Citric acid, what is it and why is it so valuable in the home? Economical and multipurpose, it represents a versatile substance that can help us in household cleaning to replace many detergents and dedicated products. From laundry to glass, here's how to use citric acid and where to buy it.
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THEcitric acid is a multipurpose substance that allows you to say goodbye to various household cleaning and laundry products. Used in the right doses, it is very effective and saves time and money. Let's find out how to use citric acid in our home, because it is effective and ecological and where to buy it
Index
What is Citric Acid
THEcitric acid It is a compound naturally present in citrus fruits that is sold in the form of powder or granules and which can be transformed into a valid ally in cleaning the house and in the preparation of simple do-it-yourself products for personal care.
As we can already understand from the name, citric acid is a substance that in contact with water forms a solution with an acidic pH that also allows to counteract limestone by dissolving it completely both in the encrustations of sinks, tubs and showers both in the washing machine and in the dishwasher, if we use it in the right way.
Citric acid, advantages
Using citric acid in house cleaning and laundry is really advantageous because it allows you to have more products available starting from a single raw material.
- Reduction of household detergents to buy
- Self-production of several products with a single raw material
- Product effective in a few moments as an anti-limescale
- Effective in both washing machine and dishwasher
- It saves money when used with common sense
- It is less polluting than vinegar
- It doesn't take much to get a good result
- It is odorless and leaves no bad odors
How to use citric acid
Citric acid is very versatile and can replace, as mentioned, various household cleaning and detergent products if used in the right doses and methods. Here are some of its possible uses in the home and for personal care.
Laundry softener
A homemade laundry softener can be prepared simply by dissolving it inside a clean plastic container, into which you will have spilled 50 gr of citric acid e 500 ml of water. It is advisable to use a bottle with a cap, so that it can be shaken before use. Calculate to use about 100 ml of the product obtained for each washing in the washing machine, pouring the softener into the special compartment.
Do-it-yourself descaler
THEcitric acid can be used for preparation of an anti-limescale to be used on all washable surfaces, on bathroom fixtures and on tiles (excluding marble and wood). It will be enough to prepare a solution to the 15% citric acid, corresponding to 150 g of product to be dissolved in a liter of water. It is advisable to transfer the descaler thus obtained into a spray container to facilitate its use.
Descaler for the washing machine
The same 15% solution prepared for descaler can be used as descaler for the washing machine. It will be necessary to pour the entire liter of water into the washing machine drum and carry out a high temperature wash. The treatment should be repeated once a month. Read also: HOW TO CLEAN THE WASHING MACHINE
Rinse aid for the dishwasher
A solution of water and 15% citric acid prepared as above, it can be used as a rinse aid for the dishwasher. The citric acid rinse aid must be poured into the special compartment of the dishwasher, which can be started normally.
After shampoo
Those who use ecological shampoos without silicones for hair care may find themselves, at least initially, to fight against frizzy hair. To solve the problem it is advisable to carry out an acid rinse after shampooing, diluting one or two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a liter of water or a pinch of citric acid. The hair will be much shinier and more disciplined.
Fizzy bath bombs
THEcitric acid can be used for making bombs sparkling bath towels to be dissolved in the tub water. Combine 100 g of bicarbonate, 50 g of corn starch and 50 g of citric acid in a bowl, sprinkle with water and work with the help of a spoon until the mixture is so compact that it can be transferred into molds (yoghurt cans are perfect) inside which to compress layer by layer with the help of a teaspoon. Let the biscuits rest for at least a couple of hours before taking them out of the containers and then let them air dry for a while.
Window cleaning
for glass cleaning and mirrors, it is possible to prepare a spray product by dissolving a teaspoon of citric acid in a liter of water, to which also add a teaspoon of ecological dish detergent. It will be sufficient to shake everything inside a spray container to be ready for cleaning.
Cleaning the drains
Both in the case of clogged drains and for their normal maintenance, citric acid can be a valuable aid. Pour 100 g of sodium bicarbonate into the drain and get ready to pour in a solution obtained by dissolving 200 g of citric acid in 30 ml of water.
