The Foil Hack People Are Using In Their Freezers (& Why Our Expert Warns To Avoid It)

There are many aluminum foil hacks that will give you a cleaner home, from balling the metal sheet into a dish scour to making an ashtray for the fireplace. Now, some blogs recommend using foil to line your freezer. The hack makes it so ice buildup will form on the foil instead of the freezer walls and shelves. You simply remove the foil and all the ice, making cleanup a breeze; there's no more scraping or defrosting. 

This hack sounds too good to be true, and when that's the case, it often is. In an exclusive House Digest interview, we spoke to Kathy Cohoon, the operations manager at Two Maids, to find out if this aluminum foil hack was worth the effort. According to the expert, it might work, but you're better off trying a different method to keep your freezer frost-free. 

"The main advantage of using aluminum foil is that it might catch some frost, which could potentially make cleaning a bit easier in the short term," Cohoon said. However, she explained that there are more drawbacks than benefits, including "potentially causing more clutter inside your freezer." If there is frost buildup within the appliance, you want to address the root of the issue, not reach for the aluminum foil. And for when it's time to clean inside the appliance, Cohoon shared how to do so effectively. 

"While the idea of using aluminum foil to catch ice and frost might sound clever, it isn't particularly effective," Kathy Cohoon exclusively told House Digest. "The foil can tear easily and might not stay in place, leading to more mess." That defeats the entire purpose of this hack. You might still end up with frost on the walls or shelves, along with foil to clean up. There are tricks to help quickly defrost your freezer, but lining it with aluminum foil isn't one of them. "Plus, it doesn't address the underlying issue causing the frost buildup," Cohoon added. Your appliance shouldn't be collecting ice to the point that you feel the need to try this technique.

"Ice/frost usually accumulates due to frequent door openings, faulty door seals, or placing warm food inside the freezer," Cohoon explained. "These factors introduce moisture, which then freezes and builds up over time." Addressing these issues can decrease the amount of ice buildup inside your freezer, which will make cleaning the appliance easier. That might be a better investment of your time and resources than lining the cooling box with aluminum foil, especially since accumulating frost can take up space inside your freezer, throw off the appliance's temperature, and cause freezer-burnt foods. Then, when it's time to deep-clean your freezer, you can do it like a professional.

Even though we're not lining our freezers with aluminum foil, cleaning the appliance doesn't have to be a hassle. One hack is to blow the ice with a hair dryer on the highest heat setting. But Kathy Cohoon exclusively told House Digest, "The best way to clean a freezer is to first be sure to unplug it and remove all the food. Let the ice melt naturally, which can be sped up by placing bowls of hot water inside to create steam."  

Once the large chunks are thawed, Cohoon added, "use a plastic spatula to gently scrape off any remaining ice, but be sure to never use sharp objects as they can damage the freezer. Once the ice is gone, clean the interior with a mixture of warm water and baking soda, then dry it thoroughly before plugging it back in and returning the food."

The process is simple, and defrosting any buildup is a passive step as you wait for it to thaw. But remember, you want to address why ice and frost are forming in your freezer in the first place so the appliance can run efficiently. Then, you can cut down on cleaning time. So save the foil for another hack around the house, like lining your fridge shelves.