- Amal Augustine
- January 24, 2026
Amazing Oxalic Acid Uses in Daily Life with Simple Examples
In Oxalic Acid Uses in Daily Life, Oxalic acid is an important organic compound that plays a significant role in both chemistry and everyday life. Chemically, in oxalic acid uses in daily life, oxalic acid has the formula H₂C₂O₄ and is known as the simplest dicarboxylic acid. Although it is a strong acid compared to many other organic acids, oxalic acid occurs naturally in many plants and vegetables such as spinach, rhubarb, tomatoes, and cocoa. Understanding Oxalic Acid uses in daily life helps us appreciate how this chemical is involved in common household, industrial, and biological processes.
Natural Occurrence and Basic Properties
Oxalic acid is a colorless crystalline solid and is highly soluble in water. In nature, it exists in the form of calcium oxalate crystals in plants. These crystals help plants regulate excess calcium. From a chemistry perspective, oxalic acid is a reducing agent and forms salts known as oxalates. Many Oxalic Acid uses in daily life arise from these chemical properties.
Oxalic Acid Uses in Daily Life ,it is use as a Cleaning and Stain-Removing Agent
One of the most common Oxalic Acid uses in daily life is as a cleaning agent. Oxalic acid is widely used to remove stubborn stains such as rust, ink, and mineral deposits. In Oxalic acid uses in daily life, it is particularly effective in removing iron stains from bathroom tiles, sinks, and bathtubs.
Woodworkers also use oxalic acid to remove dark stains from wooden furniture and floors. It helps restore the natural color of wood without damaging the surface, making it a popular choice for furniture polishing and restoration.
Use in Laundry and Fabric Care
Oxalic acid is used in laundry applications to remove stains caused by rust and metal ions. It is often present in stain removers and fabric cleaners. In many households, products containing oxalic acid are used to whiten clothes and remove yellowish stains caused by hard water. This is another practical example of Oxalic Acid uses in daily life.
Oxalic Acid Uses in Daily Life – Use in Food Industry (Indirect and Controlled)
Although oxalic acid itself is not added directly to food due to its toxic nature in large amounts, its presence in food chemistry is significant. It occurs naturally in vegetables like spinach and beetroot. In controlled industrial settings, oxalic acid is used in food processing for cleaning and sanitizing equipment.
Additionally, oxalates formed from oxalic acid play a role in food preservation and packaging industries. Thus, food-related applications are an important part of Oxalic Acid uses in daily life.
Use in Metal Cleaning and Polishing
In Oxalic uses in daily life, Oxalic acid is commonly used to clean and polish metals such as copper, brass, and stainless steel. It removes oxide layers and tarnish, restoring shine to metal surfaces. In households, metal cleaning solutions containing oxalic acid are used to maintain utensils, tools, and decorative items. This makes metal cleaning a major category under Oxalic Acid uses in daily life.
Use in Water Treatment and Boiler Cleaning
In water treatment plants and boilers, oxalic acid is used to remove scale deposits formed by calcium and iron salts. It helps dissolve these deposits and improves efficiency. Although this use is more industrial, it directly affects daily life by improving water quality and energy efficiency.
Oxalic Acid Uses in Daily Life – Use in Medicine and Laboratories
Oxalic acid is used in laboratories for analytical purposes and standardization of solutions. In medicine, oxalic acid derivatives are used in controlled chemical reactions. While direct medical use is limited, laboratory and pharmaceutical applications contribute to Oxalic Acid uses in daily life through research and diagnostics.
Safety and Health Considerations
While discussing Oxalic Acid uses in daily life, it is important to note that oxalic acid can be toxic if consumed in large quantities. Excess oxalates can contribute to kidney stone formation. Therefore, products containing oxalic acid should be handled carefully, and consumption of oxalate-rich foods should be balanced.
30 MCQs on Oxalic Acid Uses in Daily Life:
1.
The density of a solution prepared by dissolving 120 g urea (M = 60) in 1000 g water is 1.15 g/mL. The molarity is:
a) 0.50 M
b) 1.02 M
c) 1.78 M
d) 2.05 M
Answer: d
2.
Volume of O₂ at NTP liberated by 5 A current for 193 s through acidulated water is:
a) 56 mL
b) 224 mL
c) 158 mL
d) 96.5 mL
Answer: a
3.
Normality of 0.2 M H₃PO₂ is:
a) 0.2 N
b) 0.4 N
c) 0.6 N
d) 0.06 N
Answer: b
4.
Molarity of pure water is:
a) 18
b) 55.6
c) 100
d) 5.6
Answer: b
5.
Two HCl solutions A and B are 0.5 N and 0.1 N. Volumes required to make 2 L of 0.2 N HCl are:
a) 0.5 L A + 1.5 L B
b) 1.5 L A + 0.5 L B
c) 1.0 L A + 1.0 L B
d) 0.75 L A + 1.25 L B
Answer: a
6.
Mole fraction of benzene in a solution containing 39% by mass in an organic solvent (M = 122) is:
a) 0.5
b) 0.6
c) 0.8
d) 0.35
Answer: a
7.
Experimentally determined molar mass of BaCl₂ in water by Cottrell’s method is:
a) equal to calculated molar mass
b) more than calculated molar mass
c) less than calculated molar mass
d) double the calculated molar mass
Answer: c
8.
Vapour pressure of water = 3000 N m⁻². After adding 5 g non-volatile solute to 100 g water, vapour pressure becomes 2985 N m⁻². Molar mass of solute is:
a) 90
b) 180
c) 200
d) 270
Answer: b
9.
