20 Uses for Aluminum Foil

The 20 uses for aluminum foil can be done with brand and non-brand names. It doesn't matter, the outcome will be the same.

Aluminum foil was introduced to us in 1947 by a man named Richard S. Reynolds, and I'm sure Mr. Reynolds did not expect his product to be used in so many ways.

But as with everything else that has been introduced or created over the years, humans are always looking for more and better ways to use it, and since aluminum foil can be found in three out of four households in America today, there is no wonder why people have found it so versatile.

If you have an emergency and don't have what you need, maybe the solution can be found in the list below.

Storing Your Paint 

If you don't use all your paint - and want to keep what's left in the can - before you close it, cut out a circle of aluminum foil the size of the top, then place it on top of the paint before you seal it. The will keep that hard layer of paint skin from forming on top.

Stop Steel Wool From Rusting 

Just wrap your steel wool in the aluminum foil and put it your freezer. This prevents rust from forming.

Remove Rust From Chrome 

Crumple a piece of aluminum foil, dip in Coca-Cola then rub the rust spot. This can be used on any item that is chrome plated.

Store Your Used Wet Paint Brushes 

After using the paint brush, squeeze the excess paint out, then wrap your brush in aluminum foil and put it the freezer. When you want to use it again, just take it out of the freezer and let it thaw out.

Re-Set Linoleum Tile 

Place the aluminum foil on top of the loose tile, then iron it. The heat being conducted by the foil, will heat the tile and cause the glue underneath to melt. After you finish, place something heavy on top of the tile, until the glue dries.

Keep Pets Off Your Furniture 

Did you know that dogs and cats are afraid of the sound of crackling, rustling aluminum foil? Put a few pieces on their favorite furniture, and this will stop them from climbing on it.

Remove Starch From Your Iron 

Just run your iron back and forth over the aluminum foil until all the starch is off your iron.

Cleaning Your Camping Pots And Pans 

Make a pot scrubber by crumbling up some aluminum foil, and don't forget to take it with you. Don't leave the foil at your camp site.

Cleaning Your Grill 

When you barbecue grill is warm enough to handle, crumple up a piece of foil and use it to scrub the grill clean.

Fix Toys Run On Batteries 

If any of your child's toys have a loose battery because the spring is broke, try putting a piece of foil between the spring and the battery. This will form a connection and get that toy running again.

Tarnished Silverware Cleaner 

Get a metal cake pan and put a piece of foil in it. Run enough water in the pan to cover all your silverware, and use 2 tablespoons of baking soda for each quart of water in the pan. Heat the water until it gets above 150 degrees without boiling.

Put all your silverware in the pan, making sure they touch the foil. Then let the silverware sit until tarnish is gone. 

The action between the sulfur in the tarnish and the hydrogen in the baking soda is what removes it from the silverware.

Make Quick Work Of Ironing 

Want to speed up your ironing? Just put a sheet of foil under the ironing board cover. The foil reflects the heat of iron back through the cover and onto your clothes.

Make Your Own Paint Palette 

If you ever need to mix paints, just mix them on a piece of aluminum foil, then you can dispose of it later.

Decorative Holiday Trays 

I've used this method, and the trays were beautiful. All you have to do is cut out a piece of cardboard to the size and shape you want your tray to be. Then cover it with aluminum foil. Try adding some other decorations to make the foil really stand out.

Protection Against Paint Splatters 

If you're painting or spray painting and want to protect something from paint splatters, just cover the item with aluminum foil, door knobs, light switch, molding,etc.

Help Your Plant Cuttings 

When you want to save some of your plant cuttings, and need them to root, try placing foil over a jar of water, then put your plant cutting through the foil, into the water. This method keeps your cutting standing and it also helps the water evaporate more slowly.

Keep Your Oven Clean 

Yes, you could go out and buy an aluminum dripping pan for your oven, but why not use foil. They're both made out of aluminum and you can save yourself some money. Just place the foil on the rack below what you're cooking. If you're cooking on the bottom rack, then place the foil under the pan you're using. Do not put foil on 

the bottom of your oven.

Make A Funnel 

This funnel can be used to pour flour, rice, water, salt, sugar or whatever you need to transfer from container to a smaller opening container. Fold the aluminum foil in half, then make a cone with an opening on the bottom that fits the container you're pouring into.

Make Holiday Decorations 

If you need silver holiday decorations, then use aluminum foil to cover the objects you make, like stars, snow flakes, Christmas balls, etc.

Polish Your Chrome 

Just like removing a rust spot. If you want to shine any chrome plated item, just rub a piece of crumpled up foil over it.

Every year in the United States alone, we use at least 500 million pounds of foil containers and aluminum foil. Your are looking at 8 million miles of aluminum foil, and that's just here in the States.

Since the only way aluminum can degrade is if it is burned, which turns it into aluminum oxide, or expose it to alkaline and acids in the soil, or shred it into tiny particles that will oxidize and probably dissolve, why not reuse and recycle it for as long as you can.

I'm sure there are probably more than 20 uses for aluminum, so if you want to reuse the foil you cooked on, just wash it with soap and water, then dry it off, and it's ready to be used for other purposes. Remember, if aluminum foil isn't exposed to the items and elements above, then it can be around for thousands of years.