For me, at least, the benefits of using a home-made acid solution definitely outweigh any drawbacks.
I use two parts of the common drugstore/pharmacy/chemist-type 3% Hydrogen Peroxide and one part of the common hardware or paint store type of Muriatic Acid (28% Hydrochloric Acid).
Extremely-widespread availability and low cost are two key benefits. It's also nearly transparent (very light green), and works very quickly; about five minutes, at room temperature, with mild agitation. It can also be rejuvenated (with the need for that being indicated by the solution turning from light green to light blue), so it never needs to be disposed of (although it's so cheap that I always just make a new batch).
I typically put a little of it into a small, shallow plastic tub and wear a latex glove while gently wiping the board's surfaces with a balled-up paper towel, which also enables me to make sure that different areas finish etching at about the same time.
I've never had any problems with it, while using it in my kitchen. I'll never go back to Ferric Chloride, or even one of the persulphates.
Details are at **broken link removed** .
- Tom Gootee