You probably know Alka-Seltzer as the fizzy tabs you drop into water to soothe indigestion and heartburn. And with the holidays coming up and the season of over-indulging upon us, you might have already stocked up on some extra.
But actually, it's always a good idea to keep some handy, even if your stomach is feeling fine. That's because Alka-Seltzer can help "clear up" all kinds of issues around the house, and offer a more mild and money-saving way to keep your space clean and sparkly.
Alka-Seltzer is made from a combination of aspirin, citric acid, and everyone's favorite versatile cleaner, baking soda. Baking soda can do pretty much anything, from cleaning ovens to cleaning carpets. Do you see where we're going with this?
These household tips all use Alka-Seltzer to clean things quickly and cheaply, so they're perfect for impromptu gatherings and unexpected guests, or as simple ways to keep your house clean with minimal effort.
And let's be honest, if we can have a clean house and more time and energy for socializing, doing your hobby, or binge-watching your favorite show, why would we not take that opportunity?
Check out some of the tips below for using Alka-Seltzer outside of your belly below, and let us know if you've ever tried any, or if there's an Alka-Seltzer trick you know that we forgot!
What Is Alka-Seltzer, Anyway?
Alka-Seltzer is an over-the-counter medication known for its fizzing properties.
It's a combination of aspirin, citric acid, and baking soda, and is usually used to soothe indigestion and stomachache.
The aspirin acts as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory, and the baking soda and citric acid neutralize acids that cause heartburn.
But it can actually do a lot more…
Alka-Seltzer Use #1: Quickly Clean A Toilet
Drop two Alka-Selter tablets into a grimy toilet and wait about 20 minutes for them to completely fizz.
Scrub the bowl with a brush to loosen any gunk, and then flush.
The citric acid in the tabs will dissolve any grime from the porcelain, and will leave your bowl shiny and clean.
As a bonus, the baking soda will kill off any odors.
Alka-Seltzer Use #2: Soothe Insect Bites
Alka-Seltzer soothes the outside of your body, too!
Drop a tablet in some warm water and let it dissolve completely, then soak a cotton ball in the solution.
Hold the soaked cotton ball onto an itchy bug bite for about 30 seconds, and the solution will soothe the irritation.
Alka-Seltzer Use #3: Deodorize The Fridge
A lot of people keep a small bowl of baking soda in the fridge to absorb the stale smells that gather over time.
But if your fridge is smelling funky and you'd like to get rid of the odor now, try a tablet of Alka Seltzer dropped into a cup of water, left in the fridge for half an hour. The smell should be gone by the time you open the door half an hour later.
Another tip? You can also wash down the inside of the fridge using an Alka-Seltzer solution.
Alka-Seltzer Use #4: Clean Out A Narrow-Necked Bottle
We all have those bottles and vases that are super pretty, but also super-hard to clean thanks to their narrow openings.
But Alka-Seltzer can help. Drop in two tablets (if the opening is small, you may have to crumble them in, but that's fine), and some hot water.
Swish it around until they're dissolved, and let sit for an hour. Then rinse it out, and your bottle or vase will be clean!
Alka-Seltzer Use #5: Clear Up A Urinary Tract Infection
O.K., so this one is an internal issue, but it's not one that's ever associated with Alka-Seltzer!
As soon as you notice symptoms of a urinary tract infection, such as a feeling of having to pee or pain during urination, drink two tablets dissolved in water.
Alka-Seltzer Use #6: Get Stains Our Of White Clothes
Nothing's worse than a gross stain on a piece of white clothing.
If you have stubborn stains, especially the yellow kind from everyday wear, Alka-Seltzer can banish them for good.
Use two tablets of Alka-Seltzer for every gallon of warm water (depending on how many stained items you're looking to clean). Drop them in, let them start fizzing, and then throw in your stained white clothing.
Let soak for 20 to 30 minutes, and then see how the stains are looking. Most should be gone, but some deeper or more stubborn ones may need to be scrubbed out.
Alka-Seltzer Use #7: Clean Your Coffee Maker
Most of us can't imagine life without our coffee maker, but after using it faithfully, it can start to get a little funky. And while you can clean some of it, it's hard to get into all those little tubes and passageways.
To get a thorough clean and kill off any old, cruddy coffee smells, fill the water chamber and drop in three Alka-Seltzer tablets.
Once they've completely dissolved, run the coffeemaker through a brew cycle to clean out all the internal parts.
Run another cycle with just plain water to rinse.
Alka-Seltzer Use #8: Unclog A Drain
A clogged drain is a pain, but drain clearing agents can be really nasty substances. Luckily, Alka-Seltzer is great at clearing up clogs while still being safe and gentle.
Drop four Alka-Seltzer tablets down the clogged drain, then chase them with a cup of white vinegar.
Let the foaming mixture stand for about 10 minutes, then rinse it all away with boiling water.
Doing this regularly will also keep your drain clear, and get rid of any odors.
Do you have any other clever Alka-Seltzer uses?
Let us know in the comments, and SHARE to help your friends keep their homes clean without the extra work.
