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Over time, the inner walls of electric kettles and shower heads accumulate a layer of white scale, which not only affects usage but also is unhygienic. Using white vinegar to remove the scale has a pungent smell, and steel wool balls are prone to scratching the appliances - actually, food-grade citric acid is a more reliable choice. It not only removes the scale efficiently but is also safe and mild. 

1. What is scale? How does citric acid remove it? 

Scale mainly consists of calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide formed when water is heated, sticking firmly to the appliances. 

The secret of citric acid lies in its "carboxyl group": it can capture calcium and magnesium ions in the scale, turning the insoluble scale into citric acid calcium and citric acid magnesium that can be washed away with water. Moreover, it is a food-grade component, with only a small amount of residue that can be washed away with clean water, and there is no concern about safety issues. 

2. These scenarios are super convenient to use citric acid: 

Electric kettle 

Mix 50 grams of citric acid with 1 liter of hot water and dissolve it. Pour it over the scale in the kettle, let it stand for 10-20 minutes (for thick scale, heat the solution), then pour out the dirty water and rinse, and the kettle will be shiny immediately. 

Shower head 

Put 5% citric acid solution in a plastic bag, wrap the shower head in it and soak for 1 hour. Take it out and the scale will be washed away with the water flow. The water flow will return to its strong performance. 

 Coffee machine 

Pour the citric acid solution into the water tank, run it normally once, then rinse with clean water 2-3 times to remove the scale and ensure the coffee taste. 

3. Citric acid is not just an anti-scale agent 

It has many practical applications: 

In food: adjust the sweet and sour taste of beverages and juices, extend the shelf life of canned foods and pickled vegetables; 

In medicine: prevent blood from clotting during blood drawing, add it to calcium tablets to improve taste and aid absorption; 

In daily care: add a little to facial cleanser and laundry detergent to adjust the pH value and soften the water; 

In agriculture: activate soil nutrients, help crops absorb, and reduce heavy metal pollution. 

4. When using it, pay attention to these 3 points: 

Do not use it on aluminum or copper appliances, as it will corrode the surface; 

For household use, use a 5%-10% concentration solution, as too high a concentration is wasteful and too low an effect is poor; 

For thick scale, do not scrape hard, heat the citric acid solution for 4-6 hours, and wipe it with a cloth. 

5. Why is citric acid better than other anti-scale methods? 

Citric acid: safe, odorless, does not damage appliances, has a wide range of uses, is just slightly more expensive than white vinegar; 

White vinegar: cheap and easy to buy, but has a pungent smell, corrodes metals, and removes scale slowly; 

Steel wool balls: can scrape thick scale, but are prone to leaving scratches and harboring bacteria; 

Industrial anti-scale agents: remove scale quickly, but are toxic and corrosive, and should never be used at home. 

In conclusion, citric acid is the "ideal choice" for household anti-scale, and it can also be used in food, daily care, and other scenarios, making it a problem-free all-purpose helper!