Normality of 0.25 M H₃PO₃ is:
a) 0.125 N
b) 0.75 N
c) 0.50 N
d) 0.25 N
Answer: c
10.
Concentration of solution by dissolving 4.2 g NaF in 500 g water is:
a) 0.00840 molal
b) 0.00840 molar
c) 0.200 molar
d) 0.200 molal
Answer: d
11.
Which concentration expression is independent of temperature?
a) Molarity
b) Molality
c) Formality
d) Normality
Answer: b
12.
100 mL acid is neutralized by 50 mL NaOH containing 0.2 g NaOH. Concentration of acid is:
a) 0.1 N
b) 0.5 N
c) 0.2 N
d) 0.25 N
Answer: a
13.
Normality of “30 volume H₂O₂” is:
a) 2.678 N
b) 5.336 N
c) 8.034 N
d) 6.688 N
Answer: b
14.
1 mole P₄O₁₀ reacts with water to make 1 L solution of H₃PO₄. Normality is:
a) 4.0 N
b) 8.0 N
c) 12.0 N
d) 4.0 N
Answer: c
15.
18 g urea in 1500 cm³ solution, density = 1.052. Molality is:
a) 0.2
b) 0.1
c) 0.192
d) 1.2
Answer: c
16.
Volume of 2 M H₂SO₄ required to form 0.2 N of 100 mL solution is:
a) 5 mL
b) 10 mL
c) 20 mL
d) 50 mL
Answer: a
17.
Solution formed by dissolving 40 g NaOH in 1000 g water is:
a) 1 molar
b) 1 normal
c) 1 molal
d) None
Answer: c
18.
KMnO₄ reduced to MnSO₄. If normality is 1 N, molarity is:
a) 0.5 M
b) 0.2 M
c) 1.0 M
d) 0.4 M
Answer: b
19.
0.0100 g urea added to 0.3000 dm³ water. Molality is:
a) 5.55 × 10⁻⁴
b) 3.33
c) 3.33 × 10⁻⁴
d) 0.555
Answer: a
20.
Mole fraction of CH₃OH in 5.2 molal solution is:
a) 0.1
b) 0.19
c) 0.086
d) 0.05
Answer: c
21.
Correct statements about colloids are:
I. Color of hydrophobic sol depends on wavelength scattered
II. Smaller gold number → greater protective power
III. Movement of sol particles under electric field is electroosmosis
Options:
a) I and II
b) I and III
c) II and III
d) I, II and III
Answer: a
22.
Correct statement when concentration of salt solution is increased:
a) Boiling point increases and vapour pressure decreases
b) Boiling point decreases and vapour pressure increases
c) Freezing point decreases and vapour pressure increases
d) Freezing point increases and vapour pressure increases
Answer: a
23.
To prepare 2 dm³ of decinormal oxalic acid solution, mass required is:
a) 6.3 g
b) 0.63 g
c) 12.6 g
d) 1.26 g
Answer: c
24.
25 mL of 0.08 N HCl neutralizes 20 mL NaOH. Mass of NaOH present in 5 dm³ is:
a) 20 g
b) 10 g
c) 30 g
d) 40 g
Answer: a
25.
19 g mixture of NaHCO₃ and Na₂CO₃ on heating liberated 1.12 L CO₂ at STP. Remaining solid = 15.9 g. Mass of Na₂CO₃ originally is:
a) 8.4
b) 15.9
c) 10.6
d) 4
Answer: c
26.
Volume of 0.1 M NaOH required to neutralize 100 mL of 0.3 M H₃PO₃ is:
a) 600 mL
b) 60 mL
c) 300 mL
d) 30 mL
Answer: a
27.
Molarity of NaOH solution by dissolving 4 g in 250 mL water is:
a) 0.4 M
b) 0.8 M
c) 0.2 M
d) 0.1 M
Answer: a
28.
Density of 2.05 M acetic acid solution is 1.02 g/mL. Molality is:
a) 2.28 mol kg⁻¹
b) 3.28 mol kg⁻¹
c) 0.44 mol kg⁻¹
d) 1.14 mol kg⁻¹
Answer: a
29.
Normality of 10 L volume H₂O₂ is:
a) 0.176
b) 0.88
c) 1.78
d) 3.52
Answer: c
30.
1.00 molal KI solution: which change increases vapour pressure?
a) Add NaCl
b) Add Na₂SO₄
c) Add 1.00 molal KI
d) Add water
Answer: d
Conclusion on Oxalic Acid Uses in Daily Life
In conclusion, Oxalic Acid uses in daily life extend across cleaning, laundry, metal polishing, water treatment, and laboratory applications. Its effectiveness in removing stains, rust, and mineral deposits makes it a valuable household and industrial chemical. Although it must be handled with care due to its toxic nature, oxalic acid remains an important compound that quietly supports many everyday activities.
Amal Augustine is the founder of ExQuizMe, a dynamic learning and quiz platform built to make education engaging, competitive, and fun. A passionate learner and an academic achiever, Amal completed his schooling at Government HSS Manjapra, graduating with 92.5% in Computer Science. He later earned his degree from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, one of India’s most prestigious arts and science institutions.
Currently, Amal is pursuing his Master’s degree at National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan, where he continues to deepen his interest in research and technology. Throughout his school and college years, he won 50+ national-level interschool and collegiate quiz competitions, was
Beyond academics, Amal Augustine is an avid reader of science journals, a dedicated research student, and a technology enthusiast who loves programming and exploring the world of Computer Science. Through ExQuizMe, he aims to make learning accessible, enjoyable, and empowering for students across the globe.