How to Buy Citric Acid

Co-authored by Meredith Juncker, PhD

Last Updated: July 9, 2024 Fact Checked

Citric acid is available for purchase through many different types of stores. Where you choose to buy citric acid depends on what you plan to use it for and how much you wish to purchase. Citric acid is a weak acid naturally found in citrus fruits that individuals and manufacturers often use because of its preservative and chelating properties and sour taste.^{[1]
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Research source} Citric acid is important for canning, cheese-making, homebrewing, and candy making, and is an ingredient in some recipes and beverages to regulate acidity. People also use citric acid for craft projects such as fizzing bath salts, or may be interested in purchasing citric acid for laboratory experiments.^{[2]
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Research source} You can buy citric acid in either anhydrous (water-free) or in monohydrate form.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Buying Food Grade Citric Acid

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1
Determine how much citric acid you need to buy. The amount you need will determine where you should shop for citric acid. Smaller quantities can generally be purchased at the grocery store, while larger quantities may need be purchased at a bulk store or online.
- Consult the instructions for your activity or recipe to see how much citric acid they indicate you need to use for your project.
- Increase the amount of citric acid if you plan to make multiple batches of a recipe or want to have an ample amount for repeating the activity. For example, if you plan to use citric acid for cheese-making, and you want to make your own cheese on a regular basis, you will want to buy enough citric acid for multiple uses.
2
Look for citric acid at your local supermarket. Food grade citric acid is normally available in a powder form. Typically, it is best to buy citric acid at a grocery store when you need a small amount, for example, a bottle with 3 to 5 ounces (85 g to 142 g).
- Check for citric acid in the canning section. It is often located near the pectin and other canning ingredients and materials.^{[3]
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- Look for citric acid under the name sour salt in the kosher section or in the spice aisle.^{[4]
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Health food stores often carry citric acid and may have a greater range of sizes available than standard grocery stores. Call the store before stopping by to make sure they have the amount you need in stock.
4
Shop at a restaurant supply store. Restaurant supply stores, especially baking or candy-making supply stores, are likely to carry citric acid. These types of stores will likely have quantities available in bulk as well. If you need a large amount, check here first.
- Plan to purchase at least 1 pound (.45 kg) of citric acid. Smaller quantities may not be available.
Homebrewers often use citric acid, for example to adjust to acid level in fruit wines. A store that caters to home brewers may also have knowledgeable staff that can provide detailed information on how to use citric acid for your particular project.
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Shop online. Online retailers sell small to large containers of citric acid and many online stores sell it by the pound. You can skip the shopping and have the citric acid delivered right to your door. If you are using the citric acid in something that will be consumed, remember to order food grade citric acid.
- Take into account that shipping costs may make it more expensive to buy citric acid online than at a local restaurant supply or warehouse store. However, online prices are generally more competitive than supermarket prices per ounce.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Buying Citric Acid for General Use

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1
Choose which form of citric acid you want to purchase. Citric acid is available as a monohydrate and in anhydrous form. Anhydrous means there is no water, so the citric acid is more powdery than the monohydrate form that has water.^{[5]
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- Anhydrous citric acid is usually used in bath bombs, but the monohydrate form will also work.
- Unless the project specifies the use of one form over the other, either one should work.
Anhydrous citric acid may be available in the soap-making section of craft stores as it is a common ingredient in fizzing bath bombs. Call the store before going there to make sure they have the quantity in stock you need.
3
Buy citric acid through a chemical supply company. A chemical supply source will provide the greatest number of options in terms of grade, texture, quantity, and form. Read through your supplier's definitions of the grades they sell. Many suppliers also create their own grade labels to indicate the quality of the chemical. Citric acid is available in different grades including:
- Food Chemical Codex (FCC)- food grade
- American Chemical Society (ACS) grade- the substance meets the standards set forth by the ACS for reagent chemicals in their publication.^{[6]
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- United States Pharmacopeia (USP) grade- a substance that meets the specifications in the "Reagents, Indicators and Solutions" section of the USP.

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Question

Can I use cleaning citric acid for bath bombs?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. There are different types of citric acids used for different experiments, but cleaning citric acid works just as well.

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Can I clean a diffuser that I have used essential oils in?

Community Answer

Yes. My operator's manual says to use citric acid mixed with water and let it sit for 5 minutes or longer.

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Will citric acid remove rust?

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Yes, add enough citric acid powder directly to warm water to make a 10% solution. Soak the item you want to clean in the solution for a few minutes to hours until the rust is removed. Citric acid will not strip paint and cut through grease, so these contaminants need to be removed before soaking.

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Warnings

Wear protective gloves to avoid skin irritation when handling citric acid, especially if you have sensitive skin.

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Don't use any citric acid that isn't food grade for baking, candy-making, canning, cheese making or home brewing. Citric acid that may be suitable for a bath bomb may not be safe for consumption.

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