That cola in your fridge is about to get a lot more
useful.
Clean
Your Toilet
Out of toilet cleaner? The phosphoric acid in Coca-Cola can take care of
buildup. Pour a 12-ounce can of Coke in the bowl and let it sit for 30 minutes.
Scrub the sides of your toilet with a brush, then flush for a sparkle on par
with what you might expect after using an expensive cleaner. Finally, decide
how you feel about the fact that your favorite beverage can defeat bathroom
stains.
Better
Compost
If you ever forget about a can of Coke and leave it open overnight, you don’t
necessarily need to pour it out. Flat Coke can be a great way to get your
compost pile going. The mild acidity of the drink will break down the material
in your bin, and the sugar will attract bugs to help take care of the rest.
Clean
Corroded Battery Terminals
Is corrosion on the battery leaving your car struggling to start? Disconnect
the battery cables and then pour a little Coke on the connection points. The
soda will eat away the corrosion. Use a brush to remove it, and then rinse the
Coke off with a little water.
Clean
Your Clothes
If you have a particularly troublesome oil stain or bloodstain on your
clothing, then Coke might be just the thing you need. Pour a can in the washing
machine along with your stained duds (yes, we know how strange that sounds),
and run it through a cycle just as you normally would. Coke will not only help
to remove stubborn stains but also will freshen up your load.
Get
That Gum
Did you pull a Lisa Simpson and get gum stuck in your hair? We won’t ask how it
happened, but we can tell you how to get rid of it. Soak the gummy portion of
your locks in a glass of Coke for 5 minutes. Afterwards the gum should slide
out of your hair much more easily. The trick also works for gum stuck on the
sole of your shoe or anywhere else.
Revive
the Driveway
Finally rid your driveway of that obstinate oil stain by pouring some Coke on
it. Allow the stain to soak in the soda for a few hours. Then spray it off with
a garden hose.
Deep-Clean
the Kitchen Floor
Coke can be a quick and dirty way to get rid of grime between your kitchen
tiles. Pour some of the soda on troublesome spots and allow it to sit for 5 to
10 minutes. The dirt and stains should come up fairly easily after that—just
make sure to mop again with floor cleaner or clean water so you don’t end up
with a sticky floor.
Savor
the Flavor
Coke can be used as a marinade for everything from chicken to a nice steak. The
beverage tenderizes your meat and gives it a sweet taste. There are a litany of
recipes out there that use Coke. Our favorites include this one for steak and this
one for teriyaki chicken.
Soothe
Stings
Whether you’ve been stung by a jellyfish or a bumblebee, Coke can quickly
become your best friend. Pour a little soda over the sting for instant relief
from that painful burning feeling.
Defrost
Your Windshield
Scraping a thick layer of ice off your windshield is a wintertime pain few of
us want to deal with first thing in the morning. Cut down your time out in the
cold by pouring a Coke on the glass. After a few minutes the ice will be much
easier to scrape off. Rinse your windshield with water once it’s all defrosted.
