Everyone knows soda is a delicious pick-me-up. Most people don’t know that soda is much more than just a tasty carbonated beverage. Yup, it works like magic in many situations.
Chances are, you’re probably chugging down a bottle of pop at this very moment. And honestly, we don’t blame you. Something about that fizz is impossible to resist.
Now pause for a second, and look at the carbonated beverage in your hand. This little fella is a lot more versatile than you think it is. Though we primarily use soda as a source of hydration, its uses (and benefits) go far beyond a quick energy boost.
We know it sounds too good to be accurate, but hear us out! We’ve conducted extensive research for all of you soda lovers. If you’ve got an extra fizzy drink lying in the fridge, read this blog to find out what else you can do with it!
8 Creative Uses for Soda
Water Your Plants
Okay, before you roll your eyes at us, let us explain! Believe it or not, soda can do wonders for your plants. And there’s research to back it up, too!
According to a 2002 study by the University of Colorado Boulder, club soda can have extraordinary effects on plants. So if you want to see your precious babies bloom and grow like never before, you need to check this out!
Here’s what went down. Over ten days, a group of scientists monitored and analyzed the effects of club soda on a plant named Helzine soleirolii. To conduct the study, they watered one group of plants with regular water and one with club soda.
To make the experiment fair, the researchers gave both groups the same food, fertilizer, and access to sunlight. When the ten days were over, the results were evident.
Like the experimenters had anticipated, the plants watered with club soda grew twice as quickly as those in the other group. On top of that, they were also a healthier, more beautiful shade of green. Isn’t that amazing?
Before the experiment, the researchers hypothesized that the soda’s nutrients would significantly boost plant growth. And needless to say, they were 100% right. Here’s why.
Carbonated beverages are a unique bunch. These delicious drinks are loaded with these essential nutrients:
- Carbon
- Hydrogen
- Oxygen
- Potassium
- Sulfur
- Sodium
- Phosphorus
And clearly, plants can’t get enough of them.
Of course, you can also find these nutrients in regular water, but club soda has a more potent dose of essentials. If you think about it, the drink is practically supercharged! The nutrients go straight to the roots of the plant.
Isn’t this the most astonishing discovery of all time? If you run out of water someday and urgently need to water your plants, you can use the extra sodas in your pantry to catalyze growth. Who would’ve thought?
Before you grab a bottle of pop (A+ for enthusiasm), keep in mind that the results won’t be as great if you use a flavored beverage like Coke.
The thing is, the excessive sugar in the drink feeds the microorganisms in the soil. And to put it simply, the roots just can’t absorb the sugar water.
So if you want incredible growth and green foliage, your best bet is to water your garden with club soda. Get ready to become a proud plant parent! Just make sure you don’t go overboard.
Remove Rust
Let’s face it. The cursed reddish-brown coating of iron oxide is a real bummer. And if you have any objects made of iron or iron alloys like steel at home, you know what we’re talking about.
Luckily, there’s good news. What if we told you your favorite carbonated beverage, Coke, is a solid rust remover?
It’s true! You don’t need to search the depths of the Internet for effective rust removal remedies. The answer to your prayers is the soft drink in front of you.
Okay, we know it sounds a little strange, but it works! And if you’re wondering what it is about soda that works like a charm, the answer is simple: phosphoric acid.
The truth is that phosphoric acid effortlessly removes rust from ferrous metals. By bonding with the rust to create iron III oxide and water, this acid gets rid of the devil like a pro.
And the best part? It’s a lot easier than you think. If you have a small rusted object, fill a container with Coke and submerge your item in it. After letting the object rest for 24 hours, wash off the leftover residue. And voilà! There you have it: an object as good as new.
If your object is larger (like a bathtub), don’t panic. Soak a sponge in some soda and begin to scrub the relentless stain. The outcome will surprise you!
And because we love you (and soda) so much, we’ve got another method for you to use, too! Grab a piece of crumpled aluminum foil, dip it in some Coke, and start removing the rust from any chrome item. Because the foil acts as an abrasive, you’ll begin to see results quicker than you can say soda!
