13 Surprising Uses for Ketchup Around the Home

Ketchup is a versatile condiment that most of us keep stocked in our refrigerators. While this tomato-based sauce is most often used for french fries, burgers, and hot dogs, ketchup has many surprising uses around the home beyond just a burger topping.

Read on to learn 13 clever ways to use ketchup beyond the dining table. With these helpful ketchup hacks, you can clean, shine, repair, and remove stains with an item you already have on hand.

Eliminate Tarnish from Copper Items

Copper pots, pans, mugs, and plates can develop an unsightly tarnish over time with use and exposure to air. Rather than using a special copper cleaner, you can make them look shiny and new again with the help of ketchup.

Tomato ketchup contains mild acids that will help break down the oxidation that causes copper to tarnish. Here’s how:

Apply a generous amount of ketchup onto a soft cloth.
Gently rub the ketchup over the surface of the copper item using circular motions.
Allow it to sit for 2-3 minutes so the acids can work.
Rinse and dry the copper to reveal its freshly polished surface.

Repeat as needed for heavily tarnished items. The acids in ketchup provide a safe yet effective cleaner to get your copper items looking beautiful again.

Clean Up Rust Stains

Along with copper cleaning powers, ketchup can also remove stubborn rust stains from metal surfaces like wrought iron furniture and stainless steel grills. The acids in ketchup work to dissolve and break down rust.

To remove rust stains:

Apply ketchup liberally over the rust stains.
Let it sit for at least 15 minutes. Overnight is even better for really set-in stains.
Use a soft cloth or brush to gently scrub away the rust and ketchup mixture.
Rinse thoroughly and dry.

The acids and natural enzymes in ketchup will lift the rust away safely and effectively. With a little time and elbow grease, ketchup can make rust stains disappear.

Restore Brass to its Original Shine

Similar to copper and steel, brass can also lose its shine and develop dark spots or oxidation over time. Before reaching for specialized brass cleaner, try using ketchup to clean and brighten up tarnished brass items around your home.

The vinegar content in ketchup helps dissolve tarnish and bring back the original shine and luster of brass objects. Follow these steps:

Apply ketchup to a soft, clean cloth.
Gently rub the ketchup over the tarnished brass object using small circular motions.
Allow it to set for 2-3 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.

Repeat as needed for heavily tarnished brass until its original brilliance is restored. Ketchup offers a chemical-free and inexpensive way to clean brass naturally.

Remove Grease and Grime from Pots and Pans

If you have baked on, caked on grease or foodresidue in pots, pans, and bakeware, reach for the ketchup rather than harsh chemical cleaners. The vinegar in ketchup helps dissolve grease and grime, while the thicker tomato paste helps scrub it away.

Here is an easy cleaning method:

Coat the bottom of the dirty pan or pot with a thick layer of ketchup. Really cover and coat the stuck-on bits.
Allow the ketchup to sit for at least 20 minutes so it can soak in and break down the grease.
Use a sponge or brush to gently scrub the ketchup around the bottom and sides of the pan.
Once the mess has lifted, rinse the pan thoroughly.
If needed, do a second ketchup application for really stubborn grease.

The natural solvents in ketchup offer a chemical-free way to tackle baked on food spills for clean and shiny pans again.

Make Chrome Shine

Over time, chrome bathroom or kitchen fixtures like faucets can lose their shine and appear dull or spotted from mineral deposits in water and daily use. For a quick chrome refresh, ketchup provides an easy cleaning solution.

To restore the shine to chrome:

Apply ketchup onto a soft cloth or paper towel.
Wipe a thin layer of ketchup gently over chrome surfaces.
Allow it it to sit for 1-2 minutes.
Wipe clean with a new cloth and rinse away any excess ketchup.
Buff dry with a clean soft towel for gleaming chrome.

The mild acids in ketchup will dissolve mineral deposits and oxidation to bring back chrome’s reflective shine without heavy scrubbing or chemical cleaners. With repeated use, ketchup can keep chrome looking its best.

Eliminate Odors from Hands

If your hands still smell like onions, garlic, or fish even after washing up with soap and water, ketchup provides a quick odor removal trick. The vinegar in ketchup helps absorb and cut through lingering food odors.

After thorough hand washing, apply a small dollop of ketchup to your hands like lotion and rub it in for 30 seconds. Rinse with running water and follow up with a mild soap if desired. The smells should disappear.

You can also do a ketchup hand scrub after cooking with strong spices like curry. It beats having food smells lingering on your hands all evening.

