Woman shares ketchup cleaning hack that leaves people stunned

There’s something particularly moreish about life hacks, even if most of them go in one ear and out the other.

Household life is full of little frustrations, after all, from the patch of black mould that sprouts every October to the fact your bedroom is sweltering hot during the summer nights. Leaky taps, loose toilet seats, stained oven doors, burned-on gunk on the hob, the list goes on.

A rusty radiator pre-ketchup (Family Lowdown Tips & Ideas/Facebook)

The idea that any or all of these issues could be quickly solved with something stashed in the cupboard is a tantalising one. We don’t have anything to resolve any of the above – sorry for getting your hopes up – but if you’re stricken with a rusty radiator then we’ve got just the solution.

It comes courtesy of the Family Lowdown Tips & Ideas group on Facebook, with some before and after pics that really sell the hack. Look how it sparkles!

The hack has done the business for some grateful Facebook users already. "Thank you EVERYONE!!!” says one comment.

Now: the hack.

"I have seen so many posts about rusty radiators with recommendations to use tomato sauce and tin foil to clean them,” said the Facebook post.

(Charmian Perkins/Getty Images)

"I always thought it was a bit of joke until I very sceptically tried it today for a laugh really..."

She continued: "OMG it worked. Before and after pics below! Still not perfect but I ran out of ketchup."

Essentially, the acids within the tomato sauce help to break down the rust, making it easy to scrub free from the metal underneath.

More than 200 people have commented on the post, with the vast majority agreeing it’s a godsend for their rusty radiators.

"The thought of metal rubbing on metal sends shivers down my spine, good life hack though," said one who perhaps didn’t give it a go themselves.

"The thought of using ketchup or foil on metal to clean makes me feel so sick," said another. "I just couldn't do it... Looks amazing though!"

A third shared: "Tomato sauce and tin foil what now? I need to give this a go!"

Now we just need something to get rid of the ketchup smell... (Family Lowdown Tips & Ideas/Facebook)

"Guess what I'm doing with my day off next week?" revealed someone whose holiday plans sound like a real hoot.

"Very impressive!" raved another.

A final comment pondered: "That’s brilliant. I do wonder how the first person came across the hacks.

"Were they sitting eating dinner and thought 'I know, I think I’ll rub my radiator clean with the last bit of tomato ketchup in the bottle and foil'?"