Common Names: Trisodium Citrate
Function: Water softener, pH buffer, chelating agent
EWG Rating: 1 (Lowest Concern)
What It Is
Sodium citrate is the trisodium salt of citric acid, a naturally occurring organic acid found in citrus fruits. It is widely used in food, cosmetics, and cleaning products due to its mildness, buffering capacity, and low toxicity.
In laundry formulations, it plays a supportive role in improving detergent performance and fabric safety.
What It Does in Laundry
Sodium citrate enhances cleaning by:
- Softening water: Binds with calcium and magnesium ions that interfere with detergent effectiveness.
- Balancing pH: Helps maintain a stable, slightly alkaline pH in the wash water.
- Improving rinsing: Reduces the potential for residue by helping other ingredients rinse cleanly.
It acts as a gentle, natural alternative to harsher builders and water softeners.
Safety and Environmental Profile
- Biodegradability: Readily biodegradable and naturally occurring in the environment.
- Human safety: Commonly used in food and pharmaceuticals. Low risk of irritation or sensitization.
- Environmental impact: Very low. Non-toxic to aquatic life and does not bioaccumulate.
Source and Production
Sodium citrate is produced by neutralizing citric acid with either sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide. The citric acid itself is derived from microbial fermentation, acting on plant-based sugars like corn, molasses, or cassava.
The neutralization step is a straightforward acid-base reaction that yields a chemically stable, water-soluble compound with excellent buffering properties (helps maintain a stable pH in solution, improving cleaning performance and supporting fabric and skin safety).
The process is considered low-impact and non-toxic, relying on renewable raw materials and avoiding synthetic solvents or petrochemical inputs. Sodium citrate is readily biodegradable and widely accepted in food, pharmaceutical, and cleaning applications due to its safety, effectiveness, and mild environmental profile.
This profile is part of Orchard’s Ingredient Glossary, written to provide information on every component we use.