Aluminum foil is a kitchen essential, used for baking delicious dinners, lining trays and covering dishes. But, did you know it has many uses outside of the culinary world, too?
It turns out there are a myriad of useful ways to utilize this staple around the home, some of which you have probably never even heard of. From banishing pests, polishing silverware, sharpening scissors, and a 'time machine for your laundry', experts say this simple sheet can do wonders.
Here, we spoke to a host of cleaning pros for the top ways they use aluminum foil around their homes house, from cleaning tips to heating hacks.
7 ways to use aluminum foil around the house
1. To polish silverware
Essential to your dining table styling, if you're hosting a dinner party or simply enjoying a family meal at home, you will want your silverware looking it's shiny, best self. And, according to Forrest Webber, founder of Bear Brothers Cleaning, aluminum foil is the way to achieve this easily.
He says, 'Is your silverware looking more like "vintage pirate treasure" than fancy dinner party? Well, aluminum foil to the rescue!'
Simply grab an oven dish, line it with aluminum foil, such as the Reynolds Wrap Everyday Strength Aluminum Foil available at Walmart, and add a tablespoon of both baking soda and salt.
When cleaning with baking soda, we recommend using the bestselling ARM & HAMMER Pure Baking Soda available at Walmart, which has hundreds of uses around the home from deodorizing to cleaning, along with the Great Value Plain Salt, also available at Walmart, which features an easy-pour spout container to make measuring a breeze.
Webber continues, 'Pop in your tarnished silver and let the magic happen. It's like a chemical reaction spa day for your spoons, minus the cucumber eye mask.' You can use this on tarnished silver jewelry as well. Punteha van Terheyden, head of Solved explains, 'I wore my silver rings in a swimming pool and the chlorine tarnished my jewelry. I used this hack to get rid of the black tarnish and restore it's shine. It took two rounds of treatment but works a treat.'
You can also clean rust with aluminum foil, if your silverware is looking particularly worse for wear, or you've picked some up secondhand, which is a great way to shop sustainably.
2. To speed up ironing
Ironing is a task few are particularly keen on, but undoubtedly the best way to get wrinkles out of clothes. Luckily, cleaning expert Webber recommends using aluminum foil to speed up the process.
He says, 'Try placing aluminum foil underneath your ironing board cover. It reflects the heat, effectively ironing both sides of your clothes at once.'
When doing so, we recommend taking the time to make scented ironing water, using essential oils such as MAJESTIC PURE Lemon Essential Oil available at Amazon, which is a great way to make laundry smell better.
Webber continues, 'Using aluminum foil is like a sneaky little time machine for laundry. Less time sweating over the iron, more time pretending loving how fast the job is done.'
3. To keep pests out
Did you know you can use aluminum foil as a natural pest control method? Daniel Baldwin, board certified entomologist at Hawx Pest Control explains, 'Whilst aluminum doesn't completely prevent pests from entering your home or treating an infestation, it can act as a useful and cost effective deterrent. Its reflective surface and unusual texture can deter pests including insects, rodents and birds.
In your garden, to stop birds eating grass seed, and keep rats away from your yard, hanging strips of aluminum foil from larger plants, bushes and trees where birds often land can keep them away, and deter them from coming back.
As Baldwin explains, 'The shiny surface of the foil reflects sunlight with can help scare birds away from the area, helping to protect the plants that they feed on.'
If you're struggling to get rid of rats or mice, creating balls of foil and placing them in cracks or holes in walls around your property where you suspect they are entering will keep them at bay, as they are unable to chew through the material. 'Treat this as a temporary fix, and, whenever you can, ensure that holes or cracks found around the home are properly sealed, either by yourself or a professional contractor,' warns Baldwin.
All prices were correct at time of publication.
This caulk is perfect for sealing any gaps or cracks, as rodents are able to squeeze through even the smallest of spaces. It effectively keeps out water, air and moisture, and is suitable for all weather conditions, meaning it can be used both inside and outdoors.
4. To scrub pots and pans
While you won't want to use this hack to clean copper pots and pans, or anything non-stick, Webber recommends using aluminum foil as a scrubber on anything else.
He says, 'If your pans look like they've been used to grill a campfire's ashes, just crumple up some aluminum foil and use it as a scrubber. It's tough enough to tackle burnt food, surprisingly therapeutic, and it's way cheaper than a fancy sponge.'
For maximum efficacy, use your aluminum foil in conjunction with a grease-busting dish soap, such as Dawn Ultra Dish Soap Dishwashing Liquid available at Walmart, or a specifically formulated product, such as Bar Keepers Friend Superior Cookware Cleanser & Polish available at Amazon.
If you prefer not to use chemicals, you can also clean stainless steel pans with vinegar, as long as it is diluted. We have tested this method ourselves, and recommend the Heinz All Natural Distilled White Vinegar with 5% Acidity available at Walmart for a satisfying gleam.
5. To sharpen scissors
There's something thoroughly annoying about a pair of blunt scissors, particularly when you need them to open something or bring your Christmas gift wrapping ideas to life. But, as well as being useful to sharpen pruning shears, Webber recommends using aluminum foil to get the job done.
He says, 'Got dull scissors that refuse to cut anything more challenging than air? Aluminum foil is here to save the day.'
All you need to do is fold a sheet a few times and cut it with your scissors, which will get them sharpened and ready for use. However, this isn't one the best ways to sharpen kitchen knives, so steer clear of using foil to do so and instead invest in a specific product such as the number one bestselling 4-in-1 Kitchen Knife Accessories available at Amazon.
6. To improve your radiator efficiency
Wondering how to make heating more efficient? Karina Toner, operations manager at Spekless, recommends using aluminum foil to do so.
She says, 'Place aluminum foil behind your radiator with the shiny side facing outward. This reflects heat into the room, instead of letting it escape into the walls,' helping to maximize the warmth provided by radiators and cutting energy bills.
For a more permanent, durable solution, you can also invest in a radiator reflector.
This insulation roll can be placed behind radiators to provide excellent insulation performance and keep your house warm without turning up the heat. It can also be used both indoors and outdoors, and is therefore a good option to winterize a garage like a pro.
7. Keep your oven clean
We've tested many oven cleaning hacks to clean an oven, and cleaning expert Webber recommends using aluminum foil as a speedy and inexpensive way to remove grease and grime.
He says, 'Cleaning the oven is like digging through the ancient ruins of cooking sessions past. Instead of chiseling off old cheese drips, use aluminum foil.'
Simple place a sheet on the rack below whatever you're cooking to catch any drips and mess, but Webber warns not to line the whole oven floor, as they need airflow.
And, if you're unsure how to clean an oven rack, you can use aluminum foil and dishwasher tablets, such as the bestselling Cascade Platinum Plus Dishwasher Detergent Pacs available at Walmart for an efficient, deep-clean. Simply wrap your racks in foil, submerge them underwater and drop in one or two dishwasher tablets. Wait a couple of hours, or overnight, before removing your racks and rinsing thoroughly – the baked-on food and grease should simply wash away.
While we love these uses for our trusty foil, there are things you should never do with aluminum foil that it's important to be aware of.
For example, aluminum foil should never be used in a microwave, which is an extreme fire hazard, or to store food, as the aluminum may harmfully leach into your food.
