This $3.80 ‘unlikely’ grocery staple can restore your tarnished drains

We've all been there - the never-ending struggle to keep our homes clean without breaking the bank. We try to save money where we can, but unfortunately, cleaning supplies can really add up.

And it's not just the cost that concerns us, it's also the potential impact on our health.

After years of using chemical-based cleaning products, it's no wonder many of us are worried about the long-term effects on our health. That's why we started to look for alternatives that are not only cheaper but also safer.



Members, we’re happy to reveal that in the search for a natural cleaner, we’ve found something amazing - a simple kitchen ingredient that's been hiding in plain sight all along!

Who would have thought that tomato sauce, a staple in most of our pantries (or fridges), could be the answer to our toughest cleaning problems? Say goodbye to discoloured bathroom drains, dingy sinks, and taps with just a squirt of this magical solution.


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One homeowner recently shared her clever trick for tackling discoloured drains - with a very unlikely purchase. Credit: Facebook.



It may sound too good to be true, but we promise it's not! We know how frustrating it can be to spend a fortune on cleaning supplies only to be left with disappointing results. So why not give this budget-friendly and safe alternative a try? Your wallet and health will thank you.

But how does it work, exactly?



An Aussie homeowner recently shared the cleaning trick on a local Facebook group, and here's what they suggest you do:

1. First, take some tomato sauce and squirt a good amount over the stained area of the drain.

2. Let the sauce sit for one to two hours without touching it.

3. After the time has passed, take a cloth and wipe away the tomato sauce. Then, wash the area with water.

4. For more stubborn marks, you may need to use a light scouring tool to remove the remaining dirt.

It might seem too simple to work, but many people have tried this trick and have been surprised by the results. So why not give it a go and see if it works for you?


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The acidity of tomato sauce can be used to remove certain stains and discolourations. Credit: Unsplash/Ashkan Forouzani.



The woman explained that despite trying all sorts of products to remove the unsightly black discolouration around her shower drain, she was yet to find anything that worked. Then she remembered the viral tomato sauce hack circulating social media and decided to give it a go.

After just one hour after using a standard bottle of MasterFoods tomato sauce on the drains, her ordeal was over - and she only had to scrub a tiny portion of the build-up using a scourer!

Naturally, these incredible results left many of her fellow avid cleaners surprised and excited to learn how this common condiment could work such magic.



Tomato sauce is not typically used for cleaning, as it is a food product and may actually leave stains if applied to certain surfaces. However, many people believe that the acidity of tomato sauce can be used to remove certain stains, like tarnished drains, or even odours. (Just don’t go rubbing it on your shirt.)

Here are a few other examples:


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Copper kitchenware can be cleaned with tomato sauce due to its acidic properties. Credit: Pexels/samer daboul.



Copper kitchenware

Due to the acidic properties of tomato sauce, it can be used to clean copper kitchenware and remove tarnishes. Here’s how:

First, apply a liberal amount of tomato sauce to the copper kitchenware, either by pouring it directly onto the surface or applying it with a soft cloth. Then use a soft-bristled brush or a sponge to scrub the tomato sauce into the copper, paying attention to tarnished or dirty areas.



Let the tomato sauce sit on the copper for about 10 to 15 minutes. After that, rinse the copper thoroughly with warm water. Dry it with a soft, clean cloth.

If the copper kitchenware is heavily tarnished, you may need to repeat this process several times to get the desired result. You can add a small amount of salt or baking soda to the tomato sauce to create a more abrasive paste for tougher stains.

After cleaning the copper, you may want to apply a copper polish to help maintain its shine and prevent future tarnishing.


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Over time, cooking utensils, outdoor furniture, and garden tools can develop little rust spots which can affect their usefulness. Credit: Unsplash/Salah Ait Mokhtar.



Rust on metal

Small rust spots can develop on kitchen utensils, outdoor furniture, and garden tools over time, causing them to look unsightly and possibly even impairing their function. Fortunately, there is a simple and effective solution to this problem: tomato sauce.

