Learn how to clean surfaces around your house with citric acid.

“However, citric acid does have some safety and health concerns.

Since it is sold as a powder, breathing in citric acid dust can cause nose and throat irritation.

citric acid used in cleaning

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Shake well to mix.

Label the Solution

Always add a label to the bottle.

Store in a cool, dry location away from children.

Materials needed to clean with citric acid powder

The Spruce / Michelle Becker

Wipe down with a sponge or microfiber cloth to remove smudges and stains, and leave the surface sanitized.

It can etch or pit the surface.

Clean Windows and Mirrors

Use the citric acid and water solution as aglass and window cleaner.

Mixing a citric acid cleaning solution in a glass bottle

The Spruce / Michelle Becker

Lightly spray the solution on the window starting at the top.

Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away the dirt and smudges.

Rinse the surfaces with hot water and dry well.

Labeling a bottle of citric acid cleaner

The Spruce / Michelle Becker

Run a complete heating cycle, empty the reservoir, and then run another with plain water.

To remove the stains, fill a large container or the sink with boiling water.

Add the dishes and soak for three to four hours.

Cleaning a surface with citric acid cleaner

The Spruce / Michelle Becker

Remove Toilet Bowl Stains

Add one to two tablespoons of citric acid powder to the toilet bowl.

Let the solution work for at least 15 minutes, longer is better.Scrub as usualand flush.

Let it work for at least 10 minutes andclean as usual.

A bowl of citric acid solution used to clean a microwave

The Spruce / Michelle Becker

Citric Acid.National Library of Medicine.

Citric Acid.Environmental Protection Agency.

Tomotake, Hiroyuki et al.Antibacterial activity of citrus fruit juices against Vibrio species.

Cleaning a mirror with citric acid spray

The Spruce / Michelle Becker

Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology vol.

52,2 (2006): 157-60. doi:10.3177/jnsv.52.157

Sanitizing a wooden cutting board with citric acid spray

The Spruce / Michelle Becker

Descaling a kettle with citric acid powder

The Spruce / Michelle Becker

Using citric acid to clean dishes

The Spruce / Michelle Becker

Using citric acid to remove toilet bowl stains

The Spruce / Michelle Becker

Using citric acid spray to remove soap scum

The Spruce / Michelle Becker