12 Cheap Chemicals From Your Local Hardware Store

Ahh, the friendly neighborhood hardware store, purveyor of bits and bobs, nuts and bolts, rat traps and… high quality chemicals for next to nothing?

While we certainly recommend online stores like United Nuclear or Make’s Science Room for obscure, specialty, or high-purity chemicals, your local hardware store is brimming with loads of industrial-grade chemicals for surprisingly low prices.

First, a few quick pro tips:

• We have noticed that the big box stores (Home Depot and Lowes) often don’t have many or all of these chemicals, while the smaller mom-and-pop (or Ace) stores generally do.  So don’t be shy, go introduce yourself to your local hardware store.
• In general, we have found that the more expensive, mainstream, or consumer-oriented an item’s packaging is, the more likely that there are dyes and fragrances added. Look for store brands, plain packaging, or items intended for commercial or professional use.

12 Cheap Chemicals From Your Local Hardware Store:

1. 20 Baume Muriatic Acid (AKA: 10 Molar Hydrochloric Acid, AKA: 10M HCl)
2. Janitor Strength Ammonia (AKA: 10% ammonium hydroxide, AKA: 10% NH4OH)
3. 100% Pure Lye  (AKA: 100% NaOH or 100% KOH – read the label)
4. Battery Acid, Cheap Drain Cleaners (AKA: Sulfuric Acid, concentration varies)
5. Mineral Oil
6. Kerosene
7. Bromic Acid – look in the pest control area – HBrO3 pellets
8. Root Eater (AKA: Copper Sulfate, AKA: CuSO4•5H2O)
9. Anti Freeze (AKA: Ethylene Glycol)
10. Steel Wool, Nails (AKA: Iron)
11. Moth Balls (AKA: Napthalene)
12. Rust Remover or Radiator Cleaner (AKA: Oxalic Acid)

Are there any hardware store finds we’ve missed? Leave them in the comments.

[[Image by Flickr user Nate.]]