Anything tastes better with tomato ketchup, made from ripe tomato sauce, salt, pepper, and a dash of magic.
But did you know there are several ways bottles of ketchup can help clean your home? Keep reading for some exciting cleaning hacks and ideas using ketchup in your home!
*This post contains affiliate links. Full disclosure here.
Cleaning Hacks Using Ketchup (That you may not know)
These bottles of ketchup hacks may seem unconventional, but really do work!
#1 Cleaning The Toilet
Ketchup is an excellent condiment to eliminate unpleasant odors in the bathroom. It works because vinegar, which is a key ingredient in ketchup, is a strong cleaning agent and deodorizer. The acidity of the vinegar helps break down tough stains and bacteria that can cause bad smells. Salt is also abrasive.
To use ketchup to clean a toilet, squeeze about 1/4 cup of ketchup into the bowl and swish it around with a toilet brush. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes before you flush. Flushing twice will help remove any remaining residue from the bowl. You’ll be left with a pleasant smell that masks any odors from urine or other unsanitary sources.
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly way to keep your bathroom clean without spending big bucks on expensive products, then giving this ketchup hack a try could be the cleaning product you’ve been searching for!
#2 Removing Burnt Food Stains
In addition, ketchup can be used to remove burnt food. When it comes to removing stubborn food from your dishes, utensils, pots, or cooking pan, ketchup is a great solution. You might even save yourself some time scrubbing.
Simply cover the pan or cookware with burnt-on food and let the ketchup work. Leave it overnight. Why you might ask? Citric acid breaks down tough things, and ketchup also has acetic acid in it.
Putting a few drops of ketchup on your utensils, pots, and pans will release the burnt food. Scrub and wash like normal.
#3 How to Clean Brass or Copper Using Ketchup
Who knew ketchup could do this to copper? There are many health benefits associated with copper, a standard household product. They are just as safe as they appear.
Corrosion is a common problem with copper. It will help if you clean your copper cookware with a safe cleaner. You won’t find a better answer than ketchup.
Use a sponge to scrub the copper cookware after you simply apply the ketchup. When you’re done, rinse and dry well. Using this ketchup trick, you can restore the copper pans shine
#4 Clean Silver Jewelry.
When left exposed for a long period of time, silver easily tarnishes (just like copper). As it is exposed to the air frequently, it may gradually blacken, losing its shine.
A thin coating is removed from the silver surface by most silver cleaners to restore its shine. In the event that these cleaners are used regularly, your jewelry may become damaged and fragile. The more natural method of preventing dullness is to wash them with ketchup and a damp cloth.
#5 Cleaning Car Alloys
It may be difficult to remove crusted dirt and grime from the exterior alloys of an automobile. Ketchup can be used to remove dirt from your vehicle without having to pay for a monthly vehicle washing.
Apply a layer of the condiment to the grime that has been collected and allow it to remain for a few minutes. Then rub. To ensure that the ketchup has been completely removed, rinse the area with warm water twice. The result is stunning! The ketchup left behind a car that looks as if it just rolled out of the showroom.
#6 Clean Gardening Equipment
If you’ve got a green thumb, you can save a ton on cleaners. There’s a lot of soap and labor involved in getting rid of rust on gardening equipment.
The first thing you’ll notice is how expensive these cleaners are when used almost every day. Additionally, chemical cleaners can damage your equipment. Vinegar and ketchup (with a little elbow grease) are far less expensive and more environmentally friendly ways to achieve the same results.
Other Ways To Clean With A Trusty Bottle Of Ketchup
#7 Get Rid of Dog Smell
It’s frustrating when your dog goes out and comes back with a foul odor. After that, you’re house and clothes are covered in the scent! If you would like to get rid of the dog odor from your home and clothes rather than reducing your playtime, you may use ketchup.
To remove a strange odor, try soaking all garments in ketchup for a few minutes before washing them. After the soak, wash items as normal. Then you don’t have to worry about a nasty doggy smell lingering in your house!
#8 Cleaning Metal with Ketchup
Keys that are rusted are difficult to use and, in some cases, may not even be able to open the appropriate locks. But ketchup can help save your sanity! You can restore their original shine and shape by covering them with ketchup and massaging gently to polish and remove the rust. Once rinsing with lukewarm water, you will have the solution to all of your problems or at least some of them.
#9 Clean Stainless Steel
Just like copper, stainless steel appliances and utensils will and probably will tarnish at some point. You can either prevent it from happening or make sure it doesn’t happen. Using ketchup as a cleaning product is all you need.
You’ll be cleaning the same way you do with copper. Make sure the stainless steel surface is covered in ketchup. Wipe it off with a damp cloth. Using another cloth, repeat the process. Alternatively, you could use a paper towel.
#10 Clean Brass
Cleaning brass with ketchup is surprisingly effective and easy to get your doorknobs, pans, and other brass items shiny again. Before you start, ensure that your brass item is free of dirt or grime; wipe it down with a wet cloth. Then, soak a piece of paper towel in ketchup and rub it onto the metal surface.
The ketchup’s acidity will help dissolve any tarnish or corrosion on the metal and leave it looking clean and polished. Be sure to rinse off all excess ketchup with another damp cloth afterward.
#11 Shaving Cream Alternative
Using ketchup as an alternative to traditional shaving cream is a trend that has been gaining traction recently. Many people are looking to make the switch because of the variety of benefits that come with using it as a substitute.
For starters, ketchup is much cheaper than traditional shaving creams and gels. It also lasts longer since it doesn’t need to be thrown away after every use as traditional creams do. Additionally, ketchup contains natural ingredients such as vinegar and tomatoes (like a paste or tomato sauce) which makes it softer on the skin than other products, reducing irritation and redness often caused by traditional methods. Furthermore, ketchup does not contain synthetics or artificial ingredients like some products do, making it a great option for those looking for a more natural approach to shaving.
Using ketchup as a replacement for shaving cream is easy too! All you need to do is apply an even layer of ketchup over the area you wish to shave, then let sit for five minutes before beginning the process. After this step, use a razor as normal but ensure to use short strokes and rinse off any excess product once finished.
After shaving with ketchup, be sure to moisturize.
Conclusion
Ketchup is not just a delicious condiment; made from yummy tomatoes and sauce with a delightful taste, any brand can also be used for cleaning. And because ketchup is non-toxic and biodegradable, it is a much safer option than many harsh chemical cleaners.
So next time your kitchen counter needs a touch-up or your silver starts to look dull, reach for a bit of the ketchup stored in your pantry or freezer (it’s shelf life is amazing!). It just may be the cleaner you’ve been looking for to make life a little bit easier.
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