30 Coke Uses You Never Knew About

Apart from drinking and satisfying your cravings, there are many things coke could do that work brilliantly. You may also have heard that coke is surprisingly good at cleaning things.

Well, you’re not wrong. But there are many more useful things coke could do and after this article, you could be stocking up your coke!

1. Clean a Toilet Bowl

The acidity in Coke helps break down stains, limescale, and grime, leaving your toilet sparkling clean. Simply pour it around the rim, let it sit for a while, scrub with a toilet brush, and flush. It’s an easy, budget-friendly solution for a quick clean!

2. Fertilize Plants

Coke can be used to fertilize plants thanks to its sugar content, which feeds beneficial microbes in the soil. The acidity helps in breaking down organic matter, making nutrients more accessible to plants. However, use it sparingly and dilute it with water to avoid harming your plants with excess sugar or acidity.

3. Clean Eyeglasses

Coke can be used to clean eyeglasses in a pinch due to its mild acidity, which helps dissolve dirt and grime. Simply pour a small amount onto the lenses, gently rub with your fingers, rinse thoroughly with water, and dry with a soft cloth. Be sure to rinse well to remove any sticky residue.

4. Tenderize Meat

Coke is an effective meat tenderizer due to its acidity and carbonation. The acid breaks down tough protein fibers, while the sugars add a subtle sweetness. Marinate the meat in Coke for a few hours before cooking to achieve a tender, flavorful result.

5. Loosen Rusty Bolt

Coke can help loosen a rusty bolt thanks to its phosphoric acid content, which breaks down rust. Simply pour Coke over the bolt, let it sit for a few minutes to penetrate the rust, and then try loosening the bolt. It’s a quick and handy solution for stubborn rust!

6. Window Cleaner

Spray some Coke on your windows to cut through grime and dirt, thanks to its acidity. After letting it sit for a moment, wipe it down and follow with a water rinse to remove any sticky residue. You’ll be left with sparkling clean windows!

7. Bug Control

Coke can be a handy tool for bug control. The sugary liquid attracts insects like ants, while its acidity can harm them. Simply pour some Coke in a shallow dish or around problem areas to help keep bugs at bay.

8. Gum Removal

Coke is surprisingly effective for removing gum thanks to its acidic properties. Simply soak the gum-covered area in Coke for a few minutes. The acid will break down the gum’s sticky texture, making it easier to peel away. Afterward, you can gently scrape off the gum, leaving the surface clean.

9. Dish Washer

Coke is a surprising ally in the dishwasher, where its acidity helps to break down tough grease and grime. Adding a bit of Coke to your dishwasher load can enhance the cleaning process, leaving your dishes cleaner and shinier.

10. Defroster

Coke’s carbonation and acidity make it a surprisingly effective defroster. By pouring Coke over frozen surfaces, the ice begins to break down as the acid works to dissolve it and the carbonation helps to lift it away. This method is especially useful for melting ice on driveways, sidewalks, or even car windshields. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to tackle icy conditions.

11. Compost Invigorator

Unleash Coke’s hidden talent as a compost catalyst. Its unique blend of sugars fuels microbial activity, while carbonation improves oxygen flow. Phosphoric acid aids in breaking down stubborn materials, and caffeine gives a jolt to helpful bacteria. Your plants will thrive on this cola-boosted compost.

12. Coin Polisher

Revitalize your coin collection with the surprising polish of Coca-Cola. This common soft drink’s acidity cuts through years of tarnish and discoloration. Its fizzy nature helps loosen embedded dirt from even the tiniest engravings. Give your coins a Coke spa treatment for a cost-effective, impressive shine.

13. Paint Remover

Coke: the DIY enthusiast’s secret weapon for paint removal. This everyday beverage contains mild acids that eat through multiple layers of old paint. Its effervescence works to penetrate and lift paint from various surfaces. A Coke soak can make stripping furniture or prepping walls for repainting surprisingly easy and chemical-free.

14. Oil Remover

Tackle oil stains with the surprising cleaning properties of Coca-Cola. This common soft drink’s acidity penetrates and breaks down oil bonds. Its fizzy nature helps loosen adhered oil from concrete, fabrics, or metal surfaces. Give your toughest cleaning projects a Coke treatment for a cost-effective, less toxic approach to oil removal.

