Q.
How should baking soda and citric acid be used differently?
A.
Citric acid, as the name suggests, is mildly acidic and is effective against alkaline stains (such as water scale and soap scum). Baking soda is mildly alkaline and is effective against acidic stains such as grease and sebum. It works in the opposite way to citric acid.
Stains that cannot be removed with baking soda can be removed with citric acid, and stains that cannot be removed with citric acid can be removed with baking soda. They complement each other. Using them according to the nature of the stain will improve cleaning efficiency.