Five surprising uses for ketchup - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

MonarC · 05-02-2009, 03:24 PM

Five surprising uses for ketchup

Whether you enjoy ketchup with fries or -- like some Americans -- a few fries with a boatload of ketchup, there's no denying the ubiquity and popularity of the distinctive red condiment. Ketchup has been satirized, politicized (W Ketchup anyone?) and considered for reclassification as a vegetable. Many folks can't even agree how it should be spelled (catsup or catchup perhaps?).

We're guessing we're not the only ones who squirrel away unused packets of ketchup in desks and cabinets after a quick meal on the go. (Or who have aging, half-empty bottles of the stuff crammed in the back of the fridge.) And since we hate to waste things here at The Daily Green, we got to thinking about ways to creatively reuse extra ketchup -- we mean besides the obvious choices of making recession ketchup "pizza" or "spaghetti." Shudder…...

By the way, wonder what's in ketchup? Typically tomato concentrate (duh), the ubiquitous corn syrup or another sweetener, vinegar, salt, spice and herb extracts (including celery), spice and garlic powder. Some brands also include allspice, cloves, cinnamon, onion and other vegetables.

While none of us should be eating too much salt or corn syrup, it's hard to argue with the fact that the ingredients list is decidedly non-toxic, especially when you compare it to the chemical-laded conventional cleaning products and shampoos that it can replace.

So check out these great alternative uses for ketchup, which will save you money and time:

Shine your copper

Whether you have copper-bottomed cooking pans, architectural detailing, or shiny knick-knacks, forget mucking about with costly and potentially toxic metal polish pastes. Why not use some of those old ketchup packets stashed away in your kitchen drawers?

Here's a very simple recipe from Michael de Jong, TDG's Zen Cleaner and author of the Clean series of simple living books:

Massage ketchup over the copper and watch it dissolve the tarnish away (thanks to the acid). In the event that you have stubborn spots, add a pinch of table salt while you polish.

Get those auto parts gleaming

According to The Cymbal Book by Hugo Pinksterboer, some folks have seen decent results getting their cars to shine by rubbing with ketchup. The book notes that the condiment does a good job cutting tarnish, but not so well in removing dirt. Sounds like you may need a multi-step process, with some soap and water as well.

Give it a try and let us know if it works for you.

Fight Skunk Odors

If you've lived in a rural or even suburban part of North America, chances are you may have had a run-in with a skunk one night or evening. Or perhaps your dog has. Although some experts have cautioned that the technique may not actually work well (beyond a masking sensation), many people still swear by tomato juice as a way to remove potent skunk odor. Michael de Jong points out that in the event you don't have any tomato juice on hand you can try using plain ketchup instead.

Get back prettier hair from chlorine damage

According to de Jong, ketchup can also be used to correct limey-hair-highlights-gone-green, which can sometimes occur from exposure to chlorine found in swimming pools (another good reason to check out natural pools as a refreshing alternative).

How? Restore your normal hair color -- or at least the one you paid dearly for -- by applying full strength ketchup to your hair. Smoosh it in, let it linger for about 20 minutes and then wash it out thoroughly.

Soothe wounds

Unused ketchup packets pile up across America by the millions, as hurried diners and service staff often grab huge handfuls, only to end up using a few. Lisa posted over on Seacoast Online that she freezes leftover ketchup and soy sauce packets to use on her children's "small booboos and bumps." She claims, "The kids LOVE them." Apparently even the mere appearance of the packets often makes their hurts go away.

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/daily_gr...r-ketchup.html

catlover79 · 05-02-2009, 03:26 PM

I just saw that on Yahoo. Who knew??

robyrob · 05-02-2009, 04:44 PM

i once had a cat that got into a fight with a skunk and we had to give him a bath in ketchup - it was NOT fun, and he foreverafter HATED ketchup.

he also got into a fight with a porcupine once, but I don't think the ketchup would've helped much there.

MonarC · 05-02-2009, 05:03 PM

WOW! That is one brave cat.

catlover79 · 05-02-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

i once had a cat that got into a fight with a skunk and we had to give him a bath in ketchup - it was NOT fun, and he foreverafter HATED ketchup.

he also got into a fight with a porcupine once, but I don't think the ketchup would've helped much there.

No, ketchup probably wouldn't have helped there. Yikes!!

LuLu Rogers · 05-03-2009, 12:16 AM

I know ketchup doesn't work as birth control

Marvo301 · 05-03-2009, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuLu Rogers

I know ketchup doesn't work as birth control

Well I suppose even ketchup can't do everything!

LuLu Rogers · 05-03-2009, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Well I suppose even ketchup can't do everything!

It's a long story, you had to be there

Marvo301 · 05-03-2009, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuLu Rogers

It's a long story, you had to be there

I thought there must be a story behind that. But I don't think I want to know what it is! I think I'd rather just trust your statement that ketchup doesn't work as birth control.

LuLu Rogers · 05-03-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I thought there must be a story behind that. But I don't think I want to know what it is! I think I'd rather just trust your statement that ketchup doesn't work as birth control.

