Forget expensive cleaning products, use a POTATO to clean your home: Expert reveals science behind foods that tackle rust, limescale and stains

• Cleaning experts from London-based Hassle.com have revealed which food items can be used as substitutes to expensive cleaning products
• Acids in coke and vinegar are found in products and react to lift stains
• Mayonnaise contains oils and proteins that diminish marks on wood
• Potatoes and baking soda tackle rust because the oxalic acid in the potato mixes with the baking soda to dissolve it 

By VICTORIA WOOLLASTON

PUBLISHED: 06:02 EST, 7 August 2014 | UPDATED: 08:43 EST, 7 August 2014

For decades, food items have been touted as substitutes to expensive household cleaning products.

And now a cleaning expert has revealed the science behind why certain foods are so useful for tackling rust, removing stains and tightening cracks in wood.

This ranges from potatoes, banana skins, brazil nuts, vinegar to mayonnaise.

For example, Alex Depledge, chief executive of cleaning site Hassle.com told MailOnline that tomato ketchup is good for cleaning brass, copper and silver elements.

'Tarnishing mainly occurs due to sulphur compounds in the air. 

'When the ketchup is applied to the metal, the natural acid in the tomatoes reacts with the oxidising of the tarnished silver, brass or copper.'

'Potatoes and baking soda are effective at tackling rust because the oxalic acid in the potato mixes with the baking soda to help to dissolve the rust,' said Mrs Depledge.

Even the weakest levels of acid can dissolve and loosen the hydrated iron oxides found in rust. 

Read more at source: Daily UK

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