13 Unexpected Ways to Use Alka-Seltzer

Who knew Alka-Seltzer could do more than just relieve pain?!

Check out 16 unexpected ways to use Alka-Seltzer around your home:

 

1. Clean coffee or tea stains in mugs and cups.

Drop a tablet into water, and let the coffee- or tea-stained mug soak overnight. The citric acid along with the baking soda will loosen those tough stains.

You can also use Alka-Seltzer tablets to clean your coffeemaker or Keurig! Fill the water chamber of your coffee machine with water and two tablets. Let the tablets dissolve, and run the coffeemaker through. Once the Alka-Seltzer water has done its job — run water through it again before making coffee.

 

2. Unclog or deodorize drains.

Crush up and drop four Alka-Seltzer tablets down any sink drain in your home, followed by a cup of white vinegar. Allow that to sit for about 10 minutes, then rinse with a pot of boiling water.

Doing this on a regular basis helps keep your drains clear, thanks to the citric acid — and also deodorizes the drain, thanks to the baking soda.

 

3. Clean (most) jewelry.

If you need to clean your diamond ring or any other jewelry (other than pearls or opals), just place the pieces in a bowl with warm water, and drop in two tablets. Let it soak for 20 minutes.

 

RELATED: 14 Ring Cleaning Hacks You Can Do Yourself with Household Items

 

4. Clean your toilet.

Drop two tablets into the toilet, wait 20 minutes, scrub, and flush. The citric acid in the tablets helps loosen grime in the toilet.

After cleaning, the bowl should be clean, shiny and deodorized.

 

5. Cure a UTI infection.

If you think it may be the beginning of a UTI, take two Alka-Seltzer tablets with water. Many people have had almost immediate relief (note: Alka-Seltzer contains aspirin as the main ingredient).

 

6. Sooth itchy or sore insect bites.

Drop two tablets in warm water, and soak a cotton ball in the solution. Place the cotton ball on the bite for 30 minutes for relief.

 

7. Deodorize your smelly fridge.

For a clean, fresh-smelling refrigerator, drop an Alka-Seltzer tablet in a cup of water, and leave it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

If there is still a smell in the refrigerator, then wash down the inside of the refrigerator with another Alka-Seltzer tablet in water. The baking soda should eliminate any smells.

 

 

8. Remove stain from plastic containers.

Got spaghetti sauce stains on your plastic containers?

Simply fill your container with warm to hot water, and (depending on the size) drop one or two tablets into the water. Let sit for 30 minutes, and the stains will disappear before your eyes.

 

9. Brighten your white clothes.

To get rid of dingy yellow color on white cotton, soak your whites in a solution of a gallon of warm water and two Alka Seltzer tablets. Then hang your whites in the sun to dry to get rid of any lingering stains.

 

RELATED: 23 Best Home Cleaning Hacks of All Time

 

10. Deodorize your smelly cooler.

Coolers can get super smelly after a few uses. Fill your cooler with an inch of water, and drop in a couple tablets. Let it sit for an hour, and wipe down the sides with a rag.

Smells will be eliminated, thanks to the baking soda.

 

11. Clean a narrow-necked bottle, vase or thermos.

For those difficult-to-clean vessels with narrow necks, and hard-to-reach surfaces, drop two Alka-Seltzer tablets in, add hot water, and swish around until the tablets are dissolved. Let sit for an hour. Rinse the solution out, and your container will be good as new.

The bubbles the tablets produce help with the cleaning process.

 

wp_ad_camp_2]

 

12. Use as an all-purpose cleaner.

Put three tablets in eight ounces of warm water, and let them fizz away. Once the fizzing stops, dip a sponge in the water, or fill up an empty spray bottle to clean counters, tile and tubs.

 

13. Use as floor cleaner when you mop.

Drop five tablets in the sink with about a half gallon of warm water, and use this to mop your floors.

UP NEXT: 24 DIY Bathroom Cleaning Essentials