The Most Important Place To Use Aluminum Foil That You're Probably Missing

Aluminum foil is usually used to cover leftovers. According to Hueck Foils, many people rely on it to seal food because it protects food from light, moisture, bacteria, and gases. It also seals in odors to keep your refrigerator smelling fresh. In addition, aluminum foil can also take any shape you desire, making it great for fitting around bowls and plates.

However, while aluminum foil can seal food, it's also useful for other household tasks. HuffPost says this material is great for cleaning the grill because it can withstand high temperatures. You can also use it to scrub kitchen pots or remove rust. Moreover, you can throw a ball of foil into the dryer to reduce static cling during a dry cycle. But there's another use for aluminum foil that you probably aren't aware of. This hack will save you money and can probably be completed with items you already have in your home. 

Aluminum foil can be used to polish silver. While you could always use a silver cleaner, aluminum foil, baking soda, and water is an easy and effective way to polish your silverware and other silver items. According to Everbrite Coatings, some of the benefits of choosing aluminum foil over a silver cleaner include that it is cost effective, better for the environment, and may save you a trip to the store. The first step is to wrap the silver item in aluminum foil. Then, in a container large enough to hold the item, mix hot water and a couple tablespoons of baking soda. The time it takes to polish the silver will depend on how tarnished the piece is, so check regularly for progress. Once the tarnish transfers to the foil, unwrap the item, rinse, and dry with a soft towel. 

Similarly, you could also place the aluminum foil in the bottom of a pot instead of wrapping it around your silver piece, per Love To Know. Then, fill the pot with 3 inches of water, a teaspoon of baking soda, and a small amount of salt. After bringing the water to a rolling boil, place your silver pieces in the mixture for about three minutes. Once the tarnish is removed, rinse and dry the pieces. 

According to Love To Know, to maintain your silver, keep it away from rubber, salad dressing, vinegar, eggs, juice, or any highly acidic foods or other substances. Also silver will tarnish when exposed to light or sulfur, so it will need to be regularly cleaned. But cleaning your pieces too frequently can also cause damage. To maintain your silver, only clean it about two to six times per year, depending on how quickly it tarnishes.

After cleaning your silver, there are a few easy ways to keep it nice and sparkly. One tip is to store your silver in anti-tarnish bags with a piece of chalk inside. The chalk will absorb any moisture from the air, which will keep your pieces from tarnishing. Also, be sure to store your pieces in a cool and dry place. Interestingly, friction slows down the process of tarnishing. Therefore, the more you wear your silver jewelry, the slower it will tarnish.