Remove Stains from Silverware

Ketchup’s acidity makes it great for cleaning tarnish off silverware and jewelry. Follow this simple process:

Apply a small amount of ketchup onto each silver item that needs cleaning.
Rub the ketchup gently over the surface with a soft cloth, coating evenly.
Let the ketchup sit for 2-3 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean soft cloth.
Check for any remaining tarnish spots and repeat process as needed.

The vinegar cuts through tarnish, while the tomato paste acts as a gentle scrubber to restore silver to its shiny glory. Ketchup offers a chemical-free and natural silver cleaning method.

Eliminate Water Stains on Wood Furniture

White rings and stains left by wet glasses can damage and discolor wood furniture over time. Before the stains have a chance to set in, grab the ketchup to help remove them.

Thanks to the gentle acids, ketchup can break down and dissolve the minerals in water stains on wood. Follow these steps to remove:

Apply a small amount of ketchup onto the water stain using a soft cloth.
Let it sit for 2-3 minutes to allow the ingredients to work.
Wipe away gently, rubbing in direction of wood grain.
Rinse the area with clean water and dry thoroughly with a soft towel.
Repeat as needed for stubborn stains.

Ketchup offers a quick way to erase water marks from wood before permanent damage occurs.

Boost the Cleaning Power of Soap

For extra cleaning strength when washing greasy, dirty items, add a dollop of ketchup to your dish soap. The vinegar in ketchup helps cut through grease and grime.

To make grime-fighting ketchup soap:

Add 1-2 tablespoons of ketchup to a few squirts of liquid hand or dish soap.
Mix together thoroughly until blended.
Apply the ketchup-soap mixture to sponges, brushes, or directly onto dirty dishes and surfaces.
Scrub and clean as usual, allowing the ketchup extra time to penetrate stains.
Rinse thoroughly.

The added acidity and thickness of ketchup gives regular old soap a bit more cleaning power for dirty pots, pans, and other messes.

Clean Up Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew can develop in hard-to-reach spots in the bathroom such as tile grout, caulk, and shower tracks. Before reaching for toxic chemical sprays, try using ketchup to removeexisting mold and help prevent future growth.

The vinegar in ketchup helps kill mold and mildew. To clean with ketchup:

Apply a thick layer of ketchup directly onto moldy areas like tile grout lines or shower tracks.
Allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes. Longer is better for thicker mold.
Scrub with an old toothbrush and rinse clean.
Dry thoroughly to discouraged new mold growth.
Repeat weekly in prone areas to kill mold and clean grout.

Thanks to its acetic acid content, ketchup provides a non-toxic way to remove existing mildew and discourage future growth.

Remove Crayon Marks from Walls

When the creativity strikes little artists, crayon masterpieces often end up on the walls. Before you paint or use harsh chemicals, try ketchup to remove crayon scribbles and marks from painted walls and wallpaper.

The vinegar in ketchup will help dissolve and loosen the wax and oils in crayons to make removal easier. Follow these steps:

Apply a generous amount of ketchup directly onto the crayon marks.
Allow to sit for at least 3-5 minutes for the ketchup to penetrate.
Use a sponge or soft-bristled brush to gently scrub the area, rubbing the ketchup into the crayon.
Wipe away the excess ketchup and rinse the wall with clean water.
Check for any remaining crayon residue and repeat the process as needed.

The ketchup provides a safe and effective way to remove crayon while avoiding damage to delicate wallpaper or paint.

Loosen Rusty Bolts and Parts

Before reaching for risky chemicals, rely on ketchup’s acidity to help loosen up rusty bolts, screws, and other stuck metallic parts. The vinegar works to dissolve oxidation and free up the bindings.

To loosen up a jammed rusty bolt or screw:

Soak the area with plenty of ketchup, ensuring you coat the entire stuck bolt and affected areas.
Allow to sit for at least 10-15 minutes. For heavy rust, soak for up to an hour.
Wipe away any excess ketchup once time has passed.
Try gently loosening the bolt or screw using a wrench or screwdriver. The part should now be movable thanks to the ketchup.
Repeat the ketchup-soaking process if any stubborn areas remain stuck.

With patience, ketchup offers a safe alternative to free up stiff rusty bolts, screws, nuts, and other parts around the home.

Remove Stickers and Price Tags

Sticky residue left behind from price tags, stickers, and labels can be a tricky mess to remove. Rather than scraping or risking damage to surfaces, let ketchup come to the rescue.

