How does citric acid remove limescale?

Answer 1

Well, first of all there are many different types of acids used to get rid of rust, citric acid is just one of them, Anyway when adding acid to rust you are making the rust or oxidizing metal more water soluble hence making it easier to remove rust! Hope that helps!

Answer 2

Most acids will remove limescale which is basically calcium carbonate. Even though citric acid is a weak acid and does not produce many protons, it does produce some. The generic equation for this is:

CaCO3 + 2H+ -----> Ca2+ (soluble and can be washed away) + H2O + CO2

Answer 3

Stainless steel is mainly designed with the intention of giving high resistance for the process of rusting.

However, when iron as a pure metal is taken, citric acid can cause rust.