Traditional cleaning solutions get the job done, but there has been a recent trend towards using items you already have in your home for everyday cleaning tasks. You may have learned about people using lemons, vinegar, or baking soda. But did you know that your favorite soda pop also is great for cleaning? The ingredients found in dark and light sodas are great for cleaning stains, getting rid of tough rust, and breaking down stuck gunk.

Before you whip out a 2-liter bottle of Diet Coke and go to town on your home, make sure you have the right soda for specific surfaces, so you do not ruin any of the things you own. Here are a few of the many suggestions for how you can use it, and why it works.

Carpet

Coca-Cola is notoriously good at removing marker stains from carpeting or rugs. Pour some soda onto a clean cloth, and dab at the affected area using a rolling motion. Don’t rub or scrub at the carpet, or you may just spread the stain. Keep doing this either until there is no more color transfer onto the cloth, or you have covered the whole affected area. Before you bring out the big guns for removing your kid’s masterpiece, try a little Coke on it. If your carpet is light, though, it may be better to try something else, or rinse the Coke immediately with water so that you do not further the stain. Soda water, which is light in color, works well too.

Glass

The phosphoric acid found in soda is what rescues so many of your surfaces. Soak a paper towel in Coca-Cola and wipe down any glass surfaces that need a refresh, from windows and mirrors to glasses. Make sure you rinse the glass with water after you are done, though, so that no sticky residue is left behind. Soda is even great for clearing the snow and ice on your windshield. Pour a soda over the glass and give it ten minutes. The soda will have helped to melt the ice and you can brush it off your car more easily.

Jewelry

Want to restore the shine on a silver necklace? A can of lemon-lime soda should do the trick. All you must do is soak your sterling silver or silver-plated accessories in a bowl or cup full of Sprite, 7UP, or Sierra Mist. Take a break and let the citric acid and carbonation work their magic over the course of an hour. After rinsing with water and drying, your jewelry should be as good as new. It is not recommended you use this on expensive items regularly, but for quick cleanings without the cost of going to a Jewler this is a safe and effective alternative.

Rusty Surfaces

Rust spots in your bathtub? It happens to the best of us no matter how often you clean your home. Age effects everything. The same phosphoric acid that cleans glass well can do wonders for rusty surfaces. This including the chrome on your vehicle, old locks, or rusted bikes. This is also great for old tools you have lying around. Soak an abrasive sponge in a little bit of cola, then wipe the rust. It make take a little elbow grease, but the Coke’s acidity will break down the gunky build up. If it’s a particularly old item, soaking in Coke overnight will make it easier.

Drains and Toilets

Carbonation from soda is a great gunk-remover. Simply pour a big glug of soda down the drain, and then rinse with hot water. Listen for the fizzing to stop before running the water again, so that the Coke has enough time to work it’s magic. It will break down the buildup and wash it straight down. For cleaning toilet bowls, lots of people swear by the phosphoric acid in Coca-Cola, but any soda should do the trick. It helps bring shine back to the toilet and remove any stuck on gunk. You can also leave it sitting in the toilet bowl overnight for a super easy cleanup the next day with little effort.

Pots and Pans

If your cookware has seen better days do not just throw it away. Grab a soda and let the acid do its thing. First, pour one or two cans of any soda type into a pot or pan, then let it simmer for around an hour. Use low heat on the pot or pan if there is a lot of grease stuck. This trick works especially well on cookware with burns too as it breaks down the old food caked on. It’s also safe to do because soda is made for humans to drink so you will not feel bad cooking on the pot and pan later.

Car Battery

The acid in carbonated drinks packs a punch in removing corrosion from car batteries. This works in the similar way that a Coke can clear up rust. Simply pour a single can of soda over your car’s battery. Just make sure to remove any excess soda with a wet cloth or sponge when you’re done or else it can cause problems with your car. This trick can extend the life of your battery in a safe way. Be aware, though, that flat or clear sodas don’t work as well as dark sodas for this trick.

Using a fizzy soda for cleaning might sound a bit strange, but it can really get the job done. The chemicals in soda are great for breaking down messes and spills. Soda can become a staple in your home whenever something needs a tough stain or rust remover. Just make sure to have water to wipe it down afterwards so things do not get sticky.