Food and drink cleaning hacks for your home

No one likes cleaning (if you do, head our way). Besides the fact it eats into our precious time, the costs mount up, with polish, window cleaner, bleach, dusters – you name it – constantly being added to our shopping list. But did you know you’ve already plenty of items lurking in your kitchen that can help you clean? And that they’re all things you eat and drink? Say hello to our top food and drink cleaning hacks to make your home sparkle.

1. Ketchup

We’re not kidding – ketchup isn’t just for smothering over burgers, chips and more (or everything if you’ve kids). Depending on the brand – we say go for the one that begins with an H and ends with a Z; it’s ideal for removing rust as it’s made with concentrated tomato paste and distilled vinegar, creating a high acetic content. Simply apply a generous layer over the rust in question, leave for a few hours, then clean with warm soapy water and a wire brush.

2. Coke

A can of the good stuff (no, not beer), coke is also on our food and drink cleaning hacks for several reasons. It’s impressive stuff, kicking off by removing oil stains on your drive by letting it soak in for a few hours. What else? It’s for cleaning tile grout – this time letting it sit for just a few minutes before wiping clean. It’s also works well removing stains in your toilet bowl and can also get rid of baked-on grease from your pots and pans.

3. Walnuts

Nut allergy sufferers steer clear, but those who can handle walnuts will be surprised at how effective they are for cleaning. Where and how? They magic away scratches and marks on wood flooring or furniture thanks to their natural oils that get into the marks and make them less noticeable in the process. Just rub over the damage before using a finger to further penetrate the oil. Try it – you’ll be cross you’ve never tried it before.

4. Bananas

Yet another on our food and drink cleaning hacks list is the banana. It’s the peel we’re after here, used to clean your houseplant leaves with just a simple rub. Best for any waxy varieties, the peel’s also ideal as a natural fertiliser, soaking in water for a few days before using to hydrate your plants. Containing essential nutrients for plant growth, you’ll soon see a difference as it boosts roots, helps with shoot growth as well as promoting vitality.

5. Mayonnaise

Another of our favourite condiments is also great when it comes to cleaning your home. What can it do? A lot; starting with helping remove stubborn rust on bathroom porcelain. It gets smudges off stainless steel; lubricates noisy door hinges; adds shine to wooden surfaces and can even remove crayon marks on walls (thanks, kids). Just make sure to only use it on painted walls with semi-gloss or satin finishes, and not matte or flat finishes.

6. Onions

Then there’s the food staple in everyone’s home: the onion. But humble it isn’t when it comes to eliminating odours, soaking up unpleasant smells by absorbing it itself. Dirty grill? Chop one in half and watch as its acidity dissolves grime without you scrubbing away. It’s even a natural way to repel garden pests; with the sulphur found in onions creating a scent bugs detest. Just blend or crush and mix with water before spraying where bugs like to live.

7. Vodka

Stop: before you reach for that mixer you might want to think of the cleaning properties the spirit has. It freshens up fabrics, upholstery, and carpeting, and removes soap and scum. It also destroys garden weeds, cleans your mattress (yes, really), removes glue and also eradicates grease from pots and pans. You can even use it on glass: whether you choose to use it to clean your windows or watch it slowly disappear in your tumbler’s down to you. Hic. 

8. Potatoes

Last on our food and drink cleaning hacks is one we bake, airfry, oven or boil. And, while we eat potatoes pretty much every day (unless you’re a carb-o-phobe, which we’re not), try saving a couple to see how they clean. They scrub away stains with salt or baking soda; and remove rust from metal thanks to their oxalic acid content. You can even get mashing to add shine to copper or brass. If you’ve the willpower not to dig into the mash, that is.