Apply a generous amount of tomato sauce to the rusted area, completely covering the affected surface. Let the sauce sit on the rusted area for a few hours or overnight - the longer it sits, the more time it has to break down the rust.

Use a soft-bristled brush or a sponge to scrub the rusted area, being careful not to scratch the metal surface. You can also use a clean cloth to rub the rusted area. Then, rinse the metal thoroughly with water and dry it with a clean cloth. If the rust is still visible, repeat the process until it is completely removed.



It's important to note that tomato sauce may not be effective on all types of rust or all types of metal. You may need to try other rust removal methods or consult a professional if the rust is particularly stubborn or the metal is valuable.

After removing the rust, you may also want to apply a rust inhibitor or a rust-resistant coating to the metal to prevent future rusting.


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Plastic containers and dishes used to keep or serve food can develop stubborn stains over time. Credit: Pexels/Nataliya Vaitkevich.



Plastic containers or dishes

Plastic containers and dishes are often used to store or serve food, and over time, they can develop stubborn stains that can be difficult to remove with regular washing. In some cases, tomato sauce can be a useful tool for removing these stains - the acidity can help to break down and dissolve the stains on the plastic surface.

Start by applying a small amount of the sauce directly to the stain. Keep in mind to use only a small amount of tomato sauce, as too much can leave behind a residue that is difficult to remove. Allow the tomato sauce to sit on the stain for a few minutes, giving it time to work its magic.



After a few minutes, use a soft-bristled brush or a sponge to scrub the stain, working in a circular motion to loosen and lift the stain from the plastic. Once the stain has been lifted, rinse the plastic container or dish thoroughly with warm water, and then wash with soap and water as you normally would.

While tomato sauce can be effective at removing some stubborn stains from plastic, it may not work on all types of stains. If the stain is particularly stubborn, you may need to try other methods or seek the advice of a professional cleaner.

Also, tomato sauce should not be used on plastic items that are not food-safe or on plastic items that are prone to staining or discolouration.

Aside from cleaning tarnished drains, you can use tomato sauce to clean-.jpg

We've all been there - scrubbing away at stubborn stains and feeling like we're getting nowhere.

That's why this simple trick using tomato sauce is a welcome addition to our cleaning arsenal. With just a few easy steps, you can get rid of those pesky stains and restore your surfaces to their former glory!

Members, we hope you've found these tips useful and that they make your cleaning routine a little easier. If you have any other cleaning tips and tricks to share, please feel free to let us know in the comments below.

After all, we're all in this together and helping each other out is what this community is all about.
 
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Why can’t you just say ‘try this genius hack’ and leave off the bit about how it is taking the internet by storm???? These stupid comments are just not necessary and I get so annoyed at them!
 
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Reactions: Zemo and Big G
Tomatoes, yes. Other acidic foods; yes too... lemon juice, vinegar, BUT DO NOT USE LIQUID ACIDS that are specifically labelled/called acids AT ALL
 
Why can’t you just say ‘try this genius hack’ and leave off the bit about how it is taking the internet by storm???? These stupid comments are just not necessary and I get so annoyed at them!
HEAR, BLOODY HEAR! I, too, am sick and bloody tired of the come-ons that are displayed in the SDC pages, the "must-haves" and the "virals" and the "ravings" and the "shockeds" and the "terrifieds". Completely unnecessary, but doesn't it drag the gawpers in?
 
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Reactions: SandyM
Honestly, does it really matter, a very small thing to get so up tight about.If this is all you have to worry about you should be eternally grateful for having such an easy life.
There's a lot of people out there with far worse things to worry about.
 
Worked for us ... an old pair of scissors that lived in our shower for a long time, rusted to buggery and were about to be tossed (but we never got around to it), became bright as new after three or fours of "soaking" in a tomato sauce bath and a few scrapes with a plastic scouring sponge.
 

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