We all know ketchup as a classic topping for fries, burgers and maybe the occasional scrambled eggs, but this tangy red condiment can do a lot more than add flavor to your dinner. From cleaning and polishing to helping with personal care fixes, ketchup can do so much more than just top your food.
Put ketchup to work around the house. From marks on walls to getting your BBQ ready for the summer season, this condiment comes in handy in several ways.
Removing crayon marks
If your little artist has gone wild with crayons on the walls, ketchup can come to the rescue. Simply dab a little on a cloth and gently rub it over the crayon marks. The ketchup will help dissolve the waxy crayon residue without damaging the paint. Wipe with a clean cloth afterward, and your walls will be crayon-free — until the next masterpiece appears.
Cleaning cloudy glassware
Do your glasses have that annoying cloudy haze from hard water? A little ketchup can help. The ketchup’s acidity can break down the minerals causing that foggy film. Just rub a bit on the glass, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse and wash as usual. Your glassware will look shiny in no time.
Cleaning grill grates
Grilling season is great, but cleaning those greasy, grimy grates after cooking? Not so much. Enter ketchup. The acidity helps break down the grease and grime buildup. Slather the grates with ketchup, let it sit for about 15 minutes, then scrub away with a grill brush. Your grates will be ready for the next barbecue.
Degreasing pots and pans
Dealing with greasy pans can be a pain. Thanks to its acidic properties, ketchup can act as a degreaser. Spread a bit of ketchup on the greasy surface, let it sit and then scrub it off. It’s a weird but effective way to cut through that stubborn grease.
Cleaning stainless steel appliances
Stainless steel is sleek and stylish — until it’s covered in smudges and fingerprints. Ketchup can help you bring back that glossy shine. Apply a little ketchup to a cloth and rub it on your sink, stainless steel fridge or oven after cooking your favorite casserole. Wipe it off with a damp cloth, and enjoy the streak-free finish.
Cleaning toilet bowls
One of the more surprising uses for ketchup is cleaning your toilet bowl. If you’ve got stubborn hard water stains, ketchup’s acidity can help break them down. Simply squirt some ketchup around the bowl, let it sit for about 15 minutes, then scrub as usual. Your toilet will be sparkling clean — and you’ll have a fun story to tell.
Spooky makeup
Dressing up the kids for Halloween or a school play? In a pinch, ketchup can look like blood, and it’s much easier to find if it’s out of season for spooky makeup products.
“When my children were younger, we would use ketchup as blood on Halloween costumes. I know the movie pros use red dye and Karo syrup but that was too sticky and hard to clean up,” Leah Ingram, owner of Bagels and Lasagna, shares.
Ketchup for polishing
Forget burgers and hotdogs; discover the surprising power of ketchup as a simple and effective solution for polishing most of the metal around your home. From tarnished copper pots to dull aluminum cookware, this condiment can bring back the shine in no time.
Polishing tarnished metal
Got a dull-looking brass candlestick or copper pot that’s seen better days? Ketchup’s acidity can work wonders in bringing back the shine. Just dab a bit of ketchup on the tarnished metal, rub it in, let it sit for a few minutes and then buff it off. It’s a simple — and slightly weird — hack, but it works.
Shining chrome fixtures
If your bathroom or kitchen fixtures have lost their sparkle, ketchup can come to the rescue. It’s great at getting rid of water spots and fingerprints on chrome. Apply a small amount to a cloth, rub it onto the fixture and then wipe away with a damp cloth. You’ll have shiny, gleaming faucets in no time. Who knew ketchup could replace your fancy metal polish?
Polishing aluminum
If you’ve got aluminum items like bike frames or baking pans that have gone dull, ketchup is a quick fix. Rub some on, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub it off with a sponge. Your aluminum will return looking as good as new with no elbow grease required.
Rust removal: Ketchup’s hidden talent
Ketchup is an effective rust remover. Skip the expensive products and snag your favorite brand of America’s favorite condiment and put it to work around your home.
Loosening rusty bolts and screws
If you’ve ever tried to loosen a rusty bolt or screw, you know it can be frustrating. Before you reach for the WD-40, try smearing a bit of ketchup on the rusted area. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, wipe it away and voila — the rust should break down, making the bolt or screw easier to loosen.
Cleaning rusty tools
Got old, rusty garden tools? Don’t toss them out just yet. Give them the ketchup treatment. Spread a generous amount over the rusty surface, let it sit for a while and then scrub the rust off with steel wool. Rinse with water, and your tools will look ready for another round in the garden.
De-tarnishing license plates
Car license plates can develop rust over time, especially if they’ve weathered a few rough winters. You guessed it — ketchup can help. Just spread it over the rusty spots, let it sit and then scrub it off to reveal shiny-looking plates.
Ketchup for personal care
Ketchup doesn’t just taste great on top of your favorite fast food sandwich — it can also work wonders on your body. Here are three ways to use ketchup for personal care.
Repairing chlorine-damaged hair
If you’ve ever spent too much time in a pool, you know that chlorine can leave blond hair with a greenish tint. Ketchup, with its acidic nature, can neutralize those unwanted tones. Massage ketchup into your hair, let it sit for 15-20 minutes and then rinse it thoroughly. Your hair will return to its normal shade, and no one will know your secret.
Soothing bug bites and sunburn
Feeling the sting of a sunburn or a pesky bug bite? Ketchup’s cool, slightly acidic nature can offer temporary relief by gently rubbing it on the affected area, leaving it for a few minutes and rinsing it off. Tamara Tsaturyan of Thriving In Parenting says, “During one of my son’s school camping trips, I forgot to remind him to pack his bug bite itch relief cream. When he got bitten by a mosquito, one of the teachers suggested using ketchup on the bite to help with the itching, and he said it worked really well.”
Skunk smell relief
Did your dog have a smelly encounter with a skunk? A bit of ketchup can go a long way to remove the smell of skunk spray.
“In our family, it was common knowledge that slathering on thick tomato ketchup was the go-to remedy for getting rid of the skunk spray oils and that unmistakable skunk smell. Sure, it was messy, but Grandma swore by it,” says Gina Dickson of Intentional Hospitality, who grew up on a farm.
Unleash the power of ketchup
Who knew ketchup could be such a jack-of-all-trades? From polishing metal to removing rust and even cleaning your toilet bowl, this humble condiment is more than just a hotdog’s best friend. The next time you’re stuck with a tricky cleaning task, reach for that bottle of ketchup in your pantry — you might be surprised by what it can do. Just don’t forget to save some for your fries and burgers.
Jennifer Allen is a retired professional chef and long-time writer. Her writing appears in dozens of publications, and she has two cookbooks, “Keto Soup Cookbook” and “Keto Diabetic Cookbook and Meal Plan.” These days, she’s busy in the kitchen, developing recipes for various publications and traveling, and you can find all her best recipes in Retro Recipe Book.