Probably a smart move!

browneyes106 · 05-03-2009, 12:30 AM

I saw this on Yahoo earlier today too. I remember back in high school one of my friends did a science project on chlorine effects on hair and she told me about the ketchup remedy.

Chocoholic · 05-03-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuLu Rogers

I know ketchup doesn't work as birth control

There goes my idea of sending free ketchup to Octomom

LuLu Rogers · 05-03-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocoholic

There goes my idea of sending free ketchup to Octomom

I love you Kristen!!

MonarC · 05-03-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuLu Rogers

I know ketchup doesn't work as birth control

EWWWW! Way too much info.

LuLu Rogers · 05-03-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonarC

EWWWW! Way too much info.

It's just an inside joke, lighten up a little

05-02-2009, 03:24 PM	#1
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	Five surprising uses for ketchup Five surprising uses for ketchup Whether you enjoy ketchup with fries or -- like some Americans -- a few fries with a boatload of ketchup, there's no denying the ubiquity and popularity of the distinctive red condiment. Ketchup has been satirized, politicized (W Ketchup anyone?) and considered for reclassification as a vegetable. Many folks can't even agree how it should be spelled (catsup or catchup perhaps?). We're guessing we're not the only ones who squirrel away unused packets of ketchup in desks and cabinets after a quick meal on the go. (Or who have aging, half-empty bottles of the stuff crammed in the back of the fridge.) And since we hate to waste things here at The Daily Green, we got to thinking about ways to creatively reuse extra ketchup -- we mean besides the obvious choices of making recession ketchup "pizza" or "spaghetti." Shudder…... By the way, wonder what's in ketchup? Typically tomato concentrate (duh), the ubiquitous corn syrup or another sweetener, vinegar, salt, spice and herb extracts (including celery), spice and garlic powder. Some brands also include allspice, cloves, cinnamon, onion and other vegetables. While none of us should be eating too much salt or corn syrup, it's hard to argue with the fact that the ingredients list is decidedly non-toxic, especially when you compare it to the chemical-laded conventional cleaning products and shampoos that it can replace. So check out these great alternative uses for ketchup, which will save you money and time: Shine your copper Whether you have copper-bottomed cooking pans, architectural detailing, or shiny knick-knacks, forget mucking about with costly and potentially toxic metal polish pastes. Why not use some of those old ketchup packets stashed away in your kitchen drawers? Here's a very simple recipe from Michael de Jong, TDG's Zen Cleaner and author of the Clean series of simple living books: Massage ketchup over the copper and watch it dissolve the tarnish away (thanks to the acid). In the event that you have stubborn spots, add a pinch of table salt while you polish. Get those auto parts gleaming According to The Cymbal Book by Hugo Pinksterboer, some folks have seen decent results getting their cars to shine by rubbing with ketchup. The book notes that the condiment does a good job cutting tarnish, but not so well in removing dirt. Sounds like you may need a multi-step process, with some soap and water as well. Give it a try and let us know if it works for you. Fight Skunk Odors If you've lived in a rural or even suburban part of North America, chances are you may have had a run-in with a skunk one night or evening. Or perhaps your dog has. Although some experts have cautioned that the technique may not actually work well (beyond a masking sensation), many people still swear by tomato juice as a way to remove potent skunk odor. Michael de Jong points out that in the event you don't have any tomato juice on hand you can try using plain ketchup instead. Get back prettier hair from chlorine damage According to de Jong, ketchup can also be used to correct limey-hair-highlights-gone-green, which can sometimes occur from exposure to chlorine found in swimming pools (another good reason to check out natural pools as a refreshing alternative). How? Restore your normal hair color -- or at least the one you paid dearly for -- by applying full strength ketchup to your hair. Smoosh it in, let it linger for about 20 minutes and then wash it out thoroughly. Soothe wounds Unused ketchup packets pile up across America by the millions, as hurried diners and service staff often grab huge handfuls, only to end up using a few. Lisa posted over on Seacoast Online that she freezes leftover ketchup and soy sauce packets to use on her children's "small booboos and bumps." She claims, "The kids LOVE them." Apparently even the mere appearance of the packets often makes their hurts go away. http://green.yahoo.com/blog/daily_gr...r-ketchup.html

05-02-2009, 03:26 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I just saw that on Yahoo. Who knew??
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

05-02-2009, 04:44 PM	#3
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,206	i once had a cat that got into a fight with a skunk and we had to give him a bath in ketchup - it was NOT fun, and he foreverafter HATED ketchup. he also got into a fight with a porcupine once, but I don't think the ketchup would've helped much there.
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05-03-2009, 12:16 AM	#6
LuLu Rogers Colonel Brandon Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 23, 2004 Location: The Hogwarts Dungeons Posts: 11,013	I know ketchup doesn't work as birth control
	__________________ -Lauren- "I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death."-Professor Severus Snape

05-02-2009, 05:03 PM	#4
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	WOW! That is one brave cat.

05-03-2009, 12:30 AM	#11
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	I saw this on Yahoo earlier today too. I remember back in high school one of my friends did a science project on chlorine effects on hair and she told me about the ketchup remedy.