Coca-Cola was introduced to the public in 1886. Since that time people have discovered that the popular soft drink can substitute for a wide variety of household products.
Once you learn about the things you can do with Coke, you might want to keep some in your cleaning cupboard and not just in the refrigerator.
2. Window cleaner
The citric acid in Coke cuts through build-ups of dirt and grime on windows and car windshields. Pour coke onto a sponge and scrub the glass in circular motions. After cleaning the window, dip a cloth in water and wipe down the glass to remove sticky sugar residues. Coke can also be used to defrost a windshield. Pour it over the icy area and wait a few minutes before scraping.
1. Rust remover
The phosphoric acid in Coke interacts with iron oxide to dissolve rust. Put the rusty item in a plastic bucket and pour in enough cola to cover it. Leave it to soak for 24 hours. The next day, scrub vigorously to clean off the rust. If any rust remains, put the item back in the cola bath overnight and repeat the process. To remove rust from chrome, scrub it with a crumbled piece of aluminum foil dipped in Coke.
The phosphoric acid in Coke interacts with iron oxide to dissolve rust. Put the rusty item in a plastic bucket and pour in enough cola to cover it. Leave it to soak for 24 hours. The next day, scrub vigorously to clean off the rust. If any rust remains, put the item back in the cola bath overnight and repeat the process. To remove rust from chrome, scrub it with a crumbled piece of aluminum foil dipped in Coke.
2. Window cleaner
The citric acid in Coke cuts through build-ups of dirt and grime on windows and car windshields. Pour coke onto a sponge and scrub the glass in circular motions. After cleaning the window, dip a cloth in water and wipe down the glass to remove sticky sugar residues. Coke can also be used to defrost a windshield. Pour it over the icy area and wait a few minutes before scraping.
3. Stomach soother
Coke is an old fashioned remedy for stomach ailments. Many people find that it helps to relieve indigestion, heartburn, nausea and diarrhea. It is especially recommended for treating motion sickness and seasickness. Medicinal cola syrup is sold in pharmacies, but drinking a flat bottle of coke will have the same effect.
Coke is an old fashioned remedy for stomach ailments. Many people find that it helps to relieve indigestion, heartburn, nausea and diarrhea. It is especially recommended for treating motion sickness and seasickness. Medicinal cola syrup is sold in pharmacies, but drinking a flat bottle of coke will have the same effect.
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| Practical Uses for Coca-Cola |
4. Bathroom cleaner
The acids in cola eat away soap scum and hard water stains to leave porcelain shining. Pour a can of Coke into the toilet bowl. Leave it to work for 30 minutes, then scrub with a toilet brush and flush the grime away. Pour coke onto a sponge scrubber and use it to clean the basin and bathtub. As an added bonus, the cola will help to break up mats of hair and debris in your pipes as it goes down the drain.
The acids in cola eat away soap scum and hard water stains to leave porcelain shining. Pour a can of Coke into the toilet bowl. Leave it to work for 30 minutes, then scrub with a toilet brush and flush the grime away. Pour coke onto a sponge scrubber and use it to clean the basin and bathtub. As an added bonus, the cola will help to break up mats of hair and debris in your pipes as it goes down the drain.
5. Grease stain remover
The acids in Coke cut through grease stains on clothing and the carbonation helps to lift them from the fabric. Pour some cola directly on stains and leave it to work for 30 minutes before laundering. For extra grease-busting power, add any remaining cola in the bottle to the washing machine along with your usual detergent. The cola will also help to deodorize smelly clothes.
The acids in Coke cut through grease stains on clothing and the carbonation helps to lift them from the fabric. Pour some cola directly on stains and leave it to work for 30 minutes before laundering. For extra grease-busting power, add any remaining cola in the bottle to the washing machine along with your usual detergent. The cola will also help to deodorize smelly clothes.
6. Hair treatment
The phosphoric acid in Coke has a low pH level. When applied to hair, it causes the cuticle to contract. This makes hair appear smoother and shinier. Any natural curl in the hair will also be enhanced. Simply pour enough cola over your hair to saturate it and leave it in for ten minutes. It’s important to shampoo the sugar out of your hair immediately after treating it with coke. If it dries it could leave a crusty residue.
7. Pot cleaner
Acids in Coke can restore the shine to a burnt, blackened stainless steel pot. Put the pot on the stove and pour in enough coke to cover the discolored area by an inch. Bring it to the boil, then reduce the heat to low. Leave it to simmer for 30 minutes. Pour out the cola and wash the pot as usual.
8. Pesticide
If your garden plants are being eaten by slugs, snails or bugs, tempt the pests into a cola trap. Collect some small plastic containers such as margarine tubs. Dig holes between flowers or vegetables that you want to protect and insert the containers level with the soil. Fill them with cola. The sugar will attract the pests and the acid in the cola will kill them. You can pour the leftover flat Coke onto plants like azaleas and gardenias that thrive in acidic soil.
9. Skunk odor eliminator
If your dog has had a nasty encounter with a skunk, you can use coke to neutralize the odor. Pour it over your pet and work it into the fur. Follow with a dog bath using regular pet shampoo. If you get sprayed by a skunk, stand in the bath or shower stall and drench your body in cola. After five minutes, take an ordinary shower with soap. Soak your smelly clothes in cola before washing them.
10. Meat enhancer
The sugars in Coke give meat a deep glossy coating and caramelized flavor, while the citric acid provides a pleasant tang. Use cola as a braising liquid for ribs, pork belly or pot roast. Mix it with molasses and whisky to make a sweet glaze for ham. Combine cola with ketchup and vinegar to make a sticky barbecue sauce for chicken or ribs. Coke can also be used as a marinade to tenderize cheap cuts of beef.
The phosphoric acid in Coke has a low pH level. When applied to hair, it causes the cuticle to contract. This makes hair appear smoother and shinier. Any natural curl in the hair will also be enhanced. Simply pour enough cola over your hair to saturate it and leave it in for ten minutes. It’s important to shampoo the sugar out of your hair immediately after treating it with coke. If it dries it could leave a crusty residue.
7. Pot cleaner
Acids in Coke can restore the shine to a burnt, blackened stainless steel pot. Put the pot on the stove and pour in enough coke to cover the discolored area by an inch. Bring it to the boil, then reduce the heat to low. Leave it to simmer for 30 minutes. Pour out the cola and wash the pot as usual.
8. Pesticide
If your garden plants are being eaten by slugs, snails or bugs, tempt the pests into a cola trap. Collect some small plastic containers such as margarine tubs. Dig holes between flowers or vegetables that you want to protect and insert the containers level with the soil. Fill them with cola. The sugar will attract the pests and the acid in the cola will kill them. You can pour the leftover flat Coke onto plants like azaleas and gardenias that thrive in acidic soil.
9. Skunk odor eliminator
If your dog has had a nasty encounter with a skunk, you can use coke to neutralize the odor. Pour it over your pet and work it into the fur. Follow with a dog bath using regular pet shampoo. If you get sprayed by a skunk, stand in the bath or shower stall and drench your body in cola. After five minutes, take an ordinary shower with soap. Soak your smelly clothes in cola before washing them.
10. Meat enhancer
The sugars in Coke give meat a deep glossy coating and caramelized flavor, while the citric acid provides a pleasant tang. Use cola as a braising liquid for ribs, pork belly or pot roast. Mix it with molasses and whisky to make a sweet glaze for ham. Combine cola with ketchup and vinegar to make a sticky barbecue sauce for chicken or ribs. Coke can also be used as a marinade to tenderize cheap cuts of beef.
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