The tomato paste acts as a gentle dissolving agent to soften the glue, while the vinegar helps further break it down. Here is a simple method:

Apply a liberal amount of ketchup directly onto the sticky residue you want to remove.
Allow to sit for at least 3-5 minutes for the ketchup to soak in and loosen the glue.
Gently scrape away the residue using your finger, a soft cloth, or an old credit card. The sticker should peel away after sufficient ketchup-soaking time.
If any sticky areas remain, reapply more ketchup and let sit longer before trying again.
Once removed, wash the surface with soap and water to remove excess ketchup.

Ketchup offers a safe adhesive remover for delicate surfaces where harsher solvents could cause damage. Let ketchup’s natural enzymes tackle the sticky stuff.

Clean Up Chrome and Stainless Steel

In addition to cleaning chrome fixtures, ketchup can also help remove grime and water spots from stainless steel kitchen appliances and surfaces. The mild acid removes oxidation and provides a gentle clean.

Follow this process for clean and spotless stainless steel:

Apply a small amount of ketchup onto a soft cloth.
Wipe a thin layer over the surface of stainless steel fixtures, appliances, or countertops.
Allow the ketchup to sit for 1-2 minutes.
Wipe away with a clean soft cloth, scrubbing gently as needed.
Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean towel.

Repeat regularly to maintain clean and polished stainless steel surfaces around your kitchen. Ketchup offers an inexpensive and safe cleaning method.

Remove Scuff Marks from Floors

Ketchup isn’t just for walls and countertops. It can also help erase scuff marks from hard flooring such as vinyl, tile, sealed hardwoods, and laminate flooring. The vinegar works to gently dissolve the scuff while the paste lifts it away.

Use this process for fresh scuff marks on floors:

Apply a small amount of ketchup onto the scuff and spread to cover it evenly.
Allow 1-2 minutes for the ketchup to penetrate the mark.
Use a soft brush or cloth to gently scrub and wipe away the ketchup mixture.
Rinse the floor with clean water and dry thoroughly.
Repeat as needed for stubborn scuff marks.

Ketchup offers a quick floor cleaning trick for fresh scuffs before they have a chance to really set in and stain.

Frequently Asked Questions About Using Ketchup Around the Home

Ketchup is clearly more than just a condiment and has many helpful uses for cleaning and repairs around the home. Here are answers to some common questions about using ketchup in new ways:

What makes ketchup an effective household cleaner?

Ketchup contains a mix of ingredients that enable it to cut through dirt, grease, rust, and tarnish. Specifically:

Vinegar: The acetic acid in vinegar dissolves mineral deposits, removes oxidation, and kills mold and mildew.
Tomato paste/tomato: The thicker consistency provides gentle scrubbing power and helps remove stains. Tomatoes also contain citric acid.
Sugar or corn syrup: Adds thickness to cling to surfaces for cleaning.
Seasonings: Ingredients like onion and garlic contain enzymes that help dissolve food particles and other messes.

Together these components make ketchup an effective and natural cleaning solution.

Does it matter what type of ketchup I use?

It’s best to use a thicker, sugar-based ketchup rather than thin or low-sugar varieties for cleaning purposes. Popular regular and organic brands work well. Avoid specialty ketchups that alter the traditional ingredient balance.

How long does ketchup need to sit when cleaning?

For most cleaning uses, allow ketchup to sit for 1-5 minutes to give the ingredients time to work. For tougher jobs like removing rust or mold stains, overnight application works best.

Does ketchup leave a stain if left on surfaces?

If left for prolonged periods, ketchup can stain porous surfaces like raw wood, grout, or fabrics. Try to wipe away excess after the minimum sitting time. If any staining appears, immediately rinse and reapply ketchup to help lift it off surfaces.

Can ketchup be used on all surface types?

Avoid using ketchup on marble, granite, or other delicate stone surfaces as the acids may etch the finish. Test ketchup first in an inconspicuous spot to ensure compatibility with any sensitive surfaces.

Does homemade ketchup work as well as store-bought?

Homemade ketchup can be used for cleaning but may not have the same intensity of vinegar and thickness of tomato paste as commercial varieties. For best results, purchase a name brand ketchup. Or add more vinegar to homemade recipes.

Conclusion

Hopefully these tips have convinced you to view ketchup as more than just a burger topping in your refrigerator. With its acidic and abrasive properties, tomato ketchup offers an effective and affordable household cleaner.

Best of all, you avoid exposure to harsh chemical fumes and ingredients. Next time a cleaning predicament arises, reach for the ketchup before anything else.

Keep ketchup close at hand for its multitude of uses beyond the kitchen table. Ketchup provides a safe, economical, and handy way to clean and restore many household items and surfaces.