Brick Cleaning
Brick collectors must decide whether they wish to retain their bricks in their discovered condition or whether they wish to clean the bricks so that they closer resemble the bricks in their original unused condition.

In most cases, any large portions of remaining mortar can usually be removed by using a brick hammer or, if one is not available, and old screwdriver and a hammer. Gentle tapping will often dislodge the remaining mortar. Any remaining small portions of  mortar can then be removed by acid treatment.

WARNING

The method to be described uses hydrochloric acid as a 20% solution. You are advised to wear suitable protective equipment i.e. eye protection and rubber gloves. The small plastic container in the coffee lid is partially filled with acid and the acid bottle then closed for safety reasons. Accidents can happen if it is left open! The acid is applied to the brick using a brush made from a short length of plastic rope attached to a wooden or plastic handle by plastic garden twine.
Do not use metal wire to fasten the rope portion to the handle.

Wet the brick with water and then brush the acid over any remaining mortar. These will 'fizz' as the acid attacks the lime content. When the 'fizzing' stops, move the coffee lid away and wash the brick with water using a plastic bristle brush. It may be necessary to repeat the process if there are still remaining traces of mortar.