9 things that cannot be cleaned with citric acid: the opinion of professional cleaners

Marble, granite and any other natural stone can decorate any kitchen. But they will make your life more difficult: by their nature, these materials are porous and therefore require special care. “Acids can seriously damage them. One of our customers once left a skin on a granite countertop, and the skin left an imprint that cannot be removed: the entire countertop needs to be replaced,” explains Delah Gomasi, director of the cleaning department.

Citric acid and lemon can damage hardwood floors – if you drop a fruit, pick it up immediately and wipe the floor, otherwise the faded mark may remain forever. “We often see people damaging hardwood floors using viral tips from social media that involve citrus fruits. Be careful when using tips you find online: be sure to test all products on small areas of the surfaces you plan to clean,” advises Gomasi.

The opinion of professionals on cleaning wooden cutting boards with citric acid is also clear: as John Floros, an employee of the Institute of Food Technologies, explains, neither juice nor citric acid ensure the appropriate level of disinfection – they only prevent the multiplication of microorganisms, but do not completely destroy them.

Uncoated cast iron pans are passed down from generation to generation: over years of cooking, their surfaces absorb oil and acquire the superpower of adding a special flavor to food. “Citric acid will remove this layer and the cast iron will not only lose its character, but it may also rust. This is not enamel cookware, of which lemon is ideal for cleaning,” says Ronnie Kendrick, employee of a cleaning company.

The head of the cleaning service, Katie Barton, believes that citric acid should in principle not be considered a dishwashing detergent. “It’s great for breaking down grease, but it’s not very hygienic, so use it as a supplement to hot water and soap or as a way to remove burnt-on food.” Don’t use citric acid on non-stick surfaces, you could damage them,” says Katie.

Also read: 10 most common mistakes when washing dishes: the opinion of professional cleaners

“Not all copper and aluminum products can be treated with citric acid. First, metals can change color. Secondly, the corrosive substance will corrode them and particles can end up in your food when it comes to utensils,” says Gomasi.

“If you want your household appliances to last a long time, properly maintain the rubber seals on refrigerators, washing machines and steam cookers. Using citric acid to clean them is dangerous: it will deprive the material of its elasticity, which can lead to various problems, ”says Elizabeth Shields, employee of the cleaning service. She recommends cleaning rubber parts with soap and water. According to Elizabeth, this is the safest option for maintaining household appliances.

Chrome faucets and handles are popular: they look great in the kitchen and give it a chic look. However, you shouldn’t clean them with citric acid: as Shields explains, this can lead to corrosion and staining. “Use an individual solution of vinegar and water, a baking soda paste, or a chrome product,” says Elizabeth.

It is unlikely that anyone will think about rubbing the screen of a tablet or smartphone with a solution of citric acid. However, according to cleaning company owner Chris Willatt, people often forget that the screens of increasingly popular smart electronic devices are no less sensitive. “If you have a smart fridge, remember that citric acid can damage its display glass – it requires special gentle products,” says Chris.

White fabric products are perfectly compatible with citric acid: for them it will be an excellent natural bleaching agent and an excellent flavoring agent. However, light and dark materials can be irreversibly discolored, so use other products to remove them.

Bleach, of course, does not need to be cleaned, but there is one important rule that should never be forgotten: chlorine should not be mixed with lemon juice or citric acid. When the two meet, a toxic gas is produced that irritates the mucous membranes and respiratory tract.

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