slipperiness in that area)
 
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