Because I DON'T want to create nerve gas at home...

OrangeProse

...I'm just after a little clarification before I embark on a cleaning frenzy of my new rented flat tonight. My GCSE chemistry is a little rusty and I need to make sure I don't kill myself cleaning!

I have bought some citric acid in order to fight the good fight against limescale. Am I correct in thinking that although this is strong stuff, I can use it inside appliances like the kettle, iron, steamer and coffee machine?

Also, is citric acid any good for cleaning the oven? The oven in the flat is a built-in one, and I think the last tenants cooked a lot of pizzas without a baking tray as there's all sorts of burned-on crispy bits on the oven floor.

How do I use citric acid? Do I mix it with water, and if so, in what quantities? Can I mix it with water and put it inside a spray bottle to use on the shower tiles, for example?

Now I read somewhere on here that you mustn't ever mix limescale remover and bleach, as it creates something nasty a bit like nerve gas or similar. Does citric acid constitute limescale remover? Not that I'm planning on mixing the two you understand, but you never know what's got bits of residual bleach left on it!

I'm also guessing that citric acid and vinegar don't mix well.

One final one... is caustic soda the same as citric acid?

Thanks in advance.

misskool

I know someone who uses citric acid in her kettle. Just a tablespoon or 2 (or 3) then the minimum amount of water and boil it up. The limescale should come off (unless you have it in chunks). don't know about using it for other stuff.

caustic soda is sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and is alkaline. It's not citric acid. Be very careful when using it because it doesn't burn like acid. Wash it off thoroughly if it falls on your skin, it won't sting but it will burn your skin.

THIRZAH

No caustic soda is not the same as citric acid-you can use citric acid in things like wine making or making home made cordials. Please DON'T put caustic soda in food-you probably won't survive the experience!

Penelope_Penguin

OrangeProse wrote: »

I have bought some citric acid in order to fight the good fight against limescale. Am I correct in thinking that although this is strong stuff, I can use it inside appliances like the kettle, iron, steamer and coffee machine? You can

Also, is citric acid any good for cleaning the oven? The oven in the flat is a built-in one, and I think the last tenants cooked a lot of pizzas without a baking tray as there's all sorts of burned-on crispy bits on the oven floor. Caustic soda is what I use to clean my oven (but I hate doing it, so wipe off spills as soon as they happen )

Now I read somewhere on here that you mustn't ever mix limescale remover and bleach, as it creates something nasty a bit like nerve gas or similar. Does citric acid constitute limescale remover? Not that I'm planning on mixing the two you understand, but you never know what's got bits of residual bleach left on it! You mustn't mix bleach and acids as this releases chlorine gas, which can kill you in a confined space :eek:

I'm also guessing that citric acid and vinegar don't mix well. They're fine to mix, as they're both acids, but don't know why you'd want to

One final one... is caustic soda the same as citric acid? No

Thanks in advance.

HTH, Penny. x

muckypup

If you are going to use Caustic Soda please please please make sure you are well protected with proper gloves. My brother used it to clean his oven once, without gloves and seriously burnt both his hands to the point he had to have skin grafts and was permantly sevearly scarred....so pleaseeee be careful!

Butterfly_Brain

citric acid is fine for food related cleaning ie kettles etc or you could use bicarbonate of soda.
Caustic soda is usually only used for drains

Penelope_Penguin

Butterfly_Brain wrote: »

citric acid is fine for food related cleaning ie kettles etc or you could use bicarbonate of soda.

Bicarbonate of soda won't shift limescale, though

Penny. x

allydowd

Bleach and the ammonia in toilet cleaner produce chlorine gas. They also create HEAT when mixed in the wrong quantities; it's the sodium hydroxide and nitrogen trichloride which is released and can actually explode in your face.