Aluminum foil does more than wrap up your favorite roast. It has dozens of uses; many outside the kitchen. Here are a few of my favorite unusual uses for aluminum.
1. Keep Pans Clean – Aluminum foil is an awesome way to keep pans and your oven clean. Just lay a layer in your baking pan to avoid juicy meat/chicken from sticking. Try a layer on the bottom rack of the oven to catch drippings.
2. Polish your silver – line a pan with aluminum foil and fill with cold water. Salt the water with about 2 teaspoons and then place your silverware in the solution. After about 2-3 minutes, rinse thoroughly and wipe clean.
3. Save your steel wools – I know I love to get my pots shiny but it seems as soon as I use one, it starts to rust. Worse yet, it gets all over the edge of the sink. After using your pad, place it on a slightly crumpled piece of foil. It will lengthen the life as well as avoid the mess.
4. Use it to Clean – On that note, you can use the foil itself to clean pots. Crumple and scrub!
5. Use as a Retraining Tool – Encourage pets to sit or scratch other places. If your pet has made a home on a couch or chair that you prefer he/she didn’t, cover the seat in foil for a few days. The sound irritates cats and dogs enough that it can be a great retraining tool. Wrap foil on seat legs to discourage scratching or biting.
6. Use in Your Dryer – Here’s a great laundry tip. If you run out of dryer sheets, ball up a slice of foil. Throw it in the dryer for static-free clothes.
7. Use Under Your Ironing Board – Place a piece of aluminum foil under your ironing board cover. When you press the iron on the fabric and the foil will reflect back the heat. This is especially good with pants and sleeves as it irons both sides at once!
8. Sharpen Scissors – Fold a piece of foil in half several times until it is 6-8 layers thick. Make cuts with a pair of dull scissors into the folded foil to sharpen the scissors.
9. Protect Door Knobs – Use them to protect doorknobs or hinges while painting. Much easier to remove than tape.
10. Protect Saplings – Outside, protect a sapling from small rodents by wrapping the base in foil.
What is your favorite unusual use for aluminum foil? I’d love to hear more fabulous ideas!
Want more great all-natural ideas? Be sure you Follow Me on Pinterest and check out my DIY Ideas Board for more!
In summertime, I line the bedroom window with foil to keep out the sun’s heat. This really cuts down on the power bill. It also keeps out the light, which works for my husband, as he likes a dark bedroom.
When I drain browned beef, I cut a small piece and make it cup and then drip the grease in. When it cools, just fold up and throw away instead of down the drain.
Sometimes when my husband has to work out in the winter months I make a packet a couple layers thick for him to reheat grilled cheese or left over chicken when he puts the packet on his radiator to reheat when away from a microwave!
When a battery doesn’t fit tight and your whatever dont turn on because of the gap ..I fold a piece of foil and put it under battery for it to fit snug.. then it works!
That is genius!!! Thanks Jenni!
Wrap it tightly around a bunch of celery to keep it fresh and crisp in the refrigerator for weeks.
I just used foil to hide a few scratches on the bathroom mirror. You take small pieces of the foil and tape/glue the shiny side of the foil facing towards the reflective side on the back of the mirror where the scratch is located. It looks like new again. Saving me about 400 dollars in my resent bathroom remodel. I have given this tip out to clients who are remodeling for resale or have bought a fixer upper and trying to re-use the mirrors in bathrooms. Sometimes, when you take them down, the Black mastic used to secure them to the wall doesn’t come off without some effort. You end up scratching the reflective coating, creating a scratch that can be seen from the reflective side. Foil to the rescue!
Shelley Sellars Smith
I fold a piece of foil thickly then make a tent over which I pop hard taco shells to bake. They retain their open shape for filling and the fat from the shell drains away for fewer calories. Foil can be reused several times.
I always look forward to the “10 unusual uses for” segment. I cant believe all the helpful hints you have given us. ive tried lots of them already and they are as great as I imagined they would be. ive also taken advantage of quite a few of the coupon suggestions. keep up the great work. you make out lives so much easier with all the helpful ideas.
sincerely
marilyn
Thanks Marilyn! I appreciate your kind words. 🙂
Foil and food should not be mixed.
Wow, I’ve never thought about using alf foil for cleaning. Great ideas!
Be careful putting foil in the bottom of the newer ovens to catch drips. I did this in my brand new oven and it melted to the bottom since the heating element was enclosed. It does not come off!
Did you just shampoo your carpet or area rug and want to put your furniture back in the room but the carpet is just a little damp? Afraid the colored stain or paint from your furniture will get on the carpet? Just cut off a large piece of aluminum foil, double or triple it and place it under the legs or any wheels of the furniture. There will be no transfer of color to carpet or spots on your furniture from being wet. Wait until your carpet is completely dry in a day or so and remove foil. I learned this from my professional carpet cleaner 25 years ago…..Works every time!
When mounting large mirrors, any kind of tape should never be used. Mirror clasps can be found at any home improvement store or hardware store. The clasps are much more safe than tape & won’t ruin any drywall.