Citric acid, besides baking soda, is a household essential. It not only has antibacterial and deodorizing properties but can also restore rusted metal. It's an inexpensive and effective natural household cleaner. This article explains 4 benefits of citric acid, introduces 8 uses, and finally reminds you of 4 situations where citric acid is not suitable. Want to know the uses of citric acid? Then read on!
What is Citric Acid?
Citric acid (C6H8O7), also known as citric acid, is a colorless, weak organic acid. It's a natural preservative found in citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits. It's also used as a food additive to provide acidity; for example, the probiotic drinks similar to Yakult often included in bento boxes are made with citric acid.
Many natural cleaning agents are made from citrus fruits. Besides their appealing aroma, the most important ingredient is citric acid. Pure citric acid is a convenient and inexpensive cleaning agent, non-toxic and harmless. Furthermore, the dry, white powder form of citric acid is easier to preserve than pre-made cleaning agents!
4 Benefits of Citric Acid
Benefit 1: Antibacterial
Citral acid inhibits the growth and reproduction of bacteria and other microorganisms, achieving an antibacterial effect.
Benefit 2: Deodorizing
Another benefit of citric acid is its deodorizing properties. Citric acid denatures proteins, killing bacteria. A large part of common odors originates from bacteria; killing the bacteria eliminates the odor.
Benefit 3: Metal Reduction
Most metal oxides are insoluble in water but soluble in acids. Citric acid is a natural reducing agent, capable of oxidizing itself to reduce metal oxides back to their original shiny metal state. Therefore, if pots, jewelry, or other metal items become rusty, soaking them in citric acid can help reduce their rust.
Citric Acid's Benefit 4: Cleaning
Combining the above three benefits, it has antibacterial, deodorizing, and restorative properties, making it a super-effective natural cleaner. Moreover, citric acid is colorless and odorless, without the strong, pungent smell of vinegar, making it even more convenient to use!
8 Uses of Citric Acid
Use 1: Cleaning Thermos Vases
Add citric acid powder to a thermos filled with water, stir until completely dissolved, then press the heat button. After heating, pour out the water, then boil it again with clean water. The ratio is approximately 1:1 (1 liter of water + 1 tablespoon of citric acid). If the scale buildup is severe, you can increase the citric acid concentration accordingly.
Besides thermos flasks, other kitchen utensils can also be cleaned, such as yellowed or blackened electric cookers and stainless steel pots. Add 1-2 tablespoons of citric acid to the pot, then add water and boil for 5-10 minutes to accelerate the reaction. Afterward, the pot can be easily cleaned.
Citric Acid Use 2: Cleaning Toilet Urine Stains/Soap Stains
To remove urine stains, soap stains, limescale, and other grime from the toilet, using citric acid spray is the simplest method. Add 2 teaspoons (approximately 10 grams) of citric acid to 200ml of water to make a 5% citric acid solution. Shake well to ensure the citric acid is completely dissolved before use. Spray the prepared citric acid solution onto the area you want to clean, wait 10 minutes, and then scrub it off with a brush or wipe it with a cloth. Choosing a good tool will make it easier to remove the dirt. A fully waterproof electric brush can clean it effortlessly and in less time.
Citric Acid Use 3: More Effective Wet Compress for Stubborn Limescale
For stubborn limescale that hasn't been dealt with for a long time, a wet compress method is more effective. Spray a layer of citric acid solution onto the limescale, cover it with kitchen paper towels, spray it again, and wait half an hour for the citric acid to fully react with and break down the limescale. Then wipe and scrub to remove it. Kitchen paper towels can be repurposed into unused face towels, cotton pads, old gauze, etc. Faucets, mirrors, and glass can all be cleaned this way, leaving them sparkling clean and looking brand new.
Citral Acid Use 4: Sparkling Glassware
Add 2 tablespoons of citric acid to a basin, dissolve it in warm water, then soak the dishes in the solution for about 10 minutes. Scrub them with a scrubbing pad, and finally rinse with clean water. This will leave the dishes sparkling clean. This method works for glass and stainless steel dishes, restoring their clarity and shine.
Citral Acid Use 5: Everyday Household Cleaning Spray
Add about 1 tablespoon of citric acid to a 200ml spray bottle to make a 1% citric acid solution. This can be used as an everyday household cleaning spray to wipe tables, countertops, glass, etc.
Citric Acid Use 6: For Slow Water Flow from a Showerhead
Sometimes, after prolonged use, the water flow from a showerhead may seem to decrease, or some holes may appear clogged, resulting in a very slow water flow. This is because limescale buildup over time clogs the showerhead's nozzles. To clean it, fill a basin with warm water, add 2-3 tablespoons of citric acid, and soak the showerhead in the solution. This will remove the limescale! If your showerhead is detachable, disassemble it and scrub it for an even cleaner result!
Uses of Citric Acid 7: Restoring Whiteness to Clothes
Clothes and cuffs often yellow, no matter how much you wash them. Citric acid can help restore their whiteness. Prepare a basin of about one liter of water, add one tablespoon of citric acid, and soak the clothes for one hour. For areas you want to scrub more thoroughly, use a small brush. After soaking, remove the clothes and wash them as usual.
Use of Citric Acid 8: Washing Dishcloths
Dishcloths often develop a strong odor that's difficult to remove, even with scented laundry detergent. Use citric acid again. Prepare a pot specifically for washing dishcloths, add 2-3 tablespoons of citric acid, water, and the dishcloth. Boil it for 15-20 minutes after it boils, then let it cool. Wash the dishcloth as usual to remove the unpleasant odor.
Four Major Taboos of Citric Acid
Citric Acid Taboo 1: Citric Acid with Baking Soda
We often see people sharing cleaning tips that combine citric acid or vinegar with baking soda to create foam and significantly enhance cleaning effectiveness. However, this is not effective at all and may actually worsen the cleaning results.
Citric acid's cleaning effect comes not only from its chemical properties, which allow it to remove stains, but also from its reaction with stains of a similar nature. For example, citric acid is acidic and very effective at cleaning alkaline limescale. However, if you mix citric acid and baking soda, the acid and alkali are neutralized, making it impossible for them to react with the stains. Therefore, using them separately is the correct approach.
Citric Acid Taboo 2: Mixing with Other Cleaning Agents
Because we don't know the ingredients of commercially available cleaning agents, mixing them indiscriminately with citric acid can produce toxic fumes that can burn the respiratory tract and harm the body. It should especially not be mixed with bleach; in severe cases, it could even be fatal. Extreme caution is advised!
Citric Acid Taboo 3: Cleaning Aluminum Pots
Aluminum products are very sensitive to acids. Using citric acid to clean aluminum pots will cause them to turn yellow or black. While citric acid works well for cleaning stainless steel pots, it should never be used on aluminum pots!
Citric Acid Taboo 4: Scrubbing Marble Floors
Citric acid dissolves calcium, so using it to clean marble floors can leave them riddled with holes.
Citric acid is an essential household utility with a variety of uses. It's all-natural, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly, and importantly, it's very affordable. The above shares 8 uses of citric acid and 4 taboos related to its use, making your home life easier, safer, and more worry-free.