Alka-Seltzer has been around since 1931 and is famous as a medication. It was originally introduced to the world by Miles Laboratories and, some say, used by many as a hangover remedy.
Of course, what we usually think of when Alka-Selzer comes to mind, is the way the tablets fizz when they’re dropped in water. That’s when Alka-Seltzer’s effervescent tablets release their active ingredients to calm an upset stomach or heartburn.
But our experts have found some other uses for these interesting bubbly tablets. These nine uses may work quite well for you, and often in the most unexpected places. So, here’s our list for you to try them out. Check out these strange but useful cleaning ideas we’ve found for Alka-Seltzer.
1) Cleaning the Toilet Bowl
If you drop a couple of Alka-Seltzer tablets into your toilet, you may be amazed at how well they can act as a cleaner. Wait about 20 or 30 minutes, then brush and flush and the stains will disappear. The citric acid in the tablets, along with the effervescent action in the water,.will leave your toilet bowl gleaming. It’s likely the results might be much better than you might have thought they’d be.
2) Bathroom Tiles
Alka-seltzer tablets can also be used for cleaning the tiles in your kitchen and bathroom. Just dissolve 4-5 tablets in about 10 ounces of warm water and, after the tablets have dissolved completely, pour the mixture into a spray bottle. The result is a great homemade tile cleaner that works great!
3) Tea and Coffee Stains
Those tea and coffee stains that build up over time on your cups and mugs won’t normally disappear with regular washing. Here’s where Alka-Seltzer tablets can work their magic by making stain removal easy. To make your tea and coffee cups look as good as new again, fill each one with hot water, and then drop an Alka-Seltzer tablet into the water. Leave it there for about 15 minutes and then, give the inside a quick scrub. Empty the water out, and you’ll be amazed at the results!
4) Cleaning the Coffee Maker
Alka-Seltzer can be a boon for coffee lovers because it’s really effective at cleaning coffee makers. Mix up a solution of 3 or 4 Alka-Seltzer tablets in about 10 ounces of water. Pour the solution into your coffee maker and run it through a complete cycle. All those hard-to-reach areas on the inside will be cleaned like never before. Next, run the brewer through a couple of additional cycles. This will clear out any residue. You’ll find your coffee tastes like it did when you brewed your first cup.
5) Unclogging a Drain
You’ll be able to get quick relief from a clogged or sluggish drain when you drop in a couple tablets of Alka-Seltzer. Add a cup of vinegar and let the mixture do its magic for five or ten minutes. Meanwhile, put a pot of water on the stove and bring it to a boil. After the fizzing stops, pour the boiling water down into the drain to clear out the pipes of any remaining residue. If the drain is still running a little slow, repeat the process again. Not only will the drain become unclogged, but there shouldn’t be any unpleasant drain odors coming from the kitchen.
6) Cleaning the Floors
Alka-Seltzer also makes a great floor cleaner. Add about four or five tablets to a bucket full of warm water and your homemade floor cleaner will be ready to go. Dip your mop into the mixture and you’ll find it’s a very effective substitute for the chemical-laden cleaning agents you might have previously used.
7) All-Purpose Cleaner
Why stop at doing the floors? If you can use Alka-Seltzer to clean your floors, it can work just as well on other surfaces too. Try adding a couple of tablets in about six ounces of warm water inside a spray bottle. Let the tablets dissolve, and your new home-made all-purpose cleaner is ready to clean everything from tubs, plastic, marble, and glasses to practically every other surface in your home.
8) Add Shine Back to White Clothes
Lots of times your white-colored garments will begin to have a yellow tint. Removing the stains can often be difficult. Yes, it’s Alka-Seltzer to the rescue again! Soak your whites in a solution made with two Alka-Seltzer tablets added to about four quarts of water. Let the fizzing subside, then add the garments, and let them soak overnight. Next morning, hang them outside under the sun and you’ll be amazed when the yellowness is gone. Your clothes will be as white as new again!
9) Deodorizing Your Refrigerator
Although baking soda is the time-tested go-to product for deodorizing your refrigerator over time, if you’ve got an immediate problem, think of Alka-Seltzer to do the job. Just drop a tablet into a glass of water and set the glass inside your refrigerator for about half an hour. In almost no time at all, your fridge will no longer have the smell you needed to go away. If there’s even a hint of the odor left, drop a second tablet into a fresh glass of water. Wait for the fizzing to stop, and then dip a sponge or cloth into the mixture and wipe the interior sides of the fridge to complete the process.
Be sure to let us know if you’ve been successful in trying out any of these ideas using Alka-Seltzer as a cleaner in your home. We’d love to hear from you! And if you have any comments or suggestions about any other home cleaning subjects you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear from you.
If you live in the Chicago metro area and would like to learn more about our home cleaning services, and how we can help you maintain a safe and healthy living environment, please give us a call. Our number is 708-599-7000. Or, contact us online for a free house or office cleaning consultation.
