Brightening silver
While the lady of the manor might blanche at you dolloping low-class ketchup on her precious silverware, it in fact has some remarkable results. Apply ketchup to a cloth, rub it on the silver, rinse thoroughly, and buff for a finish even shinier than many dedicated silver-cleaning products.
Shoe shine
Did you know that you can use ketchup as a homemade shoe shine ingredient? Apply a small amount of ketchup to a cloth and use it to shine leather shoes as you would with any off-the-shelf product. The acidity of the ketchup is especially helpful in breaking down ingrained dirt.
Pet hair remover
If you’re a pet owner, you know just how difficult it can be to keep pet hair off your furniture. Thankfully, there’s a solution: dab a small amount of ketchup onto a cloth or sponge and use it to remove pet hair from upholstery or clothing. The sticky texture of the ketchup helps lift the hair off the surface, and its slightly acidic nature discourages cats from re-hairing your upholstery!
Tomato facial mask
The next time you’re putting together a homemade face mask, consider using ketchup as a key ingredient! Due to its natural acidity and antioxidant properties, ketchup helps to reduce redness and gently exfoliate the skin. Apply a thin layer of ketchup to clean skin, leave it on for a few minutes, and then rinse thoroughly. You might feel like a Big Mac in the short term, but it’s worth it.
DIY fake blood
Fake blood is a must-have tool in any Halloween fanatic’s arsenal, but stores charge ludicrous seasonal prices for what’s effectively red water. Instead, mix ketchup with a small amount of chocolate syrup or red food coloring to create a homemade fake blood that’s unsettlingly realistic.
Rust removal
Got a rusty car part that just won’t budge? Apply some ketchup to the affected area and let it sit for a few hours. The natural acidity of ketchup can help break down rust, making it easier to then scrub away with a brush or sponge.
Slime ingredient
Ketchup can be incorporated into homemade slime recipes, adding a unique texture and color to the mixture. Combine ketchup with other slime ingredients like glue, borax, or corn starch for a fun sensory activity. Just make sure that your ingredients are, like ketchup, safe to be handled by children.
Fertilizer booster
Due to its tomato content, ketchup can be used as a fertilizer booster for tomato plants or other plants that benefit from extra nutrients. Do note that it’s very important to dilute the ketchup before applying to the soil. This both ensures that the pH alignment of the soil is maintained and lowers the risk of attracting pests like ants and greenflies.
Removing stains
Ketchup stains are among the most stubborn you’ll find – but did you know that ketchup itself can be effective in removing certain stains? Ironically, these include those caused by tomato-based sauces, as well as by ink and lipstick. Apply a small amount of ketchup to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wash as usual.
Conditioning hair
Some people believe that the acidity in ketchup can help remove product buildup from hair. Apply a small amount of ketchup to damp hair, leave it on for a few minutes, and then rinse thoroughly. Your hair should have a beautiful, glossy look – though it might smell a little of tomatoes…
Cleaning dishes
Food leftovers can take on a consistency akin to concrete once they dry, making it a nightmare to do the dishes. If you’re struggling to clean last night’s plates and pans, smother them with ketchup, leave them for half an hour while the acid works on the food particles and then give them a good scrub.
Making marinades
Next time you’re making a marinade, try adding a generous squirt of ketchup. The natural acidity from the tomatoes will work on the meat as it cooks, breaking down its fibers and leaving you with levels of juicy tenderness that you wouldn’t have dreamed possible.
Restore hair to its blondness
If you have blonde hair, there’s a good chance at some point you’ve experienced the horror of it turning green after a dip in a pool. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not chlorine that’s responsible, but rather the copper found in anti-algae products. If your precious locks have taken on a greenish hue, wash them thoroughly ketchup and warm water.
Get copper shining
Copper kitchen utensils and home appliances are all the rage these days, but the metal has an unfortunate tendency to tarnish. To restore copper’s luster, simply lather it with some ketchup, leave it on for around 20 minutes and then thoroughly wash it off with lukewarm water.
Get splatted bugs off your car
Bugs frequently splat on the grills, headlights and windshields of cars, and their remains quickly harden. To get tough-to-clean insect carcasses off your car, apply ketchup and allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes. Then get to work with a gently wetted brush, and you’ll find they come off with minimal effort.
Use the bottle for a vase
Glass Heinz ketchup bottles have a wonderfully distinctive shape, and they can be great for decorating your home. Once you’ve used all the ketchup, wash the bottle out thoroughly and then soak it in warm water until the label comes off. You can then use it much like you would a vase; this works particularly well with dried flowers.
Adding umami to dishes
Umami is one of the five basic tastes, and arguably the most coveted, especially in Asian cuisines. Many chefs turn to MSG to inject some umami into their dishes, but much the same result can be achieved with ketchup, which is naturally high in umami-providing glutamic acid.
Use the bottle to make pancakes
Pancakes are undoubtedly one of the best ways to start the day, but making them can be an irritatingly messy endeavor. To save yourself from having to wipe batter off every surface in your kitchen, load the mixture into an empty ketchup bottle, allowing you to squirt it into your pan with precision. Just make you thoroughly wash the bottle, no one needs ketchup flavored pancakes.
Get rid of the smell of fox
As many dog owners will know, there are few smells as unholy as fox urine. If your pooch has been out rolling in fox pee, thoroughly rub ketchup into their fur before giving them a good wash. You can also use ketchup to get the smell out of any of your clothes that your dog has transferred the scent to.
Make jewelry shine
If you’ve got some jewelry that’s lost its sparkle, fully submerge them in a bowl of ketchup for a few minutes before carefully rinsing them off. A word of caution, however: don’t leave your jewelry in ketchup for too long, as the acid from the tomatoes can eventually damage the metal.
