Citric acid is a natural antioxidant and preservative used in many industries, such as cosmetics, the food industry or the pharmaceutical industry. It is an organic acid found in a wide variety of fruits, especially citrus fruits, although most of the citric acid on the market is obtained by fermentation of sugars.
Widely used as a food preservative, citric acid is also a very powerful ally for home cleaning, and can be used in many different ways.
Below we suggest the main and most important uses of citric acid in the home.
1. Remove rust
Prepare a solution of half a liter of water and two tablespoons of citric acid, pour into a spray bottle and shake well.
Spray the solution on the rusty object to be recovered, then scrub well with a toothbrush and clean.
The item will have recovered its original appearance. Remember not to use it on aluminum objects.
2. Collect burnt pans
While some may seem unrecoverable, most burnt pans can be salvaged with citric acid.
Fill the pot with water, add two tablespoons of citric acid and bring to a boil. The bottle will be like new.
3. Unclog a clogged drain
It is not necessary to buy harsh products to unclog a clogged drain.
Simply pour half a glass of citric acid and half of baking soda down the drain. Next, pour half a glass of hot water and wait for the ingredients to have their almost miraculous effect.
4. Disinfect surfaces
One of the functions of citric acid is its ability to disinfect and deeply clean surfaces.
Mix 100 grams of citric acid with a liter of hot water and use the solution to clean and disinfect surfaces such as kitchens, except marble. Rinse thoroughly with water.
5. Descale the washing machine
To eliminate limescale and impurities that accumulate in the washing machine, wash at maximum temperature and empty by putting a liter of water mixed with 150 grams of citric acid in the detergent compartment.
6. Clean carpets
Although the best-known trick is to use baking soda, citric acid is also very effective for cleaning carpets, removing all types of dirt.
Mix 100 grams of citric acid with one liter of water in a spray bottle and apply directly to the carpet. Rub and rinse.
7. Remove limescale from the shower
The shower head is prone to limescale buildup, which compromises its effectiveness. Unscrew it and immerse it in a bag filled with a solution of 150 grams of citric acid per liter of water.
Also add a tablespoon of baking soda and let sit for an hour. Finally, rinse, plug the shower head back in, and let the water run for a few minutes.
8. Clean the toilet
Thanks to its cleaning and disinfecting properties, citric acid is one of the most effective products for cleaning toilets.
Sprinkle some baking soda over the entire surface of the toilet and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then put the same amount of citric acid and scrub well with a brush.
Finally rinse well with water and dry well.