7 Unexpected Uses of Aluminum Foil for Home

Aluminum foil is a common item in your kitchen. It’s not just for storing food. Experts say it can be used in many ways at home for cleaning, gardening, painting and more.
Pros share seven unexpected uses for aluminum foil that are easy to try.

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Meet the Expert:

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Petya Holevich is a domestic cleaning expert and supervisor at Fantastic Services.

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Petar Ivanov is a gardening and plant expert at Fantastic Gardeners.

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Myles Robinson is the founder of UK Composite Doors.

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Wash Pots Like a Pro:

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If you have dirty pots and pans, try using aluminum foil. Petya Holevich recommends crumpling a thin piece of foil into a ball and using it with dish soap and water as a scrubber. It also works on grills and ovens.

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Sharpen Scissors:

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If your scissors are dull, fold a sheet of foil three or four times and cut through it. This can help sharpen the blades, though not as well as a designated tool.

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Polish Silver:

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To polish silver, line a container with aluminum foil, add boiling water and salt or baking soda, and place your silver items inside. The tarnish will transfer to the foil.

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Keep Pests Out of the Garden:

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Aluminum foil can protect your garden. Hang strips of foil to deter birds. Wrap the bases of trees with two layers of foil to deter rodents in winter.

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Keep Gardening Tools Rust-Free:

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No one wants rusty gardening tools.
Aluminum foil is a versatile tool that can be used in various home maintenance tasks. It can serve as a quick fix for protecting tool handles from splintering and rusting. Ivanov suggests wrapping aluminum foil around the handles of your tools when they’re not in use. This barrier prevents moisture from reaching the metal parts, keeping them in good condition.

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When it comes to home painting projects, aluminum foil can be a substitute for painter’s tape. Myles Robinson, the founder of UK Composite Doors, recommends using foil to wrap door handles while painting. It’s quicker than dealing with tape and can mold around odd angles, keeping them paint-free.

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Another practical use of aluminum foil is to prevent drafts from entering your home. Robinson advises crumpling up some foil and stuffing it into gaps around doors. This is a temporary solution that works well until a more permanent fix can be implemented.

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