Oxalic Acid

Oxalic Acid, or dicarboxylic acid is a chemical compound of Hydrogen, Carbon and Oxygen.

Within the sub-group of 'weak acids', Oxalic Acid is relatively strong. It is found naturally in varying concentrations, occuring in many plants such as tea, rhubarb, spinach, cocoa, nuts, berries and beans.

Oxalic acid has many uses in various industries, such as construction, joinery, furniture restoration, beekeeping and boating. However, oxalic acid can also be a very helpful chemical to use around the home.

The woodworking and joinery trade make extensive use of oxalic acid.

Crystals of oxalic acid rubbed onto wooden beams and floors removes unsightly stains caused by age, exterior exposure or rust easily.

It is not only wood that oxalic acid works wonders on. It can also be used to treat, polish and repair other materials such as stone, marble and stainless steel.

A beekeeper's worst enemy is the Varroa mite. Varroa destructor and Varroa jacobsoni are parasites that feed off the bodily fluids of adult bees, their pupae and lavae. You can see Varroa mites with the naked eye and they look like a small reddy brown spot on the bee's upper body. Varroa are carriers of a virus that is particularly damaging to the bees. Bees that are infected with this virus have visible wing deformities.

Varroa were first discovered in South-East Asia around 1904, but has now spread virtually worldwide, reaching the USA in 1987 and New Zealand in 2000.

The presence of Varroa has led to the virtual elimination of wild bee colonies and is a real problem for kept bees in apiaries.

When the growth of a hive population is reduced the mite population growth can overtake that of the bees and can then destroy the hive. Often, a colony will simply leave the hive under such conditions.

Oxalic acid is extremely effective for the control of Varroa mites. When applied either by spraying, trickling or vaporizing, it is more than 95% effective. Follwing the treatment, studies have shown that the naturally occuring levels of oxalic in the bees' honey is not effected.Therefore, beekeepers do not need to worry about residue problems.

Oxalic acid should be prepared shortly before use and used immediately. Oxalic acid solutions in sugar syrup can be kept for longer periods of time if the storage temperature is lower than 5°C.

Unsightly stains can occur on all different kinds of ships, boats and water-faring vessels due to age, exterior exposure or rust.

Fishermen and boating enthusiats utilise oxalic when preserving decks, maintaining wood and treating quays.

Oxalic acid is safe to use around the home, as long as you take the correct safety precautions.

Rust stains on porous surfaces such as carpets and clothing can be removed by using oxalic products. Applying the chemical to the effected area and blotting the excess will make the carpet look as good as new. Beware - do not use normal household bleach to remove rust stains - it will make it worse!

Oxalic acid can be used to remove blood, ink and urine stains from carpets.

Oxalic acid can also be found in various household cleaning products such as Barkeeper's friend, a popular wood product from the United States.

If you love to restore old furnuiture as a hobby or have some old wooden pieces that need a lift, use oxalic acid to freshen and lighten the wood after it has been stripped back.