Uses

Steel Production
o Hydrochloric acid is used in pickling operations to remove rust and other impurities from
carbon, alloy and stainless steel, to prepare the steel for final applications in building and
construction projects, and in products such as car bodies and household appliances. It is
also used in aluminum etching and metal cleaning applications.

Household Cleaners
o Hydrochloric acid can be an ingredient in household cleaners such as toilet bowl cleaners,
bathroom tile cleaners and other porcelain cleaners, due to its corrosive properties that
help clean tough stains
Pool Sanitation
o Hydrochloric acid is used as a swimming pool treatment chemical, to help maintain an
optimal pH in the water.

Why is hydrochloric acid used in swimming pools?

o Hydrochloric acid is used to adjust the pH of swimming pool water.  Chlorine levels in
pool water is dependent on the pH of the water, which can be optimized with chemicals
such as hydrochloric acid. More information about maintenance for a healthy and safe
swimming pool experience can be found on the CDC’s 
Food Production and Processing
o The food industry uses hydrochloric acid to process a variety of food products, such as
corn syrups used in soft drinks, cookies, crackers, ketchup and cereals. Hydrochloric acid
is also used as an acidifier in sauces, vegetable juices and canned goods, to help enhance
flavor and reduce spoilage.
Calcium Chloride Production
o When hydrochloric acid is mixed or reacted with limestone, it produces calcium chloride,
a type of salt used to de-ice roads. Calcium chloride also has uses in food production as a
stabilizer and firming agent, for example in baked goods, as well as uses as an
antimicrobial.

1. Production of Organic Compounds

Hydrochloric acid/is used in the production of organic compounds like vinyl chloride and
dichloromethane for plastics or PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), bisphenol A, and many others.
2. Production of Inorganic Compounds
This acid is used to prepare compounds that are used as water treatment chemicals. Some
examples include polyaluminium chloride (PAC), iron(III) chloride, ferric acid, an aluminum
carbohydrate which are used in treating the water.It is also used as coaggulation and flocculation
agents in drinking water production, sewage treatment and paper production. Furthermore, used
in the regeneration of ion exchange resins and it is specifically used to rinse the cations from the
resins.
3. Removing Metal Stains and Cleaning Stone and Tiles
Hydrochloric acid is highly corrosive and because of this nature, it is used as a chemical to
remove stains or rust especially from metals like iron, copper, and others. It is often used in a
diluted form. Hydrochloric acid is commonly used for cleaning tiles in kitchens and bathrooms
and it also disinfects thoroughly. It is also used in the textile industry for bleaching clothes and
process leather in the leather tanning industry.
4. For Purification of Table Salt and pH Control
This acid is used to purify table salts. Further, HCl is used mostly for regulating the acidity (pH)
of solutions and it is used in controlling the pH of pharmaceutical products, foods, and water. It
is used for regulating the acidity (pH) of solutions. It is used to control the pH of pharmaceutical
products, foods and drinking water. It is also used for neutralizing waste streams (containing
alkaline substances).
5. For Oil Production
Hydrochloric acid is used in the production of oil production. Generally, HCl acid is injected into
a rock where due to the reaction the rock forms large-pore structures. Now, this significantly
assists in oil production.
These are some popular uses of Hydrochloric acid. To know more about the properties and
structure of acids and bases you can keep visiting BYJU’s or download our app for interesting
content and learning experience.

HCL is used in the fracking process and in many gases and oil extraction processes to acidify a
well to remove carbonate reservoirs, or limestones, from the rock or combined with other
materials to dissolve quartz, sand and clay from rocks. Other additives can be introduced to the
well to prevent the acid from breaking down steel casings.

o For regeneration of ion exchanger

It is used in the regeneration of ion exchange resins. It is used to rinse the cations from the resins.
Demineralized water and ion exchangers are used in drinking water production, all chemical
industries and many food industries.

This is an important step in maintaining water safety. Essentially, HCL contributes to the process
of removing ionized particles from water. Anyone who has purchased deionized water has
benefited from the HCL’s role in the ion exchange process.

o Leather processing
Hydrochloric acid is one of the substances used in the leather tanning process. Tanneries use
HCL to stop the development of bacteria and maintain the proper pH level of leather.