Coca-Cola is the most well known and most consumed soft drink in the world. Originally invented by Dr. John S. Pemberton in 1886 as a medicinal beverage, Coca-Cola celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. Despite being a bestselling soda, Coke has many secondary uses as well.

Regular Coke includes carbonated water, sugar or high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, caffeine, phosphoric acid, coca extract, kola nut extract, lime extract, vanilla and glycerin. The phosphoric acid and carbonation support the other uses for Coke.

Phosphoric acid is a clear, syrupy liquid added to cola to give the drink a tangy flavor. This acid naturally occurs in foods such as milk, meat, poultry, fish and nuts. This type of acid is used industrially as a rust converter to remove rust from iron, steel or other metal surfaces.

Although Coca-Cola originally contained sizable amounts of cocaine from the coca leaf, it now only uses the coca leaf for flavoring and extracts all traces of the cocaine from the ingredients.

Coca-Cola’s uses are many:

1. Coca-Cola is excellent for removing rust from small objects. Simply soak the rusty items in Coke overnight and the rust should be gone by morning.
2. Coke is also useful for cleaning windows, especially car windows, which can accumulate large amounts of grime on the outside. Soak a towelette with Coke and rub it in circular motions on the dirty window; then rinse with water.
3. Coke is effective as a grease stain remover for clothing and fabric. Empty a can of Coke into a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, then run through the regular cycle.
4. Coke may be used as a pain killer for jellyfish stings. If a sting occurs, pour Coke directly onto the sting. The acid in the soda will neutralize the wound and instantly bring relief.
5. Coke also cleans the black film from burnt cooking pots and pans. Fill the pans with Coca-Cola; put them on the stove at low heat, then wash normally.
6. Coke may also solve one’s insect problem. Leaving out a shallow dish of Coke near the problem area will attract, then kill bugs.
7. Flat Coke also remedies common ailments such as upset stomach, nausea and a sore throat. Drink the flat Coke periodically in small sips if there is nausea or an upset stomach.
8. Coke is also a delicious seasoning for a variety of recipes, such as a marinade or when used in a chicken casserole. Search online for a variety of Coke-inclusive recipe ideas.
9. Coke may also be used to remove toilet rings. After pouring the Coke into the toilet, let it soak for an hour and then scrub with toilet brush to remove ring.
10. Coke can be used to remove corrosion from car battery terminals. Pour the Coke over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.
11. Finally, Coke may be used for a fun science experiment. Drop a few Mentos into a bottle of Coke and watch as a geyser of Coke shoots up and out of the bottle.