15 Coca-Cola Hacks That Really Work!
15. Meat Tenderizer
The fizzy soda is the perfect sweet and tangy element for glazing ham. Not only does Coca-Cola intensify the flavor of the baked meat, but it gives it a caramelized finish. The carbonation in the drinking aid in tenderizing the meat by making it soft and allowing it to sit for long periods, such as six hours or even overnight.
Coke is sometimes used in chicken and steak marinades, making it flavorful and reduces the cooking time. The drink is often mixed with a thickening sauce such as ketchup or barbecue sauce to help lock in the taste of the meat both inside and outside.
14. Vintage Looks
If you love arts and crafts, then you’ll love this Coca-Cola hack! Put some coke in a spray bottle and spritz a document or a photo of your choice to give it a vintage look! Make sure you spray lightly, so you don’t ruin the paper. Or you can use a sponge dipped in soda and gently dabbed around the document.
This method also makes the paper sticky, so handle with care to avoid ripping. Afterward, leave it to dry for a few minutes before framing or storing it in an album!
Don’t use any kind of soft drink that doesn’t use caramel food coloring, or else it won’t show up too well.
13. Stain Remover
Cleaning clothes with grease or blood stains can be difficult to remove and might require several spins in the washing machine. Plus, we all know how expensive stain removers can cost, but Coca-Cola can actually be used as an alternative stain remover. Not only is it cheap, but aside from clothing, it can also remove fabric stains on carpet too.
All you have to do is pour a can of the soft drink into the laundry filled with water and solvent. Wash as you normally would through a regular spin cycle. Once it is done, let the articles of clothing dry! Don’t forget that coke itself if brown, so discolorations on lighter fabrics or clothing might be better removed in a different way.
12. Gum Remover
Gum is gross and sticky, and it can be a nightmare to remove if it gets stuck in your hair. For some people, a quick fix is just to grab a pair of scissors and snip it off. But there is no need to ruin your hairstyle! Even if the chewing gum is soft and is spread all over your hair, Coca-Cola can help aid in removing the sticky residue.
You need to have it cooled and then carefully apply the soda on the section of hair covered by the gum. It will then harden; once it is firm, you will be able to remove it.
However, be careful not to dose the fizzy soda all over your head. The chemical ingredients are quite acidic and can weaken the keratin in your hair. So just pour enough coke on your hair to soften the gum, then be sure to wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo and conditioner.
11. Rust Fighter
The carbonated drink is an excellent remedy when it comes to removing unwanted rust stains on metal. Coca-Cola has a 2.8 ph level, and it is pretty acidic. So if your old truck or golf clubs are getting a little rusty, save few dollars and just buy a liter of Coca Cola for under two bucks! All you have to do is wipe the product down with a can of the fizzy soda and gently scrub with a sponge.
Then when you’re done, rinse off with water to wash away any sticky residue. You can use this simple technique on anything from tools, pennies, keys, and locks.
10. Jellyfish Sting Reliever
Contrary to popular belief, you should never urinate on the affected area as this will make the problem worse. When a person is stung, a jellyfish releases tiny spiny covered tubules that hook onto your skin, discharging various chemicals into your body. So washing it off with fresh water or urination can change the toxicity level.
To shut down those chemicals, you should soak vinegar onto the area or Coca-Cola for at least thirty minutes. The acidity of the drink should neutralize it. Remember to seek medical attention as soon as possible even after treating the affected area to effectively treat jellyfish stings!
9. Toilet Cleaner
Scrubbing the toilet is the last chore anyone wants to do. But you can actually use coke to clean your toilet bowl. Not only will it make the job a simple task, but you won’t have to worry about those chemical fumes too. If you have limescale stains or toilet rings, this soft drink will do the trick to get your toilet bowl clean!
Due to the citric, phosphoric, and carbonic acids contained in the beverage, it can help break down the stains. These chemicals are a result of the carbonation, not the flavorings, so they can also use diet soda as well.
Just pour the Coke into the bowl; if you don’t want to get your hands dirty, you can use a spray bottle. But let the drink sit, preferably an hour. For the best results, you can leave it overnight. After some time has passed, all you have to do is flush it away! For persistent stains, you might have to use a toilet brush for removal.