Use the bottle to decorate cakes
Much like with pancake batter, empty ketchup bottles can be used to precisely apply icing to cakes, making decorating a breeze. Thoroughly cleaning the bottle is of even more importance here, however; while a slight tomato tang could possibly be forgiven in a pancake, it definitely couldn’t in a birthday cake.
Use it for finger paint
Ketchup provides a great way to let your toddler express their creativity without having to worry about them accidentally ingesting toxic substances. Just set up a canvas, give them a pot of the bright red condiment and watch as their inner artist emerges. Just make sure you put down some towels beforehand.
Clean brass candlesticks
Brass candlesticks are a surefire way to add class to a special occasion, but they tend to dull over time as they accumulate soot. As with other metals, brass can be easily cleaned by applying a little ketchup, giving it a vigorous rub and then rinsing it clean with warm water.
Turn it into brown sauce
If you’re ever in need of brown sauce but discover you’ve run out, you can make some out of ketchup in a few simple steps. All you need to do is squirt some ketchup into a bowl, add brown sugar, garlic powder, mustard, paprika, vinegar and salt and pepper, and give it a good mix.
Clean the wheels of your car
Your car’s wheels tend to get seriously dirty over time, with a thick layer of soot and grime building up on the alloys. While this can be difficult to scrape off, a bit of ketchup will make your task significantly easier. Simply spread a thin layer of the condiment over your alloys before giving them a good rub with a sponge.
Use it as shaving cream
If you ever find you’ve run out of shaving cream, you can use ketchup as a safe substitute; granted, it’s a bit of a messy solution, but it’s a solution nonetheless. As well as providing an option you can be sure won’t harm your skin, ketchup also has exfoliating properties, so it might just improve your complexion at the same time.
Make mini icepacks
Those little sachets of ketchup you frequently get with takeaway fast-food meals make for handy little icepacks, since the ketchup never fully freezes, making them moldable. Simply throw a few sachets in the freezer for the next time you or one of your loved ones picks up a minor knock.
Cooking chicken
Ketchup is the perfect accompaniment for chicken, but it can also be used in the cooking process itself. Whether you’re cooking chicken in the oven, barbecue or pan, try coating it in a thin layer of ketchup first to increase caramelization, add a hit of sweetness and ensure the meat is nice and tender.
Get labels off jars
If you’re trying to repurpose an empty glass jar but struggling to get the label off, you can turn to ketchup for a helping hand. Spread a layer of the condiment over the label, give it 15 to 20 minutes to work its magic and then wipe it off. The ketchup will have weakened the adhesive, meaning the sticker will come off with ease.
Use it to treat zits
Tomatoes contain a powerful antioxidant called lycopene that can reduce skin inflammation. This antioxidant doesn’t get destroyed when tomatoes are turned into ketchup, making the condiment ideal for treating zits. Just dab a little directly on to the blemish, leave it for a few minutes and wash it off.
Clean your sink
Your kitchen sink is regularly exposed to food scraps, dirt and all manner of grimy substances. Understandably, this abuse tends to leave visual marks over time. To make cleaning your sink considerably easier, lather it up with ketchup, give it an hour or so for the condiment to work its magic, and then go over it with the rough side of a sponge.
Treat minor burns
Believe it or not, but ketchup can actually soothe minor burns, reducing the pain and cooling the damaged skin. This works especially well if you keep your ketchup in the fridge. This should only be attempted with minor burns, however, and serious cases should of course be immediately evaluated at the emergency room.
Make bowling pins
If you’ve always dreamed of having your own personal bowling alley, but don’t have the space or budget, you can get halfway there with ten empty ketchup bottles. Simply fill the bottles with rice or sand, and you’ve got yourself a set of functional bowling pins.
Remove water stains
Water stains are unsightly blemishes that can quickly build up on taps and glass shower cubicles, and they are notoriously difficult to clean. Fortunately, ketchup can make short work of water stains thanks to its natural acids, which break down the minerals that form the blemishes, allowing them to be wiped away with ease.
Clean cast iron pots and pans
Cast iron pots and pans come with a whole host of benefits, including their extreme durability and ability to enhance flavor. However, a major downside to cast iron cooking utensils is the difficulty involved in cleaning them. Once again, ketchup provides an easy solution, with the condiment quickly stripping away burned-on food.
Reduce your risk of cancer
Antioxidants have the ability to neutralize free radicals – harmful compounds that can cause cellular damage – which is why cancer-fighting foods tend to be high in them. Lycopene, the main antioxidant found in ketchup, seems to be particularly effective in this regard, with studies suggesting that regular consumption could reduce cancer risks by up to 34 percent.
Clean stainless steel
True to its name, stainless steel is incredibly resistant to marks and blemishes. Over time, however, even stainless steel can begin to fade and tarnish. To get it looking brand new again, cover it in a thin layer of ketchup and gently scrub it with a soft-bristled brush and plenty of water.
Make burger sauce
No barbecue would be complete without burger sauce. While commercial offerings tend to be packed full of nasty ingredients and tons of added sugar, it’s incredibly easy to make your own at home. Simply combine ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, black pepper, dried garlic and a small dash of vinegar, and give it a vigorous stir.
Polish chrome faucets
Chrome faucets instantly add some flashiness to a kitchen or bathroom, but they can quickly lose their sparkle. To return them to their resplendent former glory, lather them up with ketchup and wipe them down with a wet cloth. Just make sure you get it all off, otherwise the acid could leave permanent marks.
Soothe bug bites
Scratching bug bites is a great way to end up with an infection, but the maddening itchiness can make it hard to resist the temptation. Fortunately, ketchup’s high salt content means it can soothe insect bites in no time at all; just apply a small dab as soon as you realize you’ve been bitten.