Citric acid for scale – the best folk remedy

Gardening » Citrus » Lemon

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Kira Stoletova

Home appliances and appliances last for many years if their owners take care of their condition. An important step for kitchen and bathroom assistants is to clean them regularly. Home remedies are often used for this, among which the most popular and versatile is citric acid.

Cleaning household items with citric acid

Features of citric acid

Citric acid is characterized by a rich chemical composition. It has many components that begin to actively react to the environment under certain conditions. It is a crystalline powdery substance of bright white color with a specific citrus aroma and a pronounced sour taste. More often in the food industry, citric acid is used in baking, cooking, canning, and in other areas. For house cleaning, monohydrate is used to clean household appliances, plumbing fixtures, carpet cleaning, etc.

This substance reacts actively with hot water when mixed with soda. It is able to fight limescale, dissolving it and crushing particles embedded in materials. But if you use a solution with too hot water over a long period of time, it can damage plastic parts and soft metal parts, corroding their top layer. It is also used to remove greasy stains, taking advantage of its ability to break down fat molecules and remove them from surfaces. The product is often used in combination with soda and vinegar.

Cleaning devices and internal parts of equipment with monohydrate should be safe for the skin of your hands. Therefore, it is mandatory to use rubber gloves.

Why does it work

Scale is mainly composed of calcium and magnesium carbonate. When interacting with citric, acetic, orthophosphoric or other acid, sparingly soluble carbonates of alkaline earth metals are converted into readily soluble salts. For example, acetates. Therefore, acidic substances are effective in the fight against scale, and to enhance the reaction they need to be heated.

Soda, when interacting with water, produces carbonic acid molecules, which, in turn, react with insoluble calcium and magnesium carbonates, turning them into soluble bicarbonates. And they are easily washed off with water and removed with a sponge.

Cleaning the washing machine

Systematic cleaning of the washing machine with citric acid will save you from rapid aging of equipment and rapid breakdown. Hard water, which is used when washing clothes, after some time leaves a large amount of salts that settle on the heating element and other important parts of the mechanism. Multilayer scale begins to wear out the machine and the washing process becomes ineffective.

Cleaning steps

To descale your washing machine with citric acid, take the powder itself and a small piece of dry and clean cloth. The process occurs in stages:

• check the drum for the absence of things in it, since citric acid can discolor the fabric by dissolving the paint;
• a machine with a washing capacity of up to 7-8 kg requires 90-100 g of powder, for smaller equipment (up to 4 kg) 50-60 g is enough;
• It is better to pour the monohydrate into the drum and into the powder tray;
• choose the longest possible mode with all the main processes - soaking, spinning, rinsing at a temperature of no more than 60°C;
• at the end of the washing process, check the condition of the drum cuff, where dirt and sediment may be found in the flap, which is wiped with a clean cloth;
• You should then clean the drain filter from any remaining large pieces of scale and dry the powder container.

It is permissible to clean the washing machine with citric acid up to 3 times a year with high water hardness. Softer water does not have such a devastating effect on the machine, so cleaning the washing machine with citric acid in this case is allowed about 2 times a year. The preventive measure is carried out after every 30th wash.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Acid Cleaning

To clean your washing machine with citric acid, buy this common and inexpensive product in any store. Its availability for every budget is a big plus. The beneficial components of the monohydrate act quickly and effectively, which is why it is chosen to combat the most difficult contaminants, which are scale of water salts on the heating element of a washing machine.

Citric acid for the washing machine acts as a conditioner. Deposits on the rubber part of the drum often acquire an unpleasant odor due to the proliferation of bacteria and harmful microorganisms in this place. The substances contained in lemon disinfect the drum cuff and give the entire inside of the machine a pleasant citrus aroma. The used citric acid is harmless to the body. After cleaning, use the washing machine without harming the laundry.

Acid disinfects the machine drum

Citric acid does not cause harm if used in certain doses and at a clearly designated temperature. It is possible to descale the washing machine with citric acid using hot water that does not exceed 60°C. A temperature regime that almost reaches a boil (90°C) together with a large amount of substance often leads to deformation of plastic and rubber parts of the mechanism, since the solution turns out to be caustic and aggressive. Cleaning a washing machine with citric acid in such conditions means dooming it to rapid breakdown.

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Cleaning the dishwasher

The dishwasher also has an element that heats the water. Salt scales appear over time on these parts of the mechanism, and grease accumulates inside the dishwasher itself. The properties and effectiveness of citric acid as a home remedy for cleaning this household appliance is highly effective.

To tidy up your dishwasher, you need to do the same as for cleaning a washing machine with citric acid:

• The detergent compartment is filled with one sachet of powder – 25 g;
• the washing mode is activated at maximum water temperature;
• upon completion of cleansing, restart another mode without adding any products - to rinse the machine;
• at the end of the entire process, clean the filter, wipe the entire cabin cavity with a damp, clean cloth, including the seals and door.

