Citric acid is an acid from lemons. Citric acid is often used as a preservative in foods, for example to make elderflower juice with or in baked goods.
However, citric acid is also produced for cleaning and descaling various household products in the home as a substitute for white vinegar.
Citric acid – what is the difference?
There is a big difference in citric acid and choosing the wrong one can have fatal consequences. The acid in citric acid is the same, but in the products for cleaning, some chemicals are typically added, to make it more effective. Therefore, this kind of citric acid is not to be used in any kind of food or drink.
The citric acid found in small packages in many supermarkets are approved for ingestion. That type of citric acid is often used as a natural preservative in foods. It is also used for baking and for cake decoration.
The second type of citric acid, with chemicals, is primarily used as for descaling and for stain removal.
Descaling with citric acid
Calcium and acid react to each other, and acid thus dissolves limescale. In all countries with hard water, limescale and descaling will be a part of our everyday cleaning. It is necessary to descale your kettle, coffee machine, dishwasher etc. from time to time to remove the white deposits that builds up in the different kitchen appliances.
Sterling Citric acid – descaling
Sterling citric acid is effective for descaling various kitchen appliances in the home.
Descaling showerheads and faucets
Descale filters on showerheads and faucets by soaking the filters for 24 hours in a mixture of 1.5 tbsp. citric acid and 2 dl water. Rinse with water and the filters and faucets are as good as new.
How to descale coffee makers and kettles
Descaling a kettle is done by dissolving about 1.5 tbsp. citric acid in 1 liter of cold water. Turn on the kettle and let the solution boil. Then boil the kettle with ordinary cold water at least three times to make sure that it is completely free from citric acid.
If the kettle has a lot of limescale it may be necessary to repeat the procedure.
To descale a coffee maker, follow the same procedure.
Descaling the dishwasher
It is recommended to descale the dishwasher from time to time, as your service will look more bright and your dishwasher last longer.
When descaling the dishwasher, simply add approx. 2 tbsp. citric acid to the soap dispenser. Then run the dishwasher empty. Cloudy glasses can be included though, to bring back the shine.
Can you use citric acid for the washing machine?
Yes, you can, and you should. It is the same that goes for the washing machine as for the dishwasher.
It is a good idea to descale the entire system in the washing machine. Maintenance of the machine will make it last longer.
When descaling a mashing machine, simply pour 250 grams of citric acid in the soap dispenser and put on an empty machine.
Citric acid for stain removal
Citric acid can also be very effective for stain removal of some types of fruit juice on different kinds of fabrics. Mix 1 part citric acid together with 9 parts water, and rub it on the stain before washing the item. If the stain is old, use Sterling Glycerin to soften the stain before adding citric acid to it.
Can you use citric acid for elderflower juice?
Yes, you can. The citric acid that is made specifically for the purpose, not the one for descaling.. The citric acid Sterling produces is for cleaning purposes only.
However, Sterling Citric Acid is highly recommendable for descaling.
Where to buy citric acid?
Sterling Citric acid is effective and you can always count on the result you hoped for.
You can find an overview of our online retailers of Sterling Citric Acid here:
Or find a retailer of Sterling soda near you: