Do you often have fluffy drinks left at home that drain quite quickly? Well, it turns out there’s a surprising way to reuse them instead of throwing them away.
Neil Mckenzie, home and garden specialist at Halton Stairlifts, has revealed that leftover fizzy drinks can be put to good use in your garden.
Even better, the product will only cost you 49p from Asda or 49p from Sainsbury’s.
However, it’s worth noting that it’s best to dilute fizzy pop with water before using it on plants to avoid sugar build-up that can attract pests.
You may also want to avoid too much fizzy drink in one place, as too much sugar can attract unwanted insects and animals.
Finally, regular fizzy drinks work best; diet options lack sugar, and dark cola contains dyes that can stain. Let’s see how you can reuse leftover coke:
Fertilize the plants
Mckenzie said: “Use fizzy drinks to add sugar to plants, especially houseplants or acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries. The sugar content can help promote microbial activity in the soil.”
Weed killer
Use fizzy drinks on driveways and paths to “kill the weeds.” The sugar in these drinks “attracts waste-producing microorganisms” that can kill plants.
Compost accelerator
Pouring leftover fizzy drinks into the compost can “speed up” the decomposition process. Sugar feeds microorganisms and helps them break down organic matter faster.
Snail and Snail Trap
The sugar in fizzy drinks attracts slugs and snails. “Pour some in a shallow container and put it in the garden,” he said. Pests are “drawn to it” and become trapped.
Bug spray
Mix fizzy drinks with liquid soap to create a “natural bug spray.” This can repel aphids and other small insects from your plants.
Flower preservative
Add fizzy drinks to water in a vase to keep cut flowers fresher for longer. Sugar nourishes the stems and extends their life.
Improve lawn health
Mckenzie explained: “Spraying diluted fizzy drinks on your lawn can promote lush growth. The sugar feeds beneficial microbes in the soil.”
Clean garden tools
Use fizzy drinks like cola to clean rusty or dirty garden tools. “Its acidic properties help remove rust and dirt,” he added.
Revitalizes the compost pile
Mckenzie recommended, “If your compost pile is dry or sluggish, adding baking soda can add moisture and nutrients to help break down the organic material faster.”
Increases soil acidity
Mckenzie said: “Use fizzy drinks on acid-loving plants to slightly lower the pH of the soil. This is beneficial for plants such as hydrangeas, gardenias and rhododendrons.”
