Acid burns

[thekraut]

I accidentally poured some concentrated HCl (10 wt%) over my trousers. it's not much but enough to burn some nice holes. strangely enough all that has happened so far is that the colour has disappeared. does anyone know a way to prevent holes? I already know that adding water is not a good idea.

[Mortartube]

Generally adding water to acid is a no no, but if you fill your bath with cold water and hold the trousers on the end of a broom handle or similar. Just dunk them in quickly and submerge them. You should then be able to wring them out by hand whilst wearing your old faithful marigold gloves.

[Hamish]

10% HCl is not particularly concentrated. The way to stop dammage is to soak in lots ( ie a bath) of water as Mortartube suggests. I regularly used 33% and haven't had holes from this. NaOH (Caustic soda) is much more efficient at breakeing down protines (Cotton) I have even put holes in my leather shoes with this.