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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.

Things You'll Need

1 lb. oxalic acid
Plastic 1 gallon container
Plastic or latex gloves

Instructions

- 1
  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.
- 2
  Put your minerals into your oxalic acid, covering them completely. Leave it alone for several days.
- 3
  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.

Rocks & Minerals