8+ unexpected ways to use Alka-Seltzer around the home

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Alka-Seltzer tablets have been around for a long time. Perfect for the occasional upset stomach and indigestion, you may have a package in your medicine cabinet. All you have to do is drop them in water and they create a fizzy drink.
Don't save them for the occasional over indulgence ⁠— these little tablets are perfectly useful throughout your entire home. From science experiments to household problems, you'll be amazed at how useful these little white tablets are.
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1. Power a rocket to space (h/t Alka-Seltzer)
The chemical reaction between Alka-Seltzer and water is the key to these creative rockets. A film canister and a few art supplies help you create adorable rockets perfect for explaining chemical reactions. The pressure built in the film canister helps propel the rocket up into the sky ⁠— or at least a few feet.
2. Clean your toilet
The citric acid in Alka-Seltzer tablets removes grime and limescale without scrubbing. Drop a few tablets in the bowl of your toilet and walk away. After twenty minutes, give a quick wipe with your toilet brush and flush. Such a simple task without any harsh chemicals!
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3. Fix a clogged drain
The chemical reaction between Alka-Seltzer and vinegar help to eat away the grime clogging a drain. To stop a slow drain from becoming worse, just drop four tablets down the drain followed by a cup of vinegar. Once the mixture stops fizzing, pour a quart of boiling water down the drain. Extremely tough clogs may need a repeat treatment.
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4. Deodorize a smelly fridge
Alka-Seltzer quickly gets rid of the funky smell in your fridge. Dissolve a couple of tablets in a glass of water and set it on a shelf. After 30 minutes, the smell will be gone. As an added bonus, the remaining liquid is a perfect cleaning solution for the rest of the fridge.
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5. Shine your jewelry
Don't rush out to buy an expensive jewelry cleaner to remove tarnish from a piece of jewelry. All you need is an Alka-Seltzer tablet and water. Drop two tablets into a glass of water. Add your jewelry and wait a few minutes. This cleaning method is great for your gold, silver, and diamonds, but it is not safe for opals or pearls.
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6. Deep clean a coffee maker
Mineral deposits and limescale buildup make for bad coffee. Clean your coffee maker with nothing but water and a few antacid tablets. Simply place two tablets in the coffee filter container and two tablets in the water reservoir. Run normal coffee cycles until the tablets are completely dissolved ⁠— about four to seven cycles. Run another cycle to rinse. Your coffee maker is now completely clean.
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7. Stop the itch
The endless itching from bug bites often requires immediate relief. Alka-Seltzer tablets provide that relief. To create easy insect bite relief, dissolve two antacid tablets in a half cup of water. Use a cotton ball to dab over the itchy area. Rinse away after 30 minutes.
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8. Floor cleaner
Create your own homemade Alka-Seltzer floor clean. Here's what you can do: Fill an empty bucket up with half a gallon or so of warm water. Drop in five tablets. Then go and wipe down your floors!
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9. Dissolve stuck-on food
Burned food and sticky messes can create a kitchen nightmare. Don't waste time scrubbing; instead, simply dissolve the mess with antacid tablets. Fill the pan with water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and drop in a few Alka-Seltzer tablets. While the water cools down, the antacid will loosen the food remains. Once cool, gently scrub and wash clean.
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