Which washing mode to choose

The solvent properties of citric acid are enhanced by high temperature. Cleaning should be done in a washing mode up to +95℃. If there is little scale, then a temperature of +60℃ is sufficient. Such modes in automatic machines require a long cycle - up to three hours. If you need to set the time in your model yourself, set it to 2–3 hours.

To prevent the acid from damaging individual parts of the machine, you need to thoroughly clean all surfaces after treatment. Therefore, you need to set the double rinse mode and wipe the drum and rubber cuffs well so that no small grains of citric acid remain on them.

Microwave cleaning

The use of this table additive as a solvent for greasy stains inside the microwave oven is also popular. To do this, take powder or cut citrus fruits - this makes it easier to release chemically active elements. They use citric acid to wash the machine for heating and cooking food, with some differences from previous methods.

Internal cleaning rules

One sachet of powder (25 g) is diluted with a glass of cold water and placed in a heat-resistant container. It is important that the solution occupies no more than half the container, otherwise it will spill and fall on the elements of the device. The dishes are placed in the microwave and the appropriate mode is set, in which it will be possible to boil the product for 5 minutes without stopping. Steam, saturated with citrus enzymes, will dissolve fatty deposits on the walls of the device. If necessary, in case of heavy contamination, repeat the procedure.

After the program ends, the door is not opened, leaving the inside exposed to steam. While the oven is cooling down and the fat is steaming inside it, it is better to disconnect it from the electrical network. After complete cooling, wipe the chamber with a sponge and foamed detergent. It is better to have enough foam to remove greasy stains. The washed oven is wiped dry at the end with paper towels to get rid of stains and remaining dirt.

External cleaning of the microwave

The surface of the microwave oven is also often contaminated with drops of fat and food. Lemon juice from a fruit cut in half will come to the rescue. Another effective method is to wipe the outer casing with specially prepared water (a weak solution of citric acid, into which you can add 1 teaspoon of soda for greater effect). The solution is left for an hour so that it has time to dissolve the fat and act effectively against dirt.

Wash off any remaining solution and grease using a sponge soaked in detergent. Then the surfaces are wiped with clean water and wiped dry with paper napkins. After the process is complete, a subtle citrus aroma will remain.

How to properly clean the inside?

If the scale layer on the inside is not too severe, you will need 50-60 grams of citric acid. Pour it into the kettle, fill it to the top with very warm water, stir thoroughly. Leave for about an hour, or even better, two. After waiting the time, you just need to pour out the liquid and rinse the kettle with plenty of water. You will notice that the inside of the product has become much cleaner, the plaque has disappeared.

Such regular prevention, at least once or twice a month, will avoid the accumulation of stone deposits and preserve the dishes. The kettle will look like new for a long time.

If there is a thick layer of scale and the above method does not help, you will have to use a more serious method - hot cleaning. To do this, you will again need the kettle itself, citric acid and water. Pour water to the top, add two tablespoons of citric acid and boil the water. Turn off the heat and leave to cool completely. Remember: after each procedure the water is drained.

If small traces of plaque remain on the walls or bottom, remove them with a soft sponge. Did not help? You can safely repeat the procedure. After the second bath, the scale is guaranteed to disappear. Another recommendation regarding the hot method. Never add acid powder to boiling or very hot water.

A little advice on getting rid of old scale. We recommend making this “paste” in the evening. Take equal parts baking soda, which you usually use for baking, and citric acid. Dilute with a small amount of water to end up with a thick paste. Apply it to problem areas and leave overnight. The next morning, you can use any of the cleaning methods we told you about.

Another proven method that will definitely help you cope with even an annual layer of plaque is using a mixture of table vinegar and citric acid. The combination of these two ingredients is well known to many housewives who regularly clean various kitchen utensils.

We warn you that the vinegar should not be “strong”. That is, 70% acid is absolutely not suitable. Take the vinegar that can be used in food: its percentage is much lower, but the effect will be amazing. Please note that using vinegar is absolutely not suitable for cleaning electrical appliances, as it can seriously damage the integrity and performance of the heating element.

If you decide to clean an enamel or iron teapot using this method, remember the recipe. So, to clean the kettle you will need citric acid and table vinegar. To a glass of warm water you need to add 3-4 tablespoons of regular vinegar. The liquid should be poured into the kettle and left for about half an hour. Then add 2-3 tablespoons of citric acid and put the kettle to boil. If necessary, the procedure can be repeated.

Cleaning the kettle and coffee maker from scale

Citric acid is safe for humans

When boiling hard water, limescale deposits on the walls of the kettle. To get rid of this problem, pour 5 tablespoons into the cavity of the device. food monohydrate, pour warm water up to the sediment level and leave for several hours. Next, rinse the electric kettle with running water. If you start to boil the reagent, the consequences can be disastrous - the coating of the kettle will deteriorate. The acid itself is safe for humans, so after cleaning, simply boiling clean water will be sufficient.

