Hidden Household Hacks: Common uses for everyday items

Soda Secrets

Everyone knows that Coca-Cola isn’t the best choice. Well, everyone aside from the rebbeim and teachers who give it out as prizes, and the kids who receive said coveted prizes. So what to do with that Coca-Cola that you bribed your child not to drink? Believe it or not, Coca-Cola does have some great uses around the house.

Toilet bowl cleaner.
Pour a 20 oz bottle of Coca-Cola into the toilet. Let it sit for an hour or overnight and watch the magic happen.

Laundry stain remover.
Add a can of Coke to your wash along with your regular detergent. The phosphoric acid in the soda can dissolve grease and marker stains, though it might create its own stains on lighter clothes.

Defrost an icy windshield.
Simply pour the Coca-Cola over the windshield and watch the sugar turn ice to easily removed slush.

Grout cleaner.
Dip a clean toothbrush into the soda and wet the grout thoroughly. Let the saturated grout sit for a few minutes, then scrub the stains with the toothbrush and then rinse with soapy water to remove any sticky residue.

Remove marker stains from carpet.
Pour a little Coke on the stain and scrub with a clean rag. Always work from the outside of the stain toward the center to avoid spreading the color. Finish by using a damp rag and water. This works best for darker-colored carpets.

Removing rust stains.
Your favorite salad servers were put away damp and now they’re rusty. Don’t despair — simply soak them in a bowl of Coca-Cola for a few hours and rinse as usual.

Removing charred or burned-on food from your pots and pans.
Try soaking the pot or pan in soda for a few hours to release the burnt food particles. Use a plastic scraper or sponge to remove the residue and wash as normal.

Removing gum from hair.
Saturate the affected area in Coca-Cola and let sit for a while. The gum should wash right out after this. Make sure to condition the hair after to return its natural oils.

Paste It
Toothpaste is another favorite household item with multiple uses. Removing crayon from walls. Put a small amount of non-gel toothpaste onto a cloth and rub over the crayon drawings. Once all the crayon is removed, wipe over the area with a damp cloth to remove any residue. (Please note, I take no responsibility for your child’s reaction to the destruction of his or her artwork.)

Soothing itchiness after an insect bite.
The menthol and baking soda found in many toothpastes can help with the itching and swelling that often accompanies bug bites. The astringent effect of toothpaste also helps draw out fluids from under your skin. Apply a thin layer and let it dry.

Grout cleaner.
This is one item that you can actually use whitening toothpaste for. Apply a small amount to an old toothbrush and scrub the grout lines until clean. The whitening agent will help brighten the grout lines. Use a damp cloth to wipe away any residue.

Cleaning food containers.
Sometimes, fan favorites like meatballs leave unwanted stains and smells in food storage containers. Apply a layer of toothpaste to the inside of your container and let it sit overnight. In the morning, wash the container with soap and water.

Catch Up with Ketchup

Cleaning with ketchup? Yup. Don’t try it on your favorite white shell, of course, but ketchup is an excellent cleaning agent.

Cleaning burnt residue from pots.
Douse the area with ketchup and leave to soak overnight. The acid in the ketchup will work its magic while you sleep. In the morning, you should be able to rinse the pot with soap, water, and very little elbow grease.

Polishing the silver.
In a pinch, ketchup is a great substitute for silver polish. Use a cloth to rub some ketchup onto the tarnished items. Be sure to rinse the item after only a few minutes, as the acid in ketchup can damage your silver if left on for too long. Buff with a dry cloth once rinsed.

Remove rust from cast-iron skillets.
Cover the stains with ketchup, let sit for 15 minutes, then wipe clean.

Mini ice packs.
You know those little ketchup packets that come with any takeout? Freeze them and use as miniature ice packs. They’re much easier for little hands to hold to their mini-sized boo-boos.

(Originally featured in Family First, Issue 930)