All about citric acid

How aboutcitric acid today? We all know how important vinegar is in a 100% green, versatile and perfectly safe environment, so how can we use this other weak acid, citric acid? 100% natural and biodegradable, citric acid is used in natural home care primarily for its powerful anti-scale properties. It’s as powerful as vinegar for descaling, and works faster to dissolve calcareous concretions. It is used as a descaler (kettle, coffee machine, washing machine, dishwasher…), or to remove traces of limescale from taps, glass and shower enclosures… It can also be used in laundry care, to remove rust stains from fabrics, and to make your own “home-made” fabric softener. And of course it will be preferred by those sensitive to the strong smell of vinegar, as it is easily diluted in water and smells absolutely nothing! Do you want to know more?

What is citric acid?

Yes, it’s in lemons, of course! In fact, it’s the fruit’s central active ingredient, effectively combating tartar and rust. Lemon juice contains 5% to 7%. Citric acid also plays an important role in the metabolism of all living organisms; the human body produces around 2 g per day and breaks it down on its own. It is found in almost all fruits, wood and mushrooms…

But to obtain your own granulated citric acid, the kind you’ll use to clean your home, you don’t squeeze kilos of lemons! Even if sometimes you use it directly from the source of the fruit.

Used in the form of a white crystalline powder with a neutral odor, citric acid can also be synthesized chemically. On a large scale, citric acid is produced using a biological fermentation process, i.e. mold culture on a sweet vegetable substrate (molasses, corn, tapioca, sweet potato). It can be used in solid, granulated form, or dissolved in water for use as a solution.

What’s it for?

It’s its powerful anti-scale, fungicidal and anti-rust properties that will interest us here, of course for domestic use. But citric acid can even be found in food. Haven’t you ever drizzled lemon juice over your cut apples to prevent them from turning brown? Same concept for the industrial version. Citric acid is used as a food additive, under the name E330, to regulate acidity and slow down oxidation. It improves product stability, preservation and quality. An acidifier and flavor enhancer, it is found in sodas, candies, fruit juices and ready-made meals. It’s the food additive par excellence.

Recipes and tips!

• Multi-purpose cleaning and surface care (washbasin, shower, sink, vitroceram, taps):

Dilute it in water at a rate of 3-4 cs per 1 liter of hot water and wash with a sponge. Remember to wear gloves to protect your hands!

• Descaling faucets:

Dissolve 4-5 tablespoons of citric acid in 1 liter of hot water and scrub the affected areas, or leave them to soak for 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the scale layer. Then rinse well. Likewise, wear gloves!

• Descaling household appliances:

For the kettle or coffee maker, use it again diluted in hot water, at a rate of 1-2 cs per liter of water. Coffee maker: Fill machine with this solution. Pass through approximately one cup, leave to stand for 15-30 minutes. Strain off remaining solution and rinse at least twice with clean water. Kettle: Dissolve 1-2 tablespoons of citric acid in 1 liter of water, fill the kettle and bring to the boil, then leave for 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.

• Washing machine maintenance:

Pour 6 to 8 tablespoons directly into the drum and start the program at 95°, empty! This disinfects the washing machine and removes detergent residues.

• Dishwasher maintenance:

Fill a glass with 3dl of citric acid, place it directly in the bottom rack and let it run empty on a hot program. By the way, a glass of vinegar has the same effect – the dishwasher comes out as good as new!

• Rinse aid for dishwashers:

As a replacement for the supermarket rinse agent, it’s super effective for rinsing and shining dishes. You can use vinegar, but you can of course replace it with citric acid! Just add 2 tablespoons to 1 liter of water, and pour directly into the adhoc compartment.

• Window spray:

Make your window spray by mixing 1/3 water, 1/3 alcohol and 1/3 diluted citric acid (use the dilution proportions from point 1). Alcohol is not compulsory, but it helps the liquid evaporate more quickly and helps degrease surfaces. 70% alcohol or vodka (45%) in the spirit of a natural home.

• Toilet cleaning powder:

Mix equal parts technical baking soda and citric acid in a large, clean, dry jar. Pour 2 tablespoons into the toilet and scrub vigorously throughout the effervescence phase! This is when the disinfecting and cleaning power is at its peak! This mixture should be kept in a well-sealed jar, but beware of humidity, which will turn your mixture into a large, hard lump. They can also be used to make effervescent bombs. Why not learn how to make them with the help of our do-it-yourself kits or at an upcoming workshop?

• Home-made liquid fabric softener:

Citric acid is a powerful anti-scale agent, softening water even at low temperatures. It is therefore ideal for softening the fibers of all textiles, including wool and silk. In a 1-liter bottle, dilute 150g citric acid in 8dl hot water, shaking well. Allow the mixture to cool before adding 15-20 drops of essential oils if you wish to lightly perfume your linen. Shake before each use and pour 0.5dl of this mixture into the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine.

• Dishwasher powder:

Here we give you our dishwasher powder recipe, based on bicarbonate, citric acid, soda crystals and sodium percarbonate: https://www.lespaillettesvertes.ch/post/recette-de-la-poudre-lave-vaisselle

• Effervescent bath bombs:

For a soothing, softening and nourishing warm bath, you can also make your own bath balls, even better than Lush 😉 It’s the combination of baking soda and citric acid that forms the effervescent reaction on contact with water. Mix 90g pharma-grade baking soda with 30g citric acid and 20g cornstarch. Add 20g water-bath melted coconut oil. Using your fingers, pack the mixture into small molds (such as cake pans or silicone ice cubes) and leave to set for a few hours in the fridge. Then remove from the molds and store in an airtight jar. You can “spice up” your bath balls with dried flowers, clay or oatmeal, which are so gentle on the skin…

• Anti-rust action:

Soak or cover stains with a paste of citric acid and a little water. Leave to set, then rub lightly and rinse. Always test a small corner of the surface to be treated first!

• Anti-fungal and anti-moss action:

To remove moss or algae from walls, tiles, terracotta and even wood (on a terrace, for example), citric acid is an effective fungicide, and in just a few days it will dry out the moss without creating any toxic fumes. Dilute in a large bucket: 8 liters warm water, 600g citric acid, 150g bicarbonate of soda and 20ml vegetable oils (e.g. rapeseed, sunflower…). Spray or pour the solution onto a dry surface and leave for 2 to 3 days without rain. Once dry, any remaining moss will disappear with the next rainfall, or by cleaning with a hose or brush.

A few precautions though…

Citric acid is a safe raw material, but there are a few precautions to take when using it.

• Avoid contact with skin and eyes, and wear household gloves when using this product to avoid irritation, especially when dipping your hands into a bucket containing citric acid solution.
• Do not use on limestone surfaces such as marble, or acid-sensitive surfaces such as enamel or aluminum.
• Don’t get involved in haphazard mixing, as this can lead to unexpected chemical reactions! Always follow recipes exactly.
• Remember to label your preparations, so as not to confuse them with something else. A pen Posca is always useful and easy to erase!
• And of course, never leave your products within the reach of children!

A shelf life?

Almost unlimited! Just remember to keep your citric acid (in its solid form, of course) away from moisture, otherwise you’ll end up with a big, hard block.

References:

https://www.consoglobe.com/acide-citrique-additif-alimentaire-ubiquitaire-cg https://www.femmeactuelle.fr/deco/maison-pratique/lacide-citrique-10-utilisations-partout-dans-la-maison-2077502 https://lilycraftblog.com/acide-citrique/ https://www.toutpratique.com/edito-303-enlever-la-mousse-4-astuces-un-produit-ecologique.php