Using Citric Acid for cleaning

Vinegar is a well known green cleaning product  - But did you know you can use citric acid as another awesome, eco-friendly option?

All you need is a teaspoon of citric acid mixed with 500ml of water, and boom – you’ve got yourself an acidic solution, much like vinegar.

Here’s what I’ve been using it for:

• Soap Scum Be Gone: If you’ve got soap scum building up in your bathroom (which, let’s be honest, is pretty much inevitable), citric acid will neutralise it be gone!
• Goodbye Water Spots: If you’ve got water deposits on your glass – be it shower doors or windows – mix a solution of citric acid or make a gel
• Descaling Power: Got a kettle or coffee maker that’s looking a bit grimy on the inside? Citric acid works wonders at removing all that calcium build-up.
• Rust Remover: Yep, citric acid tackles that too.

One of my favourite things to do with citric acid is make a toilet gel. I mix citric acid with xanthan gum to thicken it, and boom – DIY toilet gel.

I also use it straight up, undiluted, in my fabric softener compartment (just add a few drops of essential oil and you’re good to go). And if you’re into bath bombs or toilet fizzies, you’ll be pleased to know citric acid is a key ingredient.

What Exactly Is Citric Acid?

 It’s a clear, odourless crystal that looks a bit like sugar or salt. While it’s naturally found in citrus fruits (think lemons, limes, oranges), chemists stopped making it from fruit rinds ages ago. I’ve scoured the globe (virtually) trying to find citric acid produced from fruit, but it’s like looking for a unicorn.

These days, it’s produced more sustainably by feeding sugar (usually corn-based) to a mould called Aspergillus niger. Sounds a bit weird, right? But it’s a clever, eco-friendly process that makes citric acid available in bulk.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Citric Acid

Now, before you get all excited and start dumping citric acid everywhere, here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

Do: Store it in an airtight container to keep it dry and prevent clumping.
Don’t: Use it on porous surfaces like stone (you know, marble or granite) or delicate fabrics like wool and silk – it could mess with them.

So there you have it. Citric acid is a total game-changer for DIY green cleaning. It’s versatile, effective, and so easy to use. If you’ve been relying on vinegar, it’s time to add this little beauty to your cleaning routine. You won’t regret it.

Grab yourself some Citric Acid from our Ingredients collection and check out these blod with 20 Uses for Citric Acid