There are a thousand things to worry about as a mom. Your use of cleaning products shouldn’t be one of them. You’re not the only one thinking this, either.

We’re seeing a shift from traditional cleaners to “better-for-you” products.

One of these increasingly popular ingredients in better-for-you products is citric acid. Yes, the stuff found in citrus fruits and many products for flavoring or as a preservative. Citric acid uses go beyond that though and include a range of non-toxic cleaning applications from the dishes to the laundry.

Why are moms going wild for this non-toxic acid around the house? Let’s find out.

What is Citric Acid

Citric Acid, C6H807, is an acid formed in citrus fruits. The acid is what gives oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and others that sour “bite”. The climate, soil, and fruit type determine the acidity levels.

Other fruits containing citric acid include:

• Pineapple
• Cherries
• Tangerines
• Tomatoes
• Strawberries

We’ve had a long history of citric acid dating back to the early 1900s. Scientists extracted citric acid from lemons. This process changed to feeding sugars to mold which produced citric acid as a byproduct.

Citric acid has many industrial uses — including:

• Artificial flavoring
• pH balancer
• Preservative
• Liquid emulsifier
• Fragrances

We look at product labels and see the acid as an essential ingredient. Moms and the rest of us can’t help but wonder, ‘what if we had citric acid on hand to use for our own use?!’

The Many Citric Acid Uses

We hope you enjoyed the quick history and science lesson. You’ll enjoy this section more so because you’ll get to put citric acid to good use in your home!

Cleaning Solution

Citric acid is an excellent, non-toxic disinfectant. The acidity is fantastic for killing bacteria, mold, and other nasties. Citric acid also proves very effective in stripping down tough stains and buildups.

The bottom line is citric acid is super versatile for use in cleaning products, including:

• Degreaser
• Surface cleaner
• Disinfecting wipes
• Toilet cleaner
• Laundry detergent

There’s certainly a nearly neverending list of ways household cleaners derived from citric acid can be used around the home. It’s quickly become a go-to non-toxic cleaner because it’s a safer choice for the surfaces in your home as well as for your family. Citric acid is non-toxic so moms won’t worry about little ones being exposed to harsher chemicals.

Citric acid is perfect for cleaning these areas and items:

• Tile and grout
• Sinks, tubs, and showers
• Glass surfaces
• Faucets and drains
• Carpets

You’ll, of course, want to test citric acid cleaners in a small spot first. Some surfaces aren’t great for citric acid cleaning like stainless steel or stone flooring.

Detergent

Your grandma probably told you to throw a bit of vinegar in the wash. Citric acid follows that same idea. The acidity goes to work degreasing, neutralizing foul odors, and cleaning.

You could use a detergent for:

• Laundry
• Dishes
• Dishwasher

The use of safer ingredients mean there’s no residue, either. You could skip the glass shine in the dishwasher or the oxy-boost in the washer. The non-toxic ingredients mean fewer chemicals down the drains and into the environment.

Dish and Hand Soap

A lighter concoction of citric acid is great for dish and hand soaps. The anti-bacterial properties will have your hands squeaky clean. The same goes for dishes, leaving a pleasant citric scent.

You can find dish/hand soap in regular bottles. Or, as a concentrate which you could dilute or apply for extra cleaning power.

Glass Cleaner

Grab a spray bottle of that blue stuff and you’ll find:

• Isopropanol
• 2-Butoxyethanol
• Ethylene glycol n-hexyl either

…and a whole lot of other chemicals non one can pronounce.

Citric acid-based glass cleaners are as effective and powerful as the blue stuff. Once dry, they also act as a barrier to dust and smudging. Moms won’t have an issue letting their little ones help clean the windows with this glass cleaner.

Stain Remover

Citric acid is an effective stain remover for several surfaces:

• Fabric
• Certain Metals
• Vinyl
• Fiberglass

Ever get a tough stain on your favorite shirt? You could turn to a bleaching pen but this introduces harsh chemicals. You could, instead, use a citric acid cleaner on these tough spots!

The citric acid acts a lot like a bleaching agent. Set it under the sun and you’ll expedite the stain removal process.

Kettle Cleaner and Coffee Makers

An electric kettle is a nifty kitchen appliance but it’s easy to forget it needs cleaning. Same goes for the coffee maker you use every day. Minerals can build up easily, which creates a nasty taste to whatever you’re using the water with.

Luckily, a bit of a citric acid based cleaner after a fresh boil can cut through that buildup in a jiffy. It will break down any nasty residue, and make quick work of any stains.

Toilet Scrub

We feel bad pouring bleach and other harsh chemicals in the toilet. Sure, water is probably going to a treatment plant but what if you’re out in the countryside?

Citric bowl cleaners are a great, non-toxic alternative to bleaches.

The citric acid goes after the stains and buildup, and provides a nice fragrance along with the other pleasant ingredients. Now you won’t worry about Fido drinking from the toilet bowl, either!

Pipe Cleaning

Sink clogged? A splash of a citric acid-based cleaner down the drain will clear up problems. Allow the cleaner to coat the inner pipe. Then, run hot water.

Not only will you clear the sink but it’s one less chemical down the drain. You can do this for other areas of the home, too. The kitchen sink can receive the same treatment.

Touch Up Brass and Copper

Restore brass or copper fixtures with citric acid. A diluted solution works best as it reacts strongly to the oxidized layer.

You’ll have the item polished and looking its best with a few swirls of a towel.

Where to Get Quality Citric Acid Products

May we suggest checking out our Lemi Shine product line?

We have dozens of safe, non-toxic products derived from citric acid. You’ll find better-for-you solutions for everything from household cleaning to laundry.

We stand by our high-quality products with no questionable chemicals.

Start cleaning better, and doing better, with Lemi Shine. Join our mailing list for exclusive coupons and discounts — and buy online or find a store nearest to you!