7 Ways to Clean Using Citric Acid
If you dream of using only one organic, safe, and natural cleaning product, citric acid may be your best friend! When you make your own DIY citric acid spray, you can save money on store-bought materials, protect health by becoming chemical-free, and help the environment as you shine away.
Colorless and odor free, citric acid is the compound that makes citrus fruits tart and sour, according to Mommy’s Memorandum. It is safe to eat and is one of the most common additives used in the food industry. You will find citric acid in fruit juices, ice cream, canned foods, and even skin care products.
As a cleaner around the home, citric acid disinfects, cleans away bacteria, fights mold, and makes your home gleam. Use this sizzling cleaner on countertops, chrome, stainless steel, and more. Here are seven ways to use citric acid around the home.
It makes an ideal cleaner around the home, killing mildew, bacteria, and some fungi, according to The Spruce. Aside from cleaning, it also sanitizes, disinfects, removes hard water stains, lime calcium, deposits, and rust. Here are seven ways to use citric acid to make your home gleam.
Clean your kettle and coffee pot
If your home has hard water, you will want to have citric acid on hand, according to Green Citizen. Hard water creates a rough build up of limescale that is hard on your appliances.Simply add one or two teaspoons of citric acid to your kettle and coffee pot. Bring to a boil, rinse out, and repeat if necessary.
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Sanitizes dishwashers
That hard water is also tough on your dishwasher. As dishwasher detergents do not fully dissolve in hot water, they can create soap scum and this can then lead to the formation of bacteria.
For this easy, DIY home cleaner recipe, dissolve soap scum by adding two teaspoons of powdered citric acid and one teaspoon of baking soda and then run your dishwasher on a hot cycle. This process will get rid of soap scum and mineral deposits. Do this every 30 cycles to lengthen the life of your dishwasher.
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Disinfects surfaces
While you are still in the kitchen, use citric acid to disinfect those surfaces where you prepare and serve food. Simply add a few teaspoons of citric acid to warm water in a spray bottle.
Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, then spritz away, rubbing with a microfiber cloth. Your DIY spray will make your fridge and stove shine and will disinfect your countertops.
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Use as a natural fabric softener
Moving into the laundry room, make it more sustainable by bringing along your citric acid. Citric acid balances the pH of your laundry, making your clothes alkaline, according to Mommy’s Memorandum. The citric acid will soften the water and reduce the amount of laundry detergent you need to use.
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Cleans mirrors, glass, and shower doors
When you clean those bathrooms, citric acid is your main armor! Use a spray bottle containing citric acid and water. Similar to using natural white vinegar, spray it on the bathroom mirror and windows to make them gleam.
Citric acid also removes soap scum left on shower doors. Spray it on, then wipe down with a soft cloth. As citric acid is natural and chemical-free, you can ask your kids to help you clean without worrying about them touching or inhaling chemicals.
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Cleans toilet bowls
Take two tablespoons of citric acid and mix with one pint of warm water, suggests Green Citizen. Spray this in the toilet bowl. To get rid of those tougher stains, you can double or triple the strength of your citric acid spray.
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Makes showerheads and faucets gleam
Just like the toilet spray, mix two tablespoons with a pint of warm water. Spray onto faucets and into sinks, wait 20 seconds, then wipe away. Unlike those limescale removers you buy in the store, your DIY spray is from the source, is chemical-free, and works like a dream.
If your showerhead is no longer spraying, it could be clogged with limescale and calcium deposits. Remove the showerhead and place in a bowl of water with a teaspoon of citric acid. Let it soak for an hour and rinse it.
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