15. Sepia Photo Finisher

Discover Coke’s unexpected talent as a sepia photo finisher. Its unique blend of caramel coloring and acids creates a warm, vintage tone on photographs. Simply soak your prints in diluted Coke for a few minutes, then rinse and dry. Watch as your modern snapshots transform into nostalgic, sepia-toned masterpieces with rich, amber hues.

16. Lawn Care

According to Wise Bread, mixing Coca-Cola with a few surprising ingredients can work wonders for your lawn. Combine a can of cola, a can of beer, and ½ cup each of liquid dish soap, household ammonia, and mouthwash to create a lawn-boosting cocktail. The soap helps the mixture soak into the roots, while the ammonia encourages lush growth, keeping your lawn green and vibrant.

17. Help an Upset Stomach

While there’s no solid scientific proof that Coca-Cola or other colas can soothe an upset stomach, many people still swear by it as a remedy. However, researchers from the University of Athens have found that Coca-Cola can help with stomach blockages. Its chemical composition is similar to gastric acid, aiding in the digestion of stubborn fibers. To stay safe and avoid injuries at home, take precautions against falls, and keep your cola chilled by ensuring your refrigerator is in good working order.

18. Clean Tile Grout

Coca-Cola’s cleaning magic even works on tile grout! Just let the grout soak in some Coca-Cola for a few minutes, then wipe it away for a refreshed look. For more great tips on cleaning and whitening grout, be sure to check out our top grout-cleaning tips.

19. Body Lotion

Mixing a spoonful of Coca-Cola with your regular lotion can give your skin a silky, smooth finish.

20. Remove Marker Stains

Coca-Cola can work wonders on permanent marker stains and pen marks. Just soak the stain in Coke, give it a good scrub, and watch the marks disappear. For furniture stains, consider using a stain marker, and if you’re dealing with marks on the wall, learn how to properly prep walls for painting.

21. Glaze a Ham

Add a touch of sweetness to your ham by using a couple of cups of Coca-Cola, as recommended in a recipe from Lake Geneva Country Meats in Wisconsin. To make the cooking process smoother, start by cleaning your oven thoroughly before preparing the ham, and if your oven isn’t heating properly, check out tips on how to adjust its temperature for perfect results.

22. Get Rid of Hiccups

Everyone has their own remedy for hiccups, and each person seems to have their own unique solution. One interesting trick is to gargle with Coca-Cola—some people find it surprisingly effective in stopping those pesky hiccups.

23. Polish Old Jewelry

Put Coca-Cola’s acid to work on your mother’s jewelry to restore its shine and luster. Many people swear by Coca-Cola as an effective jewelry cleaner. Once you’ve polished up those treasures, discover the best spots to safely hide jewelry around the house.

24. Sore Throat Healer

Some folks swear by Coca-Cola as a home remedy for soothing a sore throat, with others adding lemon and ginger for extra relief.

25. Remove Glue

Using Coca-Cola to remove glue is a handy trick. Whether dealing with floor adhesive or stubborn super glue, Coca-Cola can help break down the glue’s properties and save you some money along the way.

26. Prevent Clogs

Coca-Cola can serve as a handy quick fix for clogged drains due to its acidic properties, which are effective at breaking down grime and debris.

27. Heat Water

Here’s a clever way to repurpose an old Coca-Cola can: turn it into a solar water heater. While the process can be a bit intricate, it’s a fantastic eco-friendly project that gives new life to your cans and helps you go green in multiple ways.

28. Clean Mold and Mildew from Clothes

Adding Coca-Cola to your washing machine might seem unusual, but when combined with regular laundry detergent, it can help tackle mold and mildew on clothes. It’s also quite effective at removing stains and grease.

29. Hair Curler

Lady Gaga brought attention to using Diet Coca-Cola cans as hair curlers in her “Telephone” video. While the practicality of this method may be up for debate, it’s a fun and inventive idea if you’re looking for a unique Halloween costume accessory.

30. Blood Stain Cleaner

Over the years, people have claimed that Coca-Cola can effectively clean blood stains. Mythbusters put this to the test and found that cola does indeed help in removing such stains.