Read also: 10 RECIPES FOR DRAINING WASTE AND SINKS
Cleaning the pots
If the inside bottom of a pot has limescale halos that are difficult to remove, prepare a citric acid solution by pouring 25 g of it into 500 ml of water and leave it to act after pouring it into the pot overnight. The limestone will disappear as if by magic.
Cleaning the toilet
To facilitate the toilet cleaning, pour inside a solution prepared with 50 g of citric acid and a liter of water. Shake everything in a bottle or bottle, pour into the toilet and leave it to act overnight. This is a really simple remedy for effortlessly removing limescale traces.
Other uses of citric acid
On an industrial level, citric acid is used as a food additive (E330) and preservative in jams, marmalades, cheeses and other products. It can also be present within carbonated drinks, wine, ice cream and candy, as a flavoring or emulsifier. In the'cosmetic industry can be used for regulation of ph of cosmetics and detergents. It is also used for cleaning industrial machinery.
- Food additive
- preservative
- Seasoning
- Emulsifier
- Cosmetic industry
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Chemical industry
- Cleaning of industrial machinery
- Cleaning of coffee machines in bars and restaurants
- Production of wine and beer
- Cleaning of copper pots and objects
- Descale teapots and kettles
Citric acid or vinegar?
As you can see the uses of citric acid are very close to those of vinegar even if, in our opinion, citric acid would be much preferred as it is less polluting and odorless. It also helps reduce waste and the risk of allergies. Compared to vinegar we find it even more effective. We know that many people are used to using vinegar as a grandmother's remedy, for example as a softener in the washing machine, and of course if they want they can continue to do so, perhaps even giving citric acid a chance just once, which in our opinion is also more convenient to use and easy to dose. Read also: Citric acid: how to use it and why to prefer it to vinegar in cleaning
Citric acid, when not to use it
Citric acid must not be used pure on fabrics and must not be used for cleaning surfaces such as wood, marble and stone, terracotta floors, as well as on all those materials for which the use of acidic substances is not recommended. Often an indication is given not to use citric acid together with bicarbonate because the two substances cancel each other out. In reality bicarbonate and citric acid in some cases they can be used together to create a useful effervescent effect, for example when it comes to having to free up household drains.
Do not use citric acid on:
- Real marble
- Wood
- Pietra
- Tissues (directly, but in this case always dissolved in a 1/10 solution of water)
- Terracotta floors
- Where acidic substances are not recommended
Citric acid, where to buy it
You can easily find and buy citric acid in pharmacies, herbalists and health food stores, some supermarkets, some bulk stores, as well as online. You can also look for citric acid in agricultural consortia and wine producers, always specifying that you need citric acid for household cleaning and laundry.
It is advisable to prefer, for domestic use, citric acid sold in easily resealable jars. Or you can buy citric acid packaged in sachets to be transferred later in a glass or plastic jar that can remain tightly closed and to be kept out of the reach of children and pets.
- Pharmacy
- Herbalist's shop
- Natural product shops
- Bulk product stores
- Organic products shops
- Agricultural consortia
- Wine producers
- Brewers of beer
- Chemical suppliers
- Cleaning product suppliers
- Suppliers of products for cosmetics and self-production
- Solidarity buying groups
- Some supermarkets
- Online shop
- The Amazon
Citric acid, how to store it
Keep your jar of citric acid away from light and heat sources, choosing a cool, dry and safe place in your home. It should be kept away from humidity because it tends to absorb it and harden forming a single block. That's why we reiterate to keep it in a dry place and in a tightly closed jar.
Citric acid, contraindications and warnings
What are the contraindications of citric acid? As with all chemicals, care must be taken in handling citric acid. In itself it is harmless and does not create problems if we accidentally touch the citric acid powder with our bare hands but it is always better to be careful and wear gloves when handling citric acid.
Citric acid can create problems if it is ingested or if it comes into contact with the eyes, both when it is powdered and when it is dissolved in water. For this reason we recommend keeping citric acid and the products we prepare with citric acid away from the reach of children and pets and to use them in complete safety for us and for others.
On citric acid it could also affect:
- Citric acid: everything you need to know about the food additive found in food and drinks
- Does your washing machine smell? How to eliminate bad smells with these simple ingredients that we all have at home
- Why do glasses become opaque in the dishwasher? Tricks to make them shine again
