Rusty Radiator? Pinterest's Aluminum Foil Hack Will Leave It Looking Brand New

Over time, radiators can begin to look a little rusty. Rust can definitely be an eyesore, especially if you have a white or silver model. Plus, if it's left alone, rust will eventually start to impact the workings of the radiator itself, both in how well it heats a room and how it attaches to the wall. If you have tried to use just water to clean away the rust, you've probably been left disappointed. However, Pinterest users found an unlikely hack. By adding aluminum foil into the mix, you should be left with a rust-free radiator. 

Rust occurs when the metal of your radiator reacts naturally with oxygen and water. It usually appears as a red or orange stain and can happen to both new and old appliances. While regular cleaning is important, it doesn't always stop rust from appearing as time goes on. By following the steps below, you can give your radiator a makeover by removing all of the rust spots that have built up over the years.

Fill up a bowl with water and grab a roll of aluminum foil and a cloth. To remove rusty patches from your radiator, first ensure it is turned off and cool to the touch so you don't burn yourself. Then, grab the aluminum foil and scrunch a couple of pieces into ball shapes. Dip the foil balls into the water but don't submerge them. Otherwise, you'll be dripping water onto the floor beneath your radiator. Scrub the rusty areas firmly with the foil until the mark has disappeared. Remember to dry off the radiator well before turning it back on.

The way this hack works is that when combined, foil and water create a substance called aluminum oxide, which then works against the rust to remove it. If foil and water alone aren't enough, you might have better luck adding ketchup to the mix. Adding a small amount of ketchup has surprising cleaning benefits. Apply it to the rusted area and work it in using the foil as a scrubbing agent. Wipe down the radiator with water and a cloth afterward to get rid of any lingering smell and then dry as usual. It may seem like a strange addition, but ketchup could work by breaking down the carbon found in rusty metal. Combined with the foil, this will then help to banish rust.