Household tips
You’ll never believe these 12 unusual uses for Coca-Cola
Image: Scott Spedding
Coca-Cola is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. Introduced by Colonel John Pemberton in 1886, the recipe for this famous carbonated drink is one of the best-kept secrets in American history. Even though we don't quite know how it's made, we love to drink it along with our favorite foods. But in addition to being delicious, its special ingredients make it an incredible asset for a myriad of household applications. From removing rust to cleaning clothes and various surfaces, discover 12 alternative uses for Coca-Cola that will change your life forever!
1
Rust remover
Image: Bekky Bekks
Did you know that if your metal objects are rusting, you can bring them back to life by soaking them in Coca-Cola overnight? The next morning, you'll find that you can easily clean them and even recover their shine!
Rust removal on old tools, screws, cutlery, coins, bicycles, and even car engines is believed to be due to the sodium benzoate present in Coke. This ingredient is a food preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold. Additionally, studies suggest that it acts as a corrosion inhibitor .
2
Window cleaning
Image: Pixabay
Cleaning glass with a dark, sticky liquid? Sounds silly, doesn't it? Well, believe it or not, the citric acid in Coca-Cola makes for an excellent window cleaner. This is especially true for car windows, which tend to accumulate a lot of dirt and debris.
Pour a can of Coke into a spray bottle and apply it to the window surface you want to clean. Rub it with a rag, and if necessary, scrub it with a soft toothbrush. Then, wipe it all off with a damp cloth to ensure no sticky residue is left. Voilà—enjoy your crystal-clear windows!
3
Cooking
Image: Leighann Blackwood
Since its invention nearly a century and a half ago, Coca-Cola has been the perfect match for a cheeseburger or a slice of pizza. But did you know it can also be used in cooking? Its peculiar and characteristic flavor, along with the sugars and acidity of its secret formula, combine especially well with meats .
It’s ideal for mixing with BBQ sauce to create an excellent marinade or even for baking a whole chicken. Like wine or coffee, Coke can also be used to prepare delicious desserts, such as brownies and ice cream shakes.
4
De-blacken pots
Image: Dan Meyers
Over time and with multiple uses, pots and pans develop a blackened color on the bottom and sides that is difficult to remove.
To restore your favorite kitchen tools to like-new condition, just apply a glass of effervescent Coca-Cola and put it on the stove on low heat. Let it work for at least an hour to loosen the dirt. Then, scrub as usual—you’ll never believe the results!
5
Clean greasy clothes
Image: Annie Spratt
Everyone knows that grease stains are difficult to remove from clothing. Commercial stain removers can be expensive, contain many chemicals, and don’t always work. But there is a much simpler solution: one of Coca-Cola's alternative uses is removing grease stains from clothing .
Just add a can of Coke to your washing machine cycle or apply it directly to the affected area. Coca-Cola can even help deodorize smelly clothes !
6
Remove paint from furniture
Image: Ivars Krutainis
If you have a piece of furniture that has fallen victim to a paint stain —or an innocent marker drawing made by one of your children or grandchildren—and you want to make it look as good as new, dip a rag in Coca-Cola and rub it hard on the affected area.
To finish, simply wipe the area to prevent it from becoming sticky. Yes, it’s as easy as it sounds!
7
Drain cleaning
Image: Semevent
There are mixed feelings about the effectiveness of this trick, but there’s nothing better than trying it yourself to see if it works. Many suggest that applying Coca-Cola to drains can help clear clogs . Simply pour a bottle of the drink down the drain and let it work. Then, finish by pouring a cup of hot water down the drain.
You may be wondering: Is there any scientific evidence to support this claim? One of the ingredients in the most famous soda in the world is phosphoric acid , an anticorrosive that, in the case of Coca-Cola, is used for flavor. But don’t worry—the amount of phosphoric acid in Coca-Cola is safe for human consumption!
8
Insect repellent
Image: alleksana
No, it’s not about applying it to the skin, but using it as bait . If you’re going to be outdoors in an area with lots of insects, pour a glass of Coke into a shallow dish and let the bugs be attracted by its high sugar content (according to studies, one can contains the equivalent of ten teaspoons). You’ll see how they stay there and don’t bother you.
This alternative use of Coca-Cola is great for reducing the need for chemical pesticides in your garden. You can even pour the leftover liquid onto plants that thrive in acidic soil, like camellias and rhododendrons.
9
Relief from bites
Image: Ximena Mora
What happens if you forget to set the Coke bug trap beforehand? If you’re too late and get bitten by a mosquito or a bee, the solution can still be Coca-Cola.
Pour the soda over the bite area (or, better yet, soak a cotton pad and apply it to the specific spot) to help reduce the swelling and provide some relief.
10
Remove gum from hair
Image: Natalia Olivera
Gum stuck in hair can be a great frustration for parents or grandparents of naughty children. Believe us, a trick like this will save you from a big headache! But how does it work? The phosphoric acid in Coca-Cola reacts with the hair's natural oils, affecting the gum's properties. As a result, the gum won’t be able to adhere to the hair and, with the help of a comb, will come off easily.
While the gum may be easy to remove, the hard part is getting the kid to stay still for the duration of the process!
11
Cleaning the bathroom
Image: PeterKraayvanger
Have you run out of cleaning products and have guests coming over? Don’t panic—that abandoned Coke can at the bottom of your fridge is about to save you from the embarrassment of having a dirty toilet. Coca-Cola can be used to clean bathroom wall tiles, the toilet, and the bathtub.
A simple and practical way to do this is to use the spray nozzle from an old cleaning product, screw it onto a bottle of Coke, and spray the soda on the walls. Wait a few seconds, then wipe with a cloth or sponge... and it will be as good as new.
12
Make a science experiment
Image: Lucas Santos
Creating a geyser by mixing Coke and Mentos is practically a rite of passage for most kids—it's explosive, messy, and lots of fun! But how does it work?
Strange as it may sound, it's not a chemical reaction but a physical phenomenon . Mentos have thousands of tiny pores that disrupt the polar attractions between water molecules, creating thousands of nucleation sites ideal for gas molecules to congregate. The bubbles increase in size, causing the liquid to shoot out and rise to the surface, creating a spectacular effect that appeals to both children and adults alike!
