13 Creative Uses for Ketchup Beyond Your Plate

1. Loosen Burnt-on Food From Cookware

Struggling with stubborn burnt-on food in your pots and pans? Apply ketchup to the problem areas and let it sit overnight. The acid in ketchup will help break down the grime, making it easier to clean the next morning.

2. Shine Copper

Revive tarnished copper cookware by covering it with ketchup for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse it clean, and you’ll witness its original shine restored.

3. Eliminate Rust From Your Cast-Iron Skillet

Cast iron skillets can accumulate rust over time. Remove rust by applying ketchup, letting it sit for 15 minutes, and then scrubbing with a Brillo pad or wire brush. You may need to re-season the skillet afterward.

4. Remove Bugs Stuck on Car Headlights

Pesky bugs stuck on your car’s headlights? Apply ketchup to the affected areas for 15 minutes, scrub with a brush, and rinse to reveal clean headlights.

5. Shine Car Rims

Give your car rims a makeover without spending on detailing. Spread ketchup over the rims, let it sit for 15 minutes, wipe with a cloth rag, and rinse to reveal shiny rims.

6. Restore Tarnished Jewelry

Make old jewelry shine again by rubbing ketchup over it, letting it sit for 15 minutes, and then rinsing and wiping it clean.

7. Buff Brass or Silver

For a quick shine on brass or silver fixtures and accessories, apply ketchup, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, and wipe clean.

8. Restore Rusty Outdoor Furniture

Remove rust spots from outdoor furniture by applying ketchup to the affected areas and leaving it on for about 30 minutes before wiping clean.

READ HERE: 15 Delicious Ways to Transform Stale Bread

9. Use as a Mini Ice Pack

Reuse ketchup packets from takeout orders by freezing them to create miniature ice packs. They’re great for minor injuries that require a flexible ice pack.

10. Remove Green Tint From Blond Hair

Neutralize a greenish tint in blond hair caused by chlorine pools by applying ketchup for 30 minutes (preferably wrapped in a shower cap), then rinsing and shampooing.

11. Create Fake Blood

Enhance your Halloween costume with DIY fake blood made from ketchup and corn syrup, mixed with cocoa powder for a realistic look.

12. Soothe Insect Bites

Ease itchiness from bug bites by applying a dollop of ketchup to the affected area.

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13. Use It In a Facial Scrub

Create an exfoliating facial scrub with ketchup and sugar packets from restaurants. The acidity in ketchup helps exfoliate, while the tomato’s antioxidants soothe inflammation.

Bonus: Reuse the Bottle

Repurpose an empty squeezable ketchup bottle by filling it with pancake mix for mess-free pouring or with paint for kids’ craft projects.

Unlock the Versatility of Ketchup

From household cleaning to beauty hacks, ketchup proves to be more than just a condiment. Try these creative ketchup uses and make life easier in surprising ways. Experiment with this common and inexpensive staple and discover its hidden potential beyond the dinner plate.