Beer is good for a lot more than drinking. Not only does it make a refreshing tipple after a long day, research shows that beer is also useful for everything from warding off flies to cleaning rusts from pots and pans. Here are 10 ways you can put the drink to work.
It’s typically difficult to clean stains from copper and cast iron, but beer can clean everything. Soak your copper item in beer for 5 to 10 minutes and then use a soft cloth to buff the surface and remove stains.
Put a little flat beer on a soft cloth and then rub it into your wooden coffee table. Much like with a traditional polish, you’ll end up with a shinier and more richly coloured table.
Your favourite brew can be used as a substitute for water in thousands of recipes. Beer can also be used to steam seafood, in sauces and breads, and even to give your morning pancakes an extra kick.
Got a stain on the carpet? Beer can be a quick replacement for carpet cleaner. Pour a little brew on the stain, let it soak in, and then blot the stain with a clean cloth. Once you’ve removed the stain, you’ll need to use soap and water to remove the beer from your carpet.
If you do not want flies hanging around your food when you are eating outside, place a glass of beer a few metres away. Scientists from the University of California say flies are attracted to beer because it contains glycerol – a sweet-tasting compound that yeasts produce during fermentation.
Create your own beer shampoo by first boiling a cup or two of your favorite ale on the stove. Keep the brew cooking on medium until only about 25 per cent of it is left (at this point you’ve cooked off all the alcohol). Allow it to cool, and then mix your reduced beer with shampoo until you get as much liquid as you started with. This potent concoction is sure to rejuvenate your hair.
Having trouble removing a rusty screw? The carbonation in your favourite beer can help break down rust. Pour a little bit over the screw, wait 15 seconds or so, and then try again.
After a long day in the office, try soaking your feet in beer. The enzymes in beer can soften calluses on your tootsies. Fill a container with enough warm water to cover your ankles and then add half a bottle of beer to the mix. Kick back and relax.
Beer is one of the best natural treatments for dandruff, because of its high yeast and vitamin B content levels. Just rinse your hair with a bottle of beer two to three times a week to get rid of dandruff and make your hair extra soft and shiny.
Beer is slightly acidic—and that makes it an excellent meat tenderiser, say nutritionists. Marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours or, better yet, overnight. Do not drink the marinade.
Text: Bauer/ Good Health/ Additional Reporting: Shenielle Aloysis