FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[al mar]

Hello,

I am trying to clean some specimens with the famous Waller solution, a mixture of sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate and sodium dithionite. As sodium citrate is not available in some countries , I wonder if I can substitute with citric acid and sodium bicarbonate, to react among them and form the desired amount of sodium citrate.

Regards

[Matt_Zukowski]

On Mindat I read that Waller solution is sold commercially as Super Iron Out (SIO). Perhaps that is available commercially where you live.

It seems like you could substitute citric acid as long as you add enough of a base to neutralize the acidity. Do you have any low-value specimens you can experiment on? Below is a link to the MSDS for SIO. Note that SIO contains citric acid - perhaps the sodium carbonate neutralizes the acidity.

https://www.aquapuredepot.com/img/product/description/MSDS_U1216N_ANG.pdf

Since this is a public forum, I feel obligated to caution you about working with any chemicals, either commercially supplied or home brewed. Please make sure you know and implement any advisable safety protocols.

Good Luck!

[Matt_Zukowski]

I just found this link:
https://www.mineral-forum.com/message-board/viewtopic.php?t=3860

[al mar]

Thanks, where I live SIO is not available, and sodium citrate is more expensive than Citric acid + bicarbonate

[James Catmur]

amazon.es and other sites sell it in Spain