20 Surprising Uses Of Tomato Sauce
If you thought ketchup was just for meals, think again! These handy tips and tricks show just how versatile ketchup really is.
Shine your copper with ketchup
If your copper cooking pans or jewelry are starting to tarnish, paint them like new by massaging them with ketchup and watching it melt away the tarnish.
Hair restoration after swimming in chlorinated water
Repair any chlorine damage to your curls by rubbing in some ketchup and leaving it on for about 20 minutes.
Decorate your home with ketchup bottles
Once you've dried your ketchup bottle, why not rinse it out and use it as a storage box for sequins or craft items? They make great paint tools as the grandkids also paint and act hard hoping to stop any accidental knocks and spills on your ice cream carpet. Glass bottles can also make a small homemade vase for a lovely bouquet.
Make pancakes with a bottle of ketchup
Bake a neat batch of hot cakes using a ketchup bottle to squeeze your batter into the pan.
Replacement nozzle
Struggling to master a pipe tube? Use a cream-filled ketchup bottle instead, as you add the final flourishes to cupcakes and showstopper cakes.
Fake blood for you
If your little ones are heading to a fancy dress party or enjoy playing practical jokes, a splash of ketchup makes fake blood brilliant. Be careful because ketchup can leave stains on clothes.
Make an easy ice pack
Freeze the small packets of ketchup you have in restaurants and cafes for instant ice packs to numbing and soreness.
Make tomato sauce curry
It may sound explosive but adding a tablespoon or two of ketchup to the chicken tikka masala recipe helps add a bit of real sweetness.
Eliminate the smell of foxes in the house
Has your dog rolled in something and left behind the fox's stench? Soak their clothes or anything with their fur in the wash and ketchup for half an hour before washing.
Use ketchup as a sauce
Tomato sauce makes a great base in a recipe. Add onions, vinegar, water and Worcestershire sauce and then soak in steak or chicken for 8 hours for a delicious dinner.
Brighten up dull jewelry with ketchup
Ketchup can be great for a simple cleaning trick. Make tarnished silver rings, bracelets or earrings shine again by dipping them in a bowl of ketchup for a few minutes before rinsing and drying. Be sure not to leave them there for too long.
Non-toxic finger paint
If you have an adventurous kid in the house who likes to put things in his mouth, use ketchup as an alternative to finger painting with real things.
Do a natural, natural exfoliant
Collecting your face with ketchup may sound like a step too far but it works as a great exfoliator when you add a tablespoon of it to three packets of fake sugar. Rinse and enjoy the new smooth feeling on your face.
Make brown sauce from tomato sauce
Out of brown sauce? Make your own by adding brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the ketchup.
Remove tarnish from your car
As with metal jewelry, you can remove tarnish from metal car parts, such as wheel alloys, by rubbing with ketchup.
Add tomato sauce to Bolognese or chili con carne
A little ketchup might be just the ticket to creating the perfect mince. Just add it while you are cooking.
Cocktail sauce recipe
Make a great tiger prawn cocktail sauce by combining ketchup, Worcester sauce, horseradish, and lemon juice.
Soothe insect bites with ketchup
Sounds crazy, but it's worth a try! Next time you're bitten at a barbecue, just dip some in red - the salt content will soothe your itch.
Remove rust from garden furniture
Rusty garden chair? Pop in a little ketchup and the rust will wash away easily.
Use ketchup as shaving cream
Yes, it doesn't smell great, but if you find yourself getting caught in shaving cream, ketchup is a safe alternative and can be used on legs, underarms, or even face.