A bottle of ketchup can actually help to transform your garden (Image: Getty)
If you’ve got a bottle of ketchup in your kitchen, you may want to bring it outside into the garden before spring arrives. That’s the advice from experts, who say that this cheap and versatile condiment can prove very handy when it comes to transforming your outdoor space.
While February in the UK often comes with cold weather, rain and sometimes frost, it also marks the turning point towards longer days. Now that we’re almost in March, many homeowners will be thinking ahead to spring clean-ups. This is where the ketchup trick comes in, according to Ali Lijee, a gardening expert at Treemend.
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He says that now is the perfect time to deal with all those ‘niggling jobs’ before you begin other work like planting seeds in March. One of these tasks is fixing any rusty tools or tired-looking garden furniture that have been neglected over winter.
According to Ali, many gardeners overlook the condition of their metal items until they need them. He said: “You go to grab your secateurs or watering can on the first warm weekend and suddenly notice they are covered in rust or tarnish.
“At that point, you either struggle on with them or assume you need to replace them. In reality, you can often revive them with something as simple as tomato ketchup.”
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Although it sounds strange, ketchup contains mild acids, including acetic acid from vinegar and citric acid from tomatoes. These can help break down light rust and oxidation on metals such as steel, brass and copper.
Ali said: “The acidity is what does the work. It gently loosens rust and tarnish without being as harsh as some chemical cleaners. For small patches and surface rust, it can be surprisingly effective.”
Your garden equipment might be looking a little rusty after winter (Image: Getty)How to clean garden tools with ketchup
If you have rusty hand tools, old trowels or secateurs, apply a thin layer of ketchup directly onto the affected area. Leave it to sit for around fifteen minutes, giving the acids in the ketchup time to react with the rust.
Then, scrub with a soft brush or cloth gently to lift the loosened rust. Rinse thoroughly with water and dry the item completely. Ali added: “Drying is important, otherwise you are inviting new rust to form.”
For brass or copper garden decor, the method is similar. Spread a light coating of ketchup, wait 15 minutes, then buff it off. Ali continued: “It can restore some of that original shine without the need for specialist polish.”
Alternatively, fizzy drinks can also help with certain small metal objects, as Ali explained: “If you are cleaning something like a small spade head or screws, soaking them in a fizzy drink for a short period can help loosen rust. But again, rinse and dry thoroughly afterwards.”
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