Incredible, isn’t it? Next time you see rust take over one of your precious belongings, you don’t have to scramble to find an expensive rust remover. The kryptonite for rust is right here.
Because soda doesn’t contain as much phosphoric acid as a commercial cleaner, it’ll understandably take a bit more time to get the job done. But for what it’s worth, it’s a great life hack.
Remove Gum From Your Hair
If we’re being honest, one of the worst feelings in the world is having gum stuck in your hair. If you’re in this position, you’re probably panicking and wondering if you’ll have to cut your beautiful locks.
Lucky for you, we come bearing good news. We know it’s hard, but the most important thing to do now is to remain calm. One can of soda is all you need to bring your hair back to its original condition.
Yes, you heard that right! The gum might be stubborn, but there’s nothing that carbonated goodness can’t fix. Get a bottle of chilled soda, and put it on the gum-affected section of your hair. Leave it there for a short while, and let the soda do its thing.
This little trick will help you remove the gum easier than ever before. Seriously. It’ll slide right out—so don’t worry! You won’t have to run to the barber and chop off your hair. We promise.
Bake a Cake
Who doesn’t love cake? We know we sure do! It might sound a little ridiculous, but soda, particularly Coke, makes the dessert taste 10x better.
Something about the carbonated beverage makes the cake even more moist, light, and sweet than usual. It contributes to a special texture, and we can’t get enough of it!
Mix Coke with some cocoa and butter, and add it to your flour for the cake of a lifetime. And if you want to kick things up a notch, here’s what you should do. Bring the beverage to a boil, let it cook, and stir in some butter and cocoa. Throw in some confectioner’s sugar, and voilà! You’ve got yourself the icing on the cake (quite literally).
This recipe will leave you begging for seconds, take our word for it. The tenderness and flavor are going to dazzle you!
Create Jell-O
Did somebody say Jell-O? Ah, something about this fun snack always hits us with nostalgia. It reminds us of summer vacations and happy times; honestly, we think that’s beautiful.
You’ve probably had regular Jell-O your whole life, but have you tried making it with soda? Believe us when we say it’s an absolute game-changer.
All you have to do is use soda as a substitute for water in the Jell-O recipe. From Sprite to Coke, the possibilities are endless, so feel free to use the beverage of your choice.
We highly recommend trying this recipe out! It’s quick, easy, and delicious. What’s not to love?
Defrost Your Windshield
If there’s one thing we hate about winter, it’s the icy windshield that comes with it. It’s all fun and games until it’s impossible to see anything properly.
Thankfully, there’s a way out! Believe it or not, soda defrosts your windshield and makes things crystal clear again.
Simply pour a can of soda, particularly Coke, on your windshield, and wait a few minutes for it to work its magic. Just ensure you wipe it correctly when you’re done, and avoid getting the drink on the paint.
If you live in a warmer climate (lucky), you don’t have to worry about this problem. But here’s the thing: you can still use the soda on your windshield to remove grime and bugs.
Make a BBQ Sauce
Yum. Nothing cheers us up like BBQ night. And today, we’re here to tell you all about the best BBQ sauce recipe in the world.
Typically, the sauce includes a sweetening agent like sugar or molasses. But who needs sugar when you have Coke? Believe us when we say this tried-and-tested ingredient will change everything.
It’s easy. Combine the soda with Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and some other seasonings. And after that, just simmer the mixture and enjoy! You’ll be in awe of how the soda’s sweetness enhances the sauce’s flavor.
Ribs, pork, and chicken wings just found their new favorite companion.
Conduct the Mentos and Coke Experiment
Have you ever seen those fascinating Mentos and Coke geysers all over the internet? When we were kids, this was our favorite science experiment. And all these years later, we’re still huge fans.
It’s simple. Grab a handful of Mentos, and toss them in a bottle of Coke. This simple trick will lead to a massive eruption that’ll send the drink flying everywhere!
To put it simply, the carbon dioxide gas in the soda is dying to escape, but most of the bubbles remain in place due to the surface tension of the water. When it comes in contact with the Mentos, something explosive happens (literally).
