With the return to the garden comes the return of the dreaded cleaning and maintenance – which is where the ketchup comes in. An expert has explained how the condiment can help
Gardeners are being encouraged to splash ketchup around their gardens this February.
It may sound bizarre, but the advice is to use tomato sauce – or ketchup – in preparation for spring. Despite February’s chilly rain, snow and ice, it won’t be long before warmer weather arrives and we all flock back to our gardens.
The return to outdoor living also means the dreaded task of cleaning and maintenance – and that’s where the humble ketchup comes in. Garden experts claim tomato sauce can banish rust from a variety of garden items, from patio furniture to gates, old watering cans or tools.
For brass or copper garden decor, ketchup can even tackle rust and tarnish caused by oxidisation. Sam Stevens, garden design expert at Pergolux UK, said: “Spring is on its way and a lot of people will be looking at their gardens and getting them ready for brighter and longer days ahead.”
He added: “Cleaning the garden doesn’t have to be an expensive job at all. We all love a cheap and cheerful hack and the good news is that there are plenty of items you’ll already have in your home that can be used in the garden.”
He concluded: “Whether you need to buff away stains, achieve a streak-free finish on glass or get rid of rust, there will be something in your house for everything.”
For brass or copper garden decor, ketchup can be used to remove tarnish and oxidation, reports the Express. This is a fantastic tip for those with metal patio furniture, garden gates or old metal watering cans.
Simply apply a thin layer of ketchup to the affected area and let it sit for around fifteen minutes before gently scrubbing it away and rinsing the area with water. If you’re looking to clean up a small tool, fizzy drinks can also be used to remove rust.
The acidity in fizzy drinks reacts with rust and breaks it down, making it easier to remove. This hack can be used on a range of things in the garden from rusty tools and furniture to hinges and metal parts of your barbecue.
Small tools can be soaked in the fizzy drink overnight. For furniture and other areas of the garden, pour some of the fizzy drink onto a cloth and wrap it over the rusty area for a few hours or overnight for strong rust.