Which acid is commonly used to descale a dishwasher?

The correct choice for commonly descaling a dishwasher is citric acid, which is often used because of its effectiveness and gentleness compared to stronger acids. Citric acid helps to dissolve mineral deposits like limescale that can build up inside dishwashers due to hard water. It is a natural acid found in citrus fruits, making it less harsh on the environment and safer for household use than stronger acids.

While hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid can remove scale, they are much stronger and can be damaging to the materials inside a dishwasher if not used extremely carefully. Similarly, while orthophosphoric acid is effective in some applications, it is often not the ideal choice for appliance descaling due to potential corrosiveness and chemical handling concerns. Using citric acid helps ensure safe cleaning without risking damage to the dishwasher components.