The coffee maker is also susceptible to salt precipitation from hard water during boiling. Therefore, to clean it, pour a solution of 1 tsp into the water compartment. acids with liquid. Next, start the normal coffee brewing process, allowing water to flow through the coffee holes. Then boil clean water for rinsing. Caring for your coffee maker includes regular cleaning every 2-3 months.

Prevention

The use of citric acid is indicated not only for cleaning dishes, but also for preventive purposes. Regular washing of the kettle “saves” from radical methods with vinegar and soda, helps maintain the integrity of the coatings on the walls and bottom, and ensures a long service life of the device.

It is enough to fill the kettle with water with dissolved citric acid powder 1-2 times a month, keeping the mixture for about 30-40 minutes.

The following preventive measures will help prevent scale formation:

• use only filtered or bottled water;
• regularly rinsing the kettle after boiling;
• removing light plaque from the walls.

It is advisable not to leave water in the kettle, drain the liquid completely, and before use it is recommended to pour a new one each time.

Plumbing cleaning

Unpleasant white deposits on shiny plumbing fixtures and surfaces and lime deposits in taps and mixers are a significant problem for housewives. You can get rid of it using various solvents, but the safest and most effective among home remedies is food monohydrate. It is used in a similar way as for kitchen appliances:

1. To clean the taps, prepare a solution, the ratio of the components is 2 tbsp. for 1 glass of water. Soak paper towels or cotton cloth with it, wrap the material over the entire length of the faucet and leave for 2-3 hours. Afterwards, wipe with a sponge and detergent; for particularly dirty areas, use a small brush and rinse with cool water. To get rid of lime deposits inside the taps, tie a bag filled with lemon water to it, immersing the spouts in the solution. After a few hours, the inside is cleaned with a brush.
2. A shower nozzle clogged with sediment can also be cleaned with a solution of citric acid in water at a concentration of 1:1. Dip the shower head into a container with this liquid for 2-3 hours, then rinse with running water. Often a large number of bacteria accumulate in the sprinkler, so it is better to carry out this procedure every 6 months.
3. The toilet bowl is cleaned with a concentrated solution of citric acid. Leave the liquid over the entire surface; place paper towels with the solution in the most contaminated areas. After a few hours, the toilet is cleaned with a brush, adding soda for greater effectiveness.
4. We clean tiles, shower stalls, and bathtubs. Their processing includes the use of monohydrate, diluted with water in proportions of 3 tbsp. for 1 l. water. For convenience, the solution is poured into a container with a spray bottle, sometimes adding 1 tsp. baking soda. Wipe surfaces with a sponge.

How to clean the outside?

Very often teapots, now we are not talking about electrical appliances, lose their appearance. An enameled or metal product becomes stained with grease, carbon deposits and even rust appear. What to do in this case? I would like all kitchen utensils to shine with their pristine shine and cleanliness, and not scare away with their terrible appearance.

Don't worry, there are tips for this case too. As before, you will need citric acid. Small oil stains and burnt fat can be removed with a lemon peel. Simply take a lemon peel or a citrus slice and rub onto the affected areas. Stains will come off easily, and you can easily wash the dishes with a soft sponge.

If the dirt on the surface is too serious, then prepare a special cleaning solution in a large container. You will need a large container that can completely immerse the kettle. Add 100-150 grams of citric acid to warm water, then immerse the kettle there. Leave for about an hour. It is important to remember here: the hotter the water, the more acid, the faster the cleaning process will take place.

Old stains that periodically appear after cooking can be easily removed using a “paste” of acid and baking soda. We talked about the preparation of the mixture and the consistency of the cleaning solution above.

Cleaning the car cooling system

It is recommended to clean the car engine cooling system before each antifreeze change. This action gets rid of unwanted dirt, dust, and deposits from the cooling channels and surfaces of other parts; this is an excellent prevention of corrosion (this includes rust).

Citric acid is an ideal safe cleaner because it does not harm the skin or respiratory tract, and when used correctly, does not harm parts made of materials such as plastic, rubber, or soft metal. It is safe to clean a radiator made of any material to control its heating.

For cleansing, using 70-80 g of powder per 5 liters is sufficient. water. But in case of severe contamination, you will have to repeat the action several times.

Tips for cleaning your car's cooling system:

• use only distilled or cooled boiling water;
• First, the monohydrate is poured into a saucepan with ½ liter of liquid, boiled until completely dissolved, then the rest of the water is added;
• after removing the antifreeze, pour flushing into the heat exchanger, start the engine and warm it up to operating condition for 10-15 minutes;
• after turning off the engine, drain the cleaning solution and evaluate its color and consistency;
• The cleaning ends if the solution comes out clean, all that remains is to rinse with distilled water another 2-4 times.