Using citric acid as a natural alternative for home cleaning

What is citric acid?

 

It is an organic acid with a low pH, but acidic enough to remove stubborn alkaline substances. When used, it penetrates and dissolves minerals, fats and other substances, making them soluble in water.

Citric acid is very effective in removing rust and lime stains, as well as being an excellent polish for stainless steel, ceramics, glass, etc. without scratching the surfaces.

It has a dual function as it is a degreaser and also a disinfectant, and is also a non-toxic and ecological alternative as it is biodegradable.

Here we are going to give you several examples of how and where to use them.

 

Cleaning dishwasher with residue

As we have already told you on other occasions, citric acid is a very versatile product that has multiple uses for cleaning and disinfecting our home.

To remove dirt and residue built up in the dishwasher (and if you live in areas where the water is hard and causes detergents to not dissolve well and accumulate residue) that can become a breeding ground for bacteria and bad odors, add two teaspoons of citric acid and one of baking soda and run a hot water cycle.

Unclogging the dirt from the washing machine

Another very common problem, especially in areas where the water is hard or very hard, is that the washing machine has dirt stuck and we don't know how to solve it ourselves. Here we leave you a quick and easy trick to help you solve it.

Put two teaspoons of citric acid along with one teaspoon of baking soda in an empty hot water cycle once a month, this should be enough to keep your washing machine clogs at bay.

How to soften clothes

Mix 10g citric acid with 100ml warm water and pour the result into the fabric softener compartment.

Eco-friendly carpet cleaner

Mix 90g of citric acid with a litre of warm water, pour into a spray bottle , spray onto the carpet and scrub with a coarse-bristled brush or vacuum.

 

How to remove limescale from taps/sinks?

To clean them, simply mix two tablespoons of citric acid in half a litre of warm water and mix well. Pour into a spray bottle and spray onto the taps, washbasins, sinks... and let it sit for 30 seconds before cleaning with the cloth .

Another natural and sustainable way to remove limescale from taps and shower heads is to use lemon juice to leave them sparkling and shiny.

You can also unscrew the tap and soak it in cleaning vinegar and then rinse it well to remove limescale.

For coffee machines with limescale

Fill the coffee pot with water up to the end of the stains, add 1 or 2 teaspoons of citric acid and boil. Afterwards, rinse and check, if there are still any stains, repeat the process.

It is important to rinse thoroughly with water afterwards.

How to clean hard water stains from the toilet?

To remove these unsightly stains we use the same mixture that we use with the taps, we spray it on the toilet bowl every time it is cleaned to keep those stains at bay.

 

Disinfection of household surfaces

Citric acid is a powerful antimicrobial, making it very useful for cleaning kitchen countertops, tables, or other surfaces where we prepare food or eat.

We will mix a few tablespoons with warm water and spray the surfaces, then wipe with a cloth to remove any residue that may remain.

Polishing of stainless steel equipment and surfaces

Just spray on some citric acid cleaner and wipe it down to make it shine.

Deep cleaning of oven racks

Soak the oven rack in hot water and citric acid for 1 hour and then scrub with a esparto or copper scouring pad.

Descaling a water heater

You need to add 275g of citric acid to the cold water inlet, let it sink to the bottom and dissolve, then heat the water and let the acid do its magic for 6-8 hours, then empty the tank completely.

Clean the bottom of pots and pans

Pour water into the base of the pot/pan along with two tablespoons of citric acid , heat until boiling and… the dirt will come off.

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Mixing Instructions for Spraying:

Mix one part citric acid with two parts warm water (preferably distilled) in a non-metallic container and stir with a wooden spoon to avoid any reaction with the metal, then pour into spray bottles.

Lavender or tea tree essential oil can be added for additional antibacterial properties.

And if there is also a difficult stain, you can add baking soda .

 

Precautions before use:

Keep it in a dry place, away from heat and humidity.

Always mix with warm water to dissolve completely.

Keep out of reach of children and pets

Read the instructions before

Avoid contact with eyes as it causes eye irritation.

Do not ingest

Do not mix acid with bleach

Do not mix with sodium percarbonate or carbonate.

We are not responsible for misuse or unwanted effects (we advise you to test it first on a small, inconspicuous area)