8. Corrosion Eliminator
Corrosion buildup on a car’s battery terminal can create issues when trying to start the ignition. Fortunately, Coke can dissolve corrosion on the terminal efficiently. When doing this, make sure to turn off your car first! Then simply open up a can of the beverage and carefully drench it over the terminal.
Let it soak for several minutes. Then you can gently scrub the corrosion away and rinse the terminals with warm water to clean off any stickiness from the soda. It might be best to use a cleaner or a brush designed for cleaning the terminal. But it’s nice to know that a can of coke can be a quick fix when you’re in a bind.
7. Windshield Bug Wiper
Driving through the mountains can be a fun ride, but what isn’t fun is getting rid of the bugs that flew into your windshield. Scrubbing away with soap and water takes time, but luckily coke can do the job for you! Just gently pour a can of coke over your windshield and let it sit a minute or until. Afterward, you can wipe off the area with a wet washcloth. Remember not to let it sit for too long as the acidity from the soda can damage your car’s paint job, but it is a handy trick that is fast and efficient. So the next time you’re going on a long road trip, then remember to pack a can of coke with you.
6. Pan Cleaner
Now you already know that Coca-Cola is awesome at removing grease stains, but it’s also a great cleanser for removing baked-on stains on your pots and pans too! All you have to do is pour the carbonated drink in a saucepan and let it heat up on the stove. Leave it on the burner for about half an hour then remove it from the stove. Use a pad or scouring sponge to polish away the tough grime. This procedure can also be used when you have stuck on foods that are difficult to clean like rice or pasta. The same steps can also be implemented for a baking pan; however, instead of heating up the baking pan, heat the coke up in a pot first. Then pour the hot drink into the pan when you’re done scrubbing, clean with soap and water.
5. DIY Hair Removal
A change in hair color can be fashionable and fun, but if something goes wrong, it can be a catastrophe. Fresh hair dye can take weeks, if not months, to remove, but there are some ways to help speed the process. If your hair is dyed a dark color and you want to lighten it up, you can use regular or diet Coca-Cola to help expedite the process. Rinsing your hair with the carbonated beverage will fade the color quickly, but do not use this method every day as the acidity can damage the keratin in your hair.
4. Head Lice Home Remedy
Each year, dozens of children everywhere get infected with head lice. The standard treatment is to purchase an insecticidal shampoo at the store and to comb out the hair with a specialty comb. But depending on the severity of the situation, there are home remedies that can help tackle the lice as well, including the use of Coca-Cola to get rid of nits and eggs. First, wash your hair and then saturate it with an entire two-liter of coke. Then wrap your hair in a shower cap and let it dry overnight. Be cautious when using this method as the acidity from the product can cause your scalp to burn.
3. Nausea Cure
Soda isn’t considered the best medicine for an upset stomach, but it’s actually a quick and straightforward remedy that can help settle the stomach after vomiting. Usually, flat cola or ginger ale is preferred. Although it contains a high sugar content, Cola has been used as an anti-nausea cure long before the use of it in soda. Most people will have a glass of Cola followed by medicine and other liquids with electrolytes. The use of soda alone shouldn’t be used to treat nausea if it is severe. But it is an easy solution for a smooth fix.
2. De-skunk
Let’s face it; the smell of skunk is disgusting and almost impossible to clean! Whether it’s on your skin or your clothes, the smell can be sickening. If your dog or cat got skunked, don’t fret because Coca-Cola can fix it in a cinch! But adding a can of the fizzy soda to a tub of water along with some detergent can help break down the stench and makes the smell less revolting. Cover your pet from head to toe with the drink and wait several minutes before rinsing off. Afterward, you can also soak them in tomato sauce as well before cleaning them in the shower.
1. Pesticoke?
Some farmers in India have used the bubbly drink as a substitute for pesticides for pest dissolution. The Center for Science and Environment is one of the leading voluntary organizations in India claims that carbonated drinks like Coca Cola contain high amounts of pesticide remnants, so growers have used it because of cheaper costs compared to conventional pesticides. The drink has actually been tested by the CSE, and in 2003, evaluated samples from 12 soft drink industries discovered that all of them consist of four toxic insecticides and pesticides, including DDT and lindane. However, the Coca-Cola company has criticized the CSE’s data, but if it works, then hey, why not, right?!
