Hydrogen evolution and stripping of corrosion products from mild steel in 1m sulphuric acid and 1M hydrochloric acid in the presence of various inhibitors at various concentrations have been studied. These solutions were compared to 0.5, 1M and 2M citric acid and orthophosphoric acid solutions; 1M sulphuric acid inhibited with thiourea or benzotriazole was found to be slightly superior to citric acid solutions. Orthophosphoric acid solutions were more corrosive. The results suggested that inhibited 1M sulphuric acid could provide an alternative to citric acid for stripping corrosion products from iron objects in certain situations.