The Aluminum Foil Hack That'll Keep Your Outdoor Equipment Running Smoothly

Metal surfaces are prone to rusting, thanks to moisture mixing with oxygen. Unfortunately, this can wreak havoc on outdoor equipment, such as bicycles, skateboards, and more. It can also be problematic for gardening equipment or anything else exposed to the elements. Although storing these items in a shed or garage is ideal, it's not always possible. And sometimes we forget to bring our outdoor items inside. Thankfully, you can undo the adverse effects of rust with nothing more than aluminum foil and some water. You'll also need a clean, dry rag to remove the excess rusty water.

Entry-level bikes can cost as much as $500, with more expensive bicycles costing thousands. You need to protect your investment; the same goes for any other outdoor items you and your kids have. Otherwise, you're spending money replacing metal objects once rust ruins them. Take skateboards, for example. When rust takes a strong foothold on its trucks (the part that connects the wheels to the deck), the surface can become brittle, affecting how well your skateboard functions. The same goes for bikes. But aluminum foil is a fast, affordable, and easy way of removing rust and protecting the integrity of your outdoor items. 

To carry out this genius hack, grab a piece of aluminum foil. You can even use an old piece of foil from yesterday's leftovers — just give it a quick rinse to remove any food debris. Next, crumple it into a ball, dip it in water, and scrub any rusty metal surfaces needing a makeover. You'll see the water quickly become dirty. This is where your clean rag comes into play. Wipe away any rusty water and repeat the process until your outdoor items are rust-free (or close). The reason why you should be using aluminum foil to remove rust from metal is simple: aluminum foil reacts with rust, sloughing it away while preventing more from accumulating. This is because it adds a protective coating of oxide to any metal it touches.

Although this incredible hack can remove rust, you can also take steps to prevent it from forming in the first place. For example, if your bike, skateboard, rollerskates, and more become wet, wipe them down once you finish using them. Next, store them somewhere dry. If you don't have a shed or garage, consider strapping a tarp around these items to help protect them from the elements. You can also use aluminum foil to clean outdoor furniture, making this a hack that pulls double duty. If you don't have any aluminum foil handy, you can purchase a roll at Dollar Tree for $1.25.