Have you seen those posts online or TV talking about cleaning with coke? The question I’ve been asked is: does cleaning with coke actually work? If so, how??

I love sharing these chemistry truths with you because it can save you time from finding things out for yourself (or worse, learning the hard way and ruining something).

Recently we shared the truth about borax. So many people are misinformed about borax, so I loved sharing the science behind it. 

Today, let’s discuss this coke thing. 

Does Cleaning With Coke Actually Work?

The scientific truth is, yes it does! Is it worth it? I don’t think so. Let me explain. 

Coke contains various chemicals that can clean away grim in certain areas of your home. Surfaces like toilets, sinks, drains can be cleaned with it. Certain metals can be cleaned with it too. 

Acids

The main reason for the cleaning properties of Coke are the acids found in it. Phosphoric acid and citric acid make the pH lower. A lower pH makes coke acidic helping it to cut through things like hard water, soap scum, grim and rust. 

The acid isn’t very strong though, so you typically have to soak something for awhile for it to work. Phosphoric acid is a very weak acid used to provide the tangy like taste in soft drinks. Since it is so weak, it doesn’t work quickly.

For instance, if you use coke to clean a toilet, it usually needs to be soaked for at least 30 minutes to an hour. A stronger acid would be something like vinegar. 

Carbon Dioxide 

The fizziness in carbonation comes from Carbon Dioxide. Carbon dioxide can also contribute to cutting through water deposits and breaking down any grim. It is a similar to principle to what happens when you use this homemade carpet cleaner. Carbon dioxide bubbles form when you mix vinegar and baking soda. This bubbles and breaks down stains to release them from fabric.  Eventually the vinegar and baking soda neutralize, but it is the chemical formation of carbon dioxide that contributes to it’s cleaning power.

All carbonated drinks, even carbonated water, have this potential.

Other Ingredients 

The other ingredients in coke? One of them is sugar! Usually high fructose corn syrup (some contain regular sugar). Does this help with cleaning? No, in fact, it can create a sticky mess! 

Sugar is not only sticky, but it also leaves behind a residue. Usually, you are cleaning things around the kitchen to get rid of stickiness. 

If you were to pour coke on something to clean it, like a sink or faucet, it would be to be  cleaned again to remove any sugar.

Is it worth it to try?

The fact is, yes it will clean, but it isn’t time or cost efficient compared to other homemade cleaning options in my opinion.

First, if you are cleaning a toilet, you need to pour a full can inside the toilet bowl. One can of coke can vary in price depending on name brand or not, but that can be about $0.39 per can. If you clean the toilet once a week, that is 1.56 per month. Not expensive, but there is cheaper options.

If you use vinegar based homemade cleaners, it turns into a much cheaper application. A large gallon of vinegar is $2.38 at my store. It lasts me months and months even making homemade cleaners all the time.

Time wise, soaking a toilet for an hour is much longer than the few seconds other homemade cleaners take to use. If you need to get something clean fast, it isn’t as good of an option.

I think it is good to keep in mind….

Honestly, all these home cleaning hacks are good to keep in mind just in case you run out of something. If you want to clean a toilet, but have nothing on hand but coke, then definitely give it  a try! I think cleaning a toilet with coke is the only thing I would use it on due to the sticky factor of the sugar.

I just wouldn’t use it as my only source 🙂

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