The Little-Known Cleaning Powers of Citric Acid

The Little-Known Cleaning Powers of Citric Acid

Would you like to use a natural and biodegradable product to clean your home? Citric acid might be just what you're looking for!

 

Citric acid—which naturally occurs in large quantities in some citrus fruits—has certain properties you may not be aware of that are quite useful for household chores. It’s really worth considering: it’s an effective cleaning agent that can kill bacteria, remove calcium deposits, and make glass shine.  

How to Use 

Citric acid is a multipurpose ingredient! By combining it with warm water, you can stop spending all that time scrubbing with little to no results! Usually, all you need is two to five tablespoons of citric acid per litre of warm water. Brush this solution on the surface you want to wash and rinse well with clean water. For example:

 

  • It can be used to clean chrome, stainless steel, ceramic or plastic surfaces.
  • It is likewise ideal for removing hard water deposits and soap scum from glass or plastic shower doors.
  • You would like to descale your faucets? You can rub the mixture on with a rag or pour it into a plastic bag and attach it to the spout, submerging it. Leave approximately two hours and rinse.
  • Have you burnt food onto the bottom of your stainless steel pan and are going to trash it? Not so fast! Mix two tablespoons of citric acid in a cup of water and pour this solution in the pan. Heat over a burner for a few minutes, then rinse well with clean water. Finish by washing as usual and it will be like new.
  • Are you tired of never being able to completely remove coffee stains from the bottom and edges of your cups and mugs? Drop in a teaspoonful of citric acid, add some water and scrub well before rinsing with water. 

What You Need to Know

Citric acid is safe but can irritate the skin and eyes. It is therefore recommended that you wear gloves when handling it and protective glasses when you combine it with warm water. Moreover, it should not be used on marble, aluminum or enamel. Finally, never mix citric acid with other chemical products to avoid undesirable and potentially dangerous reactions.

Where to Get Some

You should have no trouble finding citric acid in small quantities at the grocery store, but if you want to purchase more you may have to go to a bulk store or order online. Bakery, confectionery and restaurant suppliers, craft stores and chemical product suppliers also sell it.

 

Citric acid has multiple applications in the home, as you’ve just learned. It can be your best ally in getting your home spotless quickly and easily! 

RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

A leader in the real estate industry since 1982, the RE/MAX network brings together the most efficient brokers.