Did you know your favorite cola has alternative uses besides quenching your thirst?
It’s true! You might be surprised by just how many ways you can implement it throughout your house. That bubbly drink may never look the same after you learn about its other purposes.
Today, we highlight the ten best ways to use soda to make household chores cheaper and easier.
Let’s dive in!
About Cola’s Many Alternative Uses
Pop. Soda. Coke. Whatever you call it, it’s a polarizing topic between healthcare providers and the general public. After all, most of us love that sweet, fizzy flavor even though we know it’s not great for us.
But it’s good for more than just a sugar rush. You can find plenty of alternative ways to use cola around your house. Stubborn grease stains and hard-water deposits are no match for this popular beverage. It can attract and kill insects in one go. This sweet elixir can even reverse damage caused by rust and grease.
It might sound unbelievable, but try these tricks and watch the magic happen before your eyes. Here are ten of the best ways to put that two-liter bottle to use.
#1 Clean Your Toilets
We all get nasty rings in our toilets if they haven’t been scrubbed in a while. And the longer they sit, the harder it is to eliminate them. Specialty products can be expensive and contain caustic chemicals. But soda can get the job done without the drawbacks.
Take about 20 ounces of cola and pour it straight into the bowl. You can even fill an empty bottle of toilet cleaner with the stuff to squirt it under the lip.
This next part is important. You need to let it sit untouched for at least an hour. For the best results, leave it overnight. Then, give it a quick once-over with your scrub brush and flush. Your throne should be back to its sparkly glory.
#2 Remove Rust
Rust can make your tools unusable, and your once-shiny metals look worn out. Fortunately, one alternative use for cola is removing small amounts of this corrosion.
Many sodas contain phosphoric acid, which works on a chemical level to break down rust. It won’t work on heavily affected items, but it’ll obliterate surface damage.
For this application, you’ll want to use flat pop. So open up a large bottle and let it lose carbonation overnight.
You can soak small tools like garden snips for 24 hours, then scrub to remove the excess. With bigger items like chrome car bumpers, you might wet a cloth with soda and then wipe down the surface. You can alternate with a folded piece of aluminum foil for a mild abrasive effect.
#3 Make Grungy Grout Shine
Stained grout in your kitchen and bathroom can make your space feel yucky, even if you wash it regularly. And those little areas between tiles are notoriously hard to clean.
For small jobs, simply dip a toothbrush into your soda and use it to wet the grout. Allow the liquid to sit for a few minutes, then scrub the grime away. If you have more ground to cover, you can fill a spray bottle with cola to make this alternative use more effortless.
When you finish, wipe down the tile with soapy water so you don’t leave a sticky residue behind.
#4 Eliminate Mildew in Your Bathrooms
Showers, bathtubs, and sinks can become mildew magnets over time. High-humidity areas may develop tiny black spots that grow when left unaddressed. But once again, it’s soda to the rescue!
The acidity in cola makes quick work of minor mildew and soap scum. Pour, spray, or wipe it onto the surface and allow it to sit. Be sure to hit drains and faucets, as well. These nooks and crannies can harbor funk that fizzy pop can cut through.
After it’s had time to work, simply turn on the tap and wash away the gunk. You may need to do some mild scrubbing for filthy spots, but a strong current should rinse it off on its own.
#5 Revive Pots and Pans
It can be nearly impossible to remove burned-on food from your cookware. When soaking in soap and water isn’t enough, use the alternative soda treatment.
All you have to do is pour your bubbly beverage into the pot, then set it on the stovetop over low heat. Give it about an hour for the acids to bust through the baked-on bits. Then, dump the liquid down the drain and use a wooden or plastic spatula to scrape off the residue.
Depending on the state of your pan, it may take one or two rounds to get all the charred spots off. After you drain the soda, you can add some coarse salt as an extra abrasive element. When finished, your cookware should be as good as new.
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#6 Make Windows and Mirrors Sparkle
It’s no secret that windows need cleaning regularly. After all, dirt and hard-water stains are particularly obvious on see-through surfaces. However, you don’t have to buy a specialty product to make them shine. All you need is a bottle of cola and your list of alternative ways to use it.
Diet soda works well for this trick, as it contains more citric acid than the regular kind. But either one will get the job done.
Spray or wipe a bit of the liquid onto your windows, mirrors, and other glass surfaces. Then, go over it again with a clean cloth. If it feels a little sticky, you can give it one more pass with a damp towel.
You can use this tip on indoor and outdoor windows, toothpaste stains on your bathroom mirror, and even eyeglasses.
We wondered: Can Vodka Remove Carpet Stains?
#7 Clean a Corroded Battery Terminal
Nothing can ruin your day quite like a dead car battery. But sometimes, it’s not that you’re totally out of juice. Instead, corrosion is possibly stopping the power from reaching the cables.
If you notice a white or light blue buildup on your battery, you might be able to get it running with an alternative use for cola. Simply unhook the cables and pour some soda on the terminal posts. After a few minutes, scrub off the gunk and repeat the process as necessary. When it’s nice and clean, give it a final wipe-down, make sure it’s dry, and start your engine.
#8 Get Rid of Pesky Driveway Stains
Unsightly stains on your pavement can really wreck your curb appeal. Plus, you won’t want to track car fluids into your house. Fortunately, we found an easy fix for this problem. And as you probably guessed, it’s another alternative use for bubbly cola.
Pour a can of fresh fizz on top of any oil spots and let it sit overnight. In the morning, hose off your driveway and see how it looks. Sometimes, it’ll remove everything, but other stains require a little elbow grease.
If you’re unhappy with the final product, sprinkle a bit of powdered dishwasher detergent on the area and scrub away any remaining discoloration. Finally, give it another rinse with your garden hose to reveal a spotless parking place.
Keep in mind that sugary soda will probably attract ants. To keep them away, use the diet version instead.
Next Step: How to Easily Seal Your Driveway.
#9 Kill Creepy Crawlies
Nobody likes insects invading their home. However, keeping a pest-free living space without using chemicals harmful to bees and other beneficial bugs can be tricky. Fortunately, there’s a solution. And it might already be in your refrigerator.
You can use cola as an alternative to toxic insecticides. When slugs invade your garden, pour soda into a bowl and set it in your plot. The elixir will lure them in, and they won’t be able to escape.
If you’re dealing with fruit flies, unscrew the cap from a two-liter bottle of pop, then use a sharp knife to chop off the upper few inches. Flip it upside down and set it back on top to make a funnel. The flies will seek out the sweet liquid but can’t find their way out of the small opening.
#10 Bring Your Clothes Back to Life
Our final alternative use for cola might be the most helpful. We’ve all gotten greasy stains on our clothes, which can be tough to remove. But the phosphoric acid in your favorite drink can make them disappear.
Some folks suggest dumping a can of the bubbly stuff into your washing machine. However, we think pre-treating with it is best. Pour it directly onto the fabric and let it soak for a bit. Then, use a soft brush to scrub the spot. Finally, wash the item as you normally would. Be sure to check the stains before tossing them in the dryer. If they’re still visible, repeat the process.
You’ll want to spot-test with soda to ensure it won’t damage your clothes. Expensive fabrics like cashmere and silk likely require professional attention. However, your average tee should hold up just fine.
What’s Your Favorite Alternative Use For Cola?
As you can see, cola has plenty of alternative uses outside of an afternoon pick-me-up. It’s a multi-purpose tool that’s cheap and effective. And there’s a good chance you already have a can or bottle around your house.
The next time you have a tough cleaning job around the house, try your favorite soda before buying an expensive, single-use product. If nothing else, you’ll be able to enjoy a sip or two while you tackle your task!
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