If you thought tomato sauce was just for meal times, think again!
These handy hacks and tips show just how versatile ketchup really is.
Shine your copper with tomato sauce
If your cooking pans or copper trinkets are starting to dull, shine them up like new by massaging them with ketchup and watching it dissolve away the tarnish.
Restore your hair after a chlorine swim
Repair any chlorine damage to your locks by rubbing in some ketchup and letting it set for about 20 minutes. Be sure to swill it out thoroughly afterwards though!
Decorate your home with ketchup bottles
When you’ve run your ketchup bottle dry why not wash it out and use it as a storage container for glitter, sequins or craft items?
They make great paint dispensers for when the grandchildren are painting too and the squeezy action hopefully prevents any accidental knocks and spills spoiling your cream carpet. The glass bottles could also make a small homemade vase for a lovely bunch of flowers.
Make pancakes with a ketchup bottle
Bake a neat and tidy batch of steaming hot pancakes by using a ketchup bottle to squeeze out your batter mixture into the pan.
Alternative icing nozzle
Struggle to master a piping tube? Use a ketchup bottle filled with icing instead when you’re adding the final flourishes to your cupcakes and showstopper bakes.
Fake blood for the kids
If your little ones are heading to a fancy dress party or like playing practical jokes, a splash of tomato ketchup makes brilliant fake blood. Just be careful how gruesome you get with it as ketchup can leave stains in clothes.
Make an easy ice pack
Freeze the small packs of ketchup you get in restaurants and cafes for instant ice packs to numb aches and pains.
Make a ketchup curry
It might sound crackers but adding a tablespoon or two of ketchup to a chicken tikka masala recipe helps add a real kick of sweetness.
Get rid of dog smells in the house
Has your dog been rolling in something they shouldn’t and left the house smelly? Give their fur and any clothing that may be carrying the smell a ketchup wash and then leave it to soak in for half an hour before washing off.
Use tomato ketchup as a marinade
Ketchup makes a great base in a recipe. Add to onion, vinegar, water and Worcestershire sauce and then soak on steak or chicken for 8 hours for a delicious dinner.
Brighten up tarnished jewellery with ketchup
Tomato sauce can be great for simple cleaning tricks. Make tarnished silvery rings, bracelets or earring shine again by dunking them in a bowl of ketchup for a few minutes before rinsing and drying.
Be sure not to leave them in there too long though as it may do more damage than good.
Make non-toxic toddler finger paint
If you have an adventurous toddler in the house who loves putting things in their mouth, use ketchup as an alternative to finger painting with the real stuff.
Make a free, natural face scrub
Lathering up your face with tomato sauce might sound a step too far but it does work as a great exfoliator when you add a tablespoon of it to three packets of fake sugar. Wash it off well and enjoy that new silky smooth feeling on your face.
Make bbq sauce from ketchup
Run out of brown sauce? Make your own by adding brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper to ketchup.
Remove tarnishes from your car
Just like with metal jewellery, you can remove tarnishes from metal car parts, such as wheel alloys, by giving a good rub with tomato sauce.
Add ketchup to Bolognese or chilli con carne
A dash of tomato sauce can be just the ticket for making the perfect mince dish. Just add it in while you’re cooking.
Cocktail sauce recipe
Make an amazing prawn cocktail sauce by combining tomato ketchup, Worcester sauce, horseradish and lemon juice.
Soothe insect bites with tomato sauce
Sounds bonkers, but it’s worth a try! Next time you get bitten at a BBQ, just dab on some of the red stuff – the salt content should soothe your itches.
Remove rust from garden furniture
Rusty garden chairs? Pop on a bit of ketchup and the rust will easily wash away.
Use ketchup as a shaving cream
Yes it doesn’t smell great, but if you find yourself caught short for shaving lotion, tomato sauce makes a safe alternative and can be used on legs, armpits or even the face.
