10 ways to clean with citric acid that you didn’t even know about

Citric acid is said to have been discovered by the Arab alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan, who lived in the 8th century. It is reliably known that the Swedish pharmacist Karl Scheele was the first to synthesize it from lemon juice – this is how the substance got its name.

“Sour salt” is also the name given to citric acid in everyday life. Housewives know that it is needed not only for preparing sauces, marinades and jams, but also for cleaning various surfaces – today we will tell you which ones it will make shine.

Plastic is cheap and practical, but it has a drawback: some stains are permanently encrusted on its surface – for example those from ketchup, tomato paste or turmeric. Do you want your container to look like new again? Cleaning with citric acid will help: mix a spoonful of powder with a glass of water, pour it into a container, leave it for two to three hours, then wash it off as usual.

You probably know many recipes for washing household appliances without using harsh chemicals. The safest of these is cleaning with citric acid: it will remove mineral deposits, odors and stains and will not damage any part of the device.

Here’s what you need to do: put three or four tablespoons of crystals in the detergent compartment and run the standard wash program. Once the program is finished, deposits and traces of hard water will disappear. (If you’re dealing with a severe case, stop the cycle halfway through and wait 30 minutes — that way the substance will definitely do its job.)

Here’s how to use citric acid to clean the oven: pour a liter of water into a heat-resistant dish or pan, add two or three tablespoons of powder, stir, and when the crystals dissolve, place in an oven preheated to 200 degrees. . After boiling, “cook” the lemon water for 20 minutes, then turn off the heat and let it cool (this will take another 20-30 minutes). Then dip a microfiber cloth in the compote and wipe the interior of the oven as well as the door with it.

Also Read: How to Clean an Oven Without Using Harsh Chemicals: 7 Easy Methods

Microwave ovens often emit an unpleasant smell – after all, usually, having taken out a plate, we simply slam the door, without thinking about the need for ventilation. A simple method of cleaning with citric acid will help remove the “fragrance”: put two spoons of powder and pour 500 milliliters of water into a microwave-safe container, stir, put it inside and make operate the device for a maximum of three minutes. power. Wait 10 minutes without opening the oven, take out the bowl, let the water and the appliance cool a little, then wipe it first with the remaining solution and then with a cloth dampened with clean water.

As for dental plaque, the effectiveness of cleaning with citric acid can hardly be overestimated – it brilliantly copes with the destruction of mineral deposits. But be prepared to wait: the powder needs at least an hour to work, it’s even better to leave it on overnight. Wet the walls of the toilet and sprinkle them with citric acid so that no “bare” areas remain, and in the morning pass them with a brush and you will see how the earthenware shines. Get the bonus: we associate the smell of lemon with freshness, and that’s what we need for the bathroom!

Here’s how to remove stains with citric acid if you need to get rid of soapy water stains on shower walls: mix a tablespoon of powder and 100 ml of water in a spray bottle, shake When the crystals dissolve, spray the solution on the walls, wait 10 minutes, then rinse with water and dry the surface with a clean cloth or remove remaining moisture with a rubber scraper.

Removing rust with citric acid is a very simple task: she is a champion at it! Pour hot water into a bowl, add powder (one tablespoon for every liter of liquid), put things there overnight and in the morning you can easily wipe off the stains. Just keep in mind that there are some things you need to be careful of – for example, if a can opener or screwdriver has a wooden handle, the acid can damage it.

Did you forget the porridge on the stove and the pan first boiled it and then fried it properly? Find a cleaning recipe based on citric acid for such cases: pour water into a bowl, add powder (one tablespoon per glass of liquid), put on the stove and simmer over low heat for at least 10 minutes. Make sure to set a timer so you don’t forget the pan: trust me, smoking with citric acid is the last thing your eyes and lungs want to deal with!

Cleaning glass with citric acid is very simple: add 100 grams of powder and half a liter of hot water to a spray bottle, shake it to dissolve the crystals, spray the mixture on the glass, wait a few minutes , then remove the remains of the homemade spray with a cloth dampened with clean water. By the way, citric acid is used in the same way to clean sanitary appliances (only soaking is better extended to 30 minutes), so you can wipe all the taps with the rest of the product.

Also read: 9 most common mistakes when washing windows: the opinion of professional cleaners

Do you want to freshen up your toilet, but are only willing to spend a few seconds? Prepare a cleaning product based on citric acid beforehand:

When you want your toilet to smell fresh and clean, flush two bombs down the toilet and wait 20 minutes. (Perfectionists can go over the walls with a brush or pipe cleaner.)

There are several ways to use citric acid to clean certain items. Here’s what you should avoid:

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