Here are some uses for aluminum foil that you won’t find listed on the label.:
In the kitchen
1. Rescue brown sugar
Rock hard brown sugar?
Remove it from the package and wrap it in some foil. Next, bake it in the oven for about 5 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Now it’s softened and ready to be used.
2. DIY piping bag
Hate washing those hard to clean piping bags?
Create one out of aluminum foil, then toss it away when you’re done…no muss, no fuss!
3. Keep bananas fresh
Wrap the top of the peel to help your bananas stay fresh longer. Doing this can reduce the impact of the fruit’s release of ethylene gas that leads to ripening.
4. Pop popcorn
Before microwave popcorn, there was “Jiffy-Pop” brand popcorn which came in a sturdy aluminum wrapper. You can make your own version using oil and popcorn kernels in a cast-iron skillet. Simply place the oil and popcorn in the skillet, cover it with heavy duty aluminum foil, turn on the heat and watch your corn pop.
5. Keep your veggies fresh and crisp
Have you ever had to use more than one or two stalks of celery in a recipe?
Didn’t think so…
Unless you have rabbits – or eat like one yourself – the next time you reach for some celery you’ll probably pull out a limp (or worse, rotted) vegetable.
Wrap your veggies in aluminum foil to help them stay fresh longer.
6. Silverware saver
Tarnished silver can be quickly cleaned with aluminum foil – here’s how:
- ⬥ Spread a sheet of aluminum foil on the bottom of a pan. Add cold water plus two teaspoons of salt. Next, submerge your silverware completely.
- ⬥ After just a few minutes remove your silverware; you’ll see the tarnish has vanished!
Next, line your cutlery drawer with aluminum and you won’t have to worry about tarnished cutlery again.
7. Use as a shelf liner
Aluminum foil can be used to line drawers and cabinets too. The benefits are:
- ⬥ it’s easy to clean
- ⬥ it’s fast and easy to replace when needed and
- ⬥ its shiny, reflective surface can help to see the dark recesses of your cabinets
8. Disposable scrubber
Ball up some aluminum foil then use it to scrub your cast-iron pans and/or grill.
Simply spray on some vinegar, let sit for a few minutes, then scrub away the mess with your newly created disposable scrubber. Note: Use this method to remove rust too!
9. Funnel
If you don’t have a funnel handy, aluminum foil works in a pinch. Just shape it into a cone, folding the edges over to provide strength.
Around the house
10. Iron faster
Line the bottom of your ironing board with foil; it will reflect heat onto the back of your clothes, helping to speed up your ironing.
11. Use as dryer sheets
Ball up some aluminum foil and toss in with your clothes to help them stay static-free.
12. Extend your soap life
No, we’re not talking daytime dramas, here.
To keep your bar soap from disintegrating faster, set it on some aluminum foil.
13. Use when repairing jeans
Ever iron a patch onto your favorite pair of jeans only to have it stick to the other side of the pants?
You can avoid having this happen by sticking some foil inside the pants before you iron on the patch.
14. Flashlight repair
If you’ve ever had to toss a flashlight or other battery-powered device because the springs wore out, aluminum foil can help. Just stuff some aluminum foil between the spring and the battery. This will help to keep the batteries in place while allowing power to pass through to the switch.
15. Boost your wifi
Extend the strength of your wifi signal with aluminum foil. Fold it into a 4” x 6” rectangle, and curve the shiny surface inward. Set it behind the router to help expand your wifi’s reach.
16. Heal burns
Burns are no fun. If you’ve got a small burn, use aluminum foil to help it heal. Put the shiny side towards your burn and let it sit for fifteen to twenty minutes. By the time you remove the foil the pain should be gone.
17. Hide a credit card
Wrap your credit card in aluminum foil to deflect any thieves attempting to steal your information through its RFID chip.
In the great outdoors
18. Grow seed starts
Line a box with aluminum foil before placing your seedlings into it to amplify the light source you’re using.
19. Easy paint clean-up
A couple of easy ways to simplify your life when painting:
- ⬥ wrap doorknobs with aluminum foil (much better option than using painter’s tape)
- ⬥ line your paint tray with foil, then toss the paint when you’re done.
20. Frighten birds
While everyone loves birds, if you have fruit trees you might not want them hanging about and gorging themselves on your harvest.
Hang aluminum foil strips in the tree to scare them away and save your fruit.
What are your favorite ways to use aluminum foil? Let us know on our Facebook or Instagram pages.
