AT readers in the past have commented a few times about the household uses of the indigestion relief tablets of Alka-Seltzer for tasks like odour removal in the fridge or for cleaning vases. Here are a few other household tasks that can be tackled with the plop-plop-fizz-fizz action:
Clogged Drains: this won't work for serious clogs, but it's a low cost solution for a moderately clogged kitchen sink (it won't work with hair). First drop in a couple Alka-Seltzer tablets down the sink, and follow it up with a chaser of vinegar (1 cup). Allow for the chemical reaction to work its magic for about 2 minutes, then run the hot water at full force to help jettison out the debris. A bonus is your drain should smell better too.
More below...
Brighten up the Toilet: Alka-Seltzer works thanks to citric acid and baking soda, which is chemically released when mixed with water resulting in that characteristic effervescent fizzing action. Just a couple tablets dropped into a toilet will work on that porcelain in a similar fashion to denture cleaning tabs on false teeth. Just give them about 15 minutes to fully dissipate and work on those stains and scrub gently afterward for a whiter throne.
Clean Glass Oven Cookware: we learned this one in college while we lived in the dorms. A friend showed his cleaning technique after making lasagna for everyone. He dropped in a whole box of Alka Seltzer into the bakeware, fully filled to the brim with warm water. Soaked overnight, the stains were much easier to remove the next morning. Too bad we couldn't do the same thing to our whole dorm kitchen (yuck).
Clean the Microwave Dish: one of the nastiest, neglected areas we used to see in the office kitchen we used to work at was the inside of the microwave. Jonathan has listed how to clean the inside before, but we also recommend removing and cleaning the bottom plate that many rotational models use for even cooking. Submerge into the sink, with water just barely covering, then drop in 2-4 tablets and allow to soak for an hour. Scrubbing the stains will be 10X easier afterward.
Anybody else have some household uses for Alka-Seltzer you'd like to share?
i'm gonna try this - thanks! :-D
view little flower's profile
Ditto - especially the toilet cleaning one!
(My least-favorite job around the apartment)
view bepsf's profile
i use the denture cleaning tabs to freshen up my toothbrush too.
view little flower's profile
None of these suggestions warrant me going out and purchasing alka-seltzer for these purposes. If I had it in the house, I would rather use it for the recommended uses, such as heartburn, indigestion, etc. About the microwave plate...if you let it soak in hot water and soap for 10 minutes, I believe anything would come off. Same with the baking glass pan. As for the toilet, use some of that Boni Ami that is often touted on these AT pages. The main thing in all of this cleaning is that the item being cleaned has been soaked. That's what softens the waste, the alka-seltzer is just in it for the ride.
view VickyA's profile
I like Alka Seltzer for hangovers - but I'll try to remember to drop a couple in my toilet.
view blackbird's profile
You don't need to go out and buy Alka Seltzer ... vinegar and baking soda does the trick!
view Jane's profile
i've done the vinegar and baking soda thing too! lemons or limes with baking soda
view little flower's profile
I like using it to clean my tea pot. It fizzes up right into the spout although I suppose I could get the same effect with just vinegar and baking soda in the tea pot...
view geek details's profile
I second the denture cleaning tabs tip. They're also good for cleaning the toilet.
view rose's profile