A gardening expert has shared a simple task that everyone should be doing before the arrival of spring – and the cheap condiment is all you need
Most people will have a bottle of ketchup at home(Image: Stockah via Getty Images)
If you’ve got a bottle of ketchup sitting in your kitchen cupboard, you might want to take it out to the garden before spring arrives. That’s the recommendation from experts, who suggest this cheap and multi-purpose condiment can be very useful when it comes to revitalising your outdoor space.
While February in the UK typically brings cold weather, rain and occasionally frost, it also signals the shift towards longer days. Now that we’re nearly in March, many homeowners will be planning ahead for spring clean-ups.
This is where the ketchup hack comes in handy, according to Ali Lijee, a gardening expert at Treemend.
He suggests that now is the ideal time to tackle all those ‘niggling jobs’ before you start other work like sowing seeds in March. One of these tasks is repairing any rusty tools or weary-looking garden furniture that have been left unattended over winter, reports the Express.
According to Ali, many gardeners ignore the state of their metal items until they actually need them. He explained: “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.”
Your garden equipment might be looking a little rusty after winter(Image: Getty)
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Whilst it may sound odd, 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 explained: “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.”
A bottle of ketchup can actually help to transform your garden(Image: Getty)
How to clean garden tools with ketchup
If you’ve got rusty hand tools, old trowels or secateurs, apply a thin layer of ketchup directly onto the affected area. Leave it to sit for approximately 15 minutes, allowing the acids in the ketchup time to react with the rust.
Then, gently scrub with a soft brush or cloth 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 ornaments, 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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