Consumer advocacy teardown
Mortar Clen Brick & Patio Acid alternative & active ingredient dupe
Stop paying £16.50 for Everbuild. The bulk active is Technical hydrochloric acid 32–36% — 73% less per working litre than a typical pack.
- Active
- Hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid)
- CAS
- 7647-01-0
- Dupe
- Technical hydrochloric acid 32–36%
- Saving
- 73% / L
Saving is per litre of working-strength mix versus a typical pack price, not versus the DIY kit total. Shop prices move — always check the listing.
The Marketing Claim & The Catch
A typical 5 litres pack of Everbuild Mortar Clen Brick & Patio Acid is about £16.50 in patio & exterior. That is a snapshot, not a live Amazon price — listings, sizes and deals move. The marketing line is that you are buying a finished lifestyle product, not a weighed chemical.
On the pack: Cleans mortar stains, cement splashes and efflorescence from brickwork; and Etches smooth concrete before sealing.
The catch: Retail brick acid is technical hydrochloric acid cut to about 9%. 5 litres of 36% acid plus 15 litres of water is 20 litres of the same working strength.
- “Cleans mortar stains, cement splashes and efflorescence from brickwork”
- “Etches smooth concrete before sealing”
Proprietary Blend & Dosage Breakdown
The labelled active is Hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid) at 9%. Everything else in the pack is water and surfactants.
At 9% active, most of what you pay for is carrier and packaging. The brand is selling convenience, fragrance and a label — not a uniquely potent molecule.
Branded working strength is whatever comes out of the bottle. The bulk alternative is 36% Technical hydrochloric acid 32–36%, mixed to 1:3.
- Labelled active
- Hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid)
- 9%
- Carrier
- Water and surfactants
- Retail pack
- 5 litres · £16.50
The Active Chemical Alternative (Dupe Stack)
The dupe stack is Technical hydrochloric acid 32–36% at 36% bulk. Indexed as CAS 7647-01-0, formula HCl. Buy it as 5 litres for about £18.00 from Amazon UK.
Working strength: 1:3. Indicative cost £0.90 per diluted litre — 73% below a typical branded pack on a per-litre basis, before you reuse leftover bulk.
Follow the mixing method and the supplier SDS. Wear the listed PPE. Do not mix incompatible oxidisers, acids or ammonia.
- Corrosive. Acid-resistant gloves, splash goggles and a respirator. Always add acid to cold water — never water into concentrated acid.
- 1 part 36% acid + 3 parts water yields about 9% working brick acid (5 L concentrate → 20 L).
- Pre-wet the brick. Apply with an acid-resistant brush, dwell a few minutes, then rinse copiously. Keep off limestone, marble and metals you care about.
- Neutralise spills with bicarbonate, then rinse. Store locked away from bleach (chlorine gas).
Mixing desk
Dilution calculator
Switch between filling a sprayer and covering a measured surface. Figures are educational estimates from the listed ratio — always check the SDS.
Formula
Technical hydrochloric acid 32–36%
- Concentrate
- 1,250 ml
- millilitres of liquid
- Water
- 3.75 L
- carrier volume
- Batch cost
- £4.50
- 5 L working solution
- Saved vs retail
- £12.00
- 73% · retail £16.50
Estimated coverage at the listed rate: 20 m².
Side-by-Side Price & Potency Comparison
Head-to-head comparison
| Measure | Retail brandedEverbuild | Raw active dupeDupeStack |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Mortar Clen Brick & Patio AcidAmazon UK search — listing, not a confirmed seller | Technical hydrochloric acid 32–36% |
| Pack / unit | 5 litres · £16.50 | 5 litres · £18.00 |
| Active | Hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid) at 9%Carrier: Water and surfactants | 36% bulkHCl |
| CAS number | Not disclosed on pack | 7647-01-0 |
| Working strength | Ready-to-use pack | Dilute 1:3 |
| Cost per litre | £3.30 / L typical pack | £0.90 / L mixed from bulk |
| Headline saving | Baseline | 73% cheaper |
| COSHH / PPE | Follow the branded SDS | Gloves. Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene)Eye protection. Indirect-vent splash goggles — not ordinary spectaclesRespirator. Rated respirator for dusts or vapours as specified on the SDSAcid-resistant PPE. Apron and gloves rated for corrosive liquids |
Active ingredient and cheaper alternative — FAQ
What is the active ingredient in Everbuild?
Everbuild Mortar Clen Brick & Patio Acid is labelled as Hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid) at 9%. The carrier is Water and surfactants. Pack size: 5 litres. The bulk equivalent we index is Technical hydrochloric acid 32–36% (CAS 7647-01-0).
Is Technical hydrochloric acid 32–36% safe on paving?
Used at the listed working strength (1:3), the dupe is the same chemistry as the branded pack for paving, porcelain and masonry. That is not a blanket all-clear: read the supplier SDS, wear the listed PPE, keep acids away from hypochlorite, and follow UK HSE/COSHH rules. Wellness teardowns are supplements, not medicines.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Everbuild Mortar Clen Brick & Patio Acid?
Yes. The bulk equivalent is Technical hydrochloric acid 32–36% (CAS 7647-01-0). Indicative saving 73% per working litre versus a typical £16.50 pack. Working strength: 1:3. Live shop prices move.
How do you mix the Mortar Clen Brick & Patio Acid dupe stack?
Corrosive. Acid-resistant gloves, splash goggles and a respirator. Always add acid to cold water — never water into concentrated acid. 1 part 36% acid + 3 parts water yields about 9% working brick acid (5 L concentrate → 20 L). Pre-wet the brick. Apply with an acid-resistant brush, dwell a few minutes, then rinse copiously. Keep off limestone, marble and metals you care about. Neutralise spills with bicarbonate, then rinse. Store locked away from bleach (chlorine gas).
DupeStack provides chemical concentration data and educational mixing guides. Always review official manufacturer Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and comply with UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and COSHH regulations when handling concentrated substances. Some links on this site are affiliate links.
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DIY stack · 73% / L vs branded
£34.99indicative kit · Amazon cannot add a mixed search kit as one basket