Basically, the mints have a rough surface with thousands of microscopic craters. These tiny pores serve as nucleation sites, which are places for bubbles to grow. The overall role of the surface here is to break the bond between CO2 and water and create that iconic geyser.
When dropped in soda, Mentos plays the role of a surfactant, which means it reduces surface tension. Because it is such a large surfactant, it naturally causes more bubbles to rise to the surface. Boom!
Technically, this experiment doesn’t have a proper use or benefit. But hey, it’s a lot of fun, and you even learn cool things along the way! And sometimes, that’s all that matters.
7 Things You Can Clean With Soda
As if watering plants and defrosting windshields wasn’t enough, soda is also the undisputed king of cleaning and removing stains!
Something about those little carbonated bubbles does a fantastic job erasing annoying stains. And if you think about it, this theory makes sense. Plus, the proof is in the pudding! A bunch of DIY hacks and experiments later, we can confirm that soda is an excellent cleaner.
Also, remember phosphoric acid? This compound excels at removing grease and grime from household items. On top of that, the acid is widely known for eliminating mineral deposits and hard water stains. In short, you can’t go wrong with it.
If you’re wondering what you can clean with soda, we’ve got you covered.
Toilet Bowl
Is the sight of your toilet bowl grossing you out? Have you run out of your go-to toilet cleaner? There’s no need to panic! The solution is simple: pour a can of soda into the bowl. Don’t question it. Just let it sit for an hour or overnight, and scrub it before you flush. Before you know it, your bathroom will look like it belongs in a TV commercial! Trust us.
Grout
Is the moldy tile grout in your bathroom bringing a frown to your face? If the answer is yes, don’t worry! Soak an abrasive sponge in soda, scrub your heart out, and rinse with water. You’ll be in awe of the results. Take our word for it! The fizzy magic works like a charm every single time.
Grease Stains
Let’s talk about grease, shall we? We’ve all encountered grease stains on our clothes at some point, and we all know just how expensive stain removers can be. Luckily, there’s an easy way out! All you need to do is pour soda directly on the fabric and scrub gently.
And if you want another solution, pour some soda (along with detergent, of course) into the washing machine and run through a regular cycle. Boom! Problem solved.
Blood Stains
Speaking of stains, this carbonated beverage can also remove blood stains. Whether we like to admit it or not, things like nosebleeds and other minor accidents are a part of life. So if you find yourself in one of these situations, we recommend using the same method we shared in the paragraph above. One laundry cycle later, you’ll never be able to tell the stain was there!
Coins
Maybe you’re a passionate coin collector. Maybe you just like making sure everything is sparkly clean! Either way, fizzy beverages are incredible at polishing your coins and leaving them as good as new. All you need to do is soak them in a glass or bowl of soda. A few hours should do the trick, but feel free to let them rest overnight. Before you know it, the coins will be shining!
Jewelry
We don’t know about you, but we take our jewelry very seriously. And honestly, can you blame us? Nothing spices up an outfit like some sparkle! And if you’re like us, you probably want to polish your gems, too. To do that, just leave your accessories in a bowl of soda, and throw in some detergent.
Pots and Pans
Have your pots and pans seen better days? If so, we know what will restore their condition! The key is to pour a can of soda into them and let it simmer for a couple of hours. We’ve heard people even bring the fizzy drink to a boil sometimes. By the time you’re done, any burns will simply vanish.
As you can see, the list is never-ending. You might have a closet full of special cleaners and fancy products, but the secret weapon is the unassuming fizzy drink in your fridge. There’s nothing this beverage can’t tackle. Take our word for it.
Conclusion
Soda is pretty versatile for a drink with such a questionable reputation! Be honest. Aren’t you amazed after discovering how many things it can do?
We’re all used to consuming these tasty treats for pleasure, but it’s about time we start utilizing their full potential. Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to stop drinking them. But if you have an extra bottle lying around and you’re in the mood to experiment, there’s no reason to stop yourself.
Sodas can accomplish any task from removing unsightly stains to creating delicious foods. Seriously. We’re just as impressed as you are.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab some soda from your fridge or pantry and start experimenting! The possibilities are never-ending.
