Aluminum Foil Hacks: 16 Clever Uses That Save Time Around the House

Aluminum foil hacks are some of the most shared tricks online, and it is easy to see why: almost every home has a roll sitting in a kitchen drawer. One video of simple foil tricks has passed 13 million views, and new stories keep popping up, like this recent foil trick that saves your kitchen drawers. Your grandmother probably knew half of these already. Foil can scrub, protect, shape, shine and even decorate, and it costs pennies per use. With holiday baking, painting and gift wrapping season coming, now is the perfect time to put that roll to work. Here are 16 clever, safe and simple ways to use it all around the house, from the laundry room to the Christmas tree..

Aluminum Foil Hacks Worth Keeping a Roll For

Most of us only reach for foil to cover leftovers. But that shiny roll can do so much more. It can sharpen, scrub, line, shield and sparkle, and it is already paid for. The tricks below were tested by generations of thrifty home cooks and crafters, and many have gone viral all over again. None of them need special tools or harsh chemicals. Pick two or three to try this week, and you may never look at that kitchen drawer the same way again..

You will need: A roll of regular or heavy duty aluminum foil and a few household items you already own.

How to make it: 1. Keep a roll in the kitchen and a second one in the laundry room. 2. Save clean used foil for scrubbing jobs. 3. Try one new trick from this list each day.

Scrub a Cold Grill Grate With a Foil Ball

Lost your grill brush? Crumple a sheet of foil into a tight ball, grab it with long tongs and scrub the cool grate. The crinkled edges catch stuck on bits better than you would expect, and you can toss it when you are done. This is also a smart use for clean foil you saved from dinner. Always wait until the grill is fully off and cooled down first. Outdoor aluminum foil hacks like this one are perfect for fall cookouts and tailgates, when the grill gets a lot of use. Who knew the answer to a dirty grate was already in your kitchen drawer?

You will need: A large sheet of foil, long metal tongs and a damp cloth.

How to make it: 1. Make sure the grill is off and completely cool. 2. Crumple foil into a tight ball and hold it with tongs. 3. Scrub along the bars, then wipe them with a damp cloth.

Laundry Day Aluminum Foil Hacks: Static Free Dryer Balls

Static cling in winter is the worst, especially with fleece and blankets. Roll two or three sheets of foil into tight balls about the size of a tennis ball and toss them in with your wet laundry. Many people say the balls help reduce static and can be reused for months. Squeeze them hard so there are no sharp edges or loose flaps. When they start to fall apart, simply make new ones. Have you tried them with your coziest blankets yet?

You will need: Three large sheets of aluminum foil.

How to make it: 1. Crumple each sheet loosely, then press it into a tight smooth ball. 2. Roll it on the counter to smooth the surface. 3. Add two or three balls to each load of laundry.

Sharpen Dull Scissors in Seconds

Before you throw out a pair of dull craft scissors, try this. Fold a strip of foil over on itself six or eight times, then cut through it with long, full strokes. Ten or so cuts can help smooth out small nicks in the blades. It is not a replacement for professional sharpening, but it is a quick fix for wrapping paper scissors right before the holidays. Wipe the blades afterwards to remove tiny bits of foil. Of all the aluminum foil hacks here, this one may save you the most money over a year. How many dull pairs are hiding in your junk drawer?

You will need: A strip of aluminum foil, your dull scissors and a paper towel.

How to make it: 1. Fold the foil strip into a thick stack of layers. 2. Cut through it 8 to 10 times using the full length of the blades. 3. Wipe the blades clean with a paper towel.

A Drawer Liner That Wipes Clean

Utensil drawers collect crumbs, drips and sticky spots faster than any other spot in the kitchen. Line the bottom with a smooth sheet of foil and the mess wipes right off. When it gets too dirty, just pull it out and lay down a fresh sheet. It also reflects light, so the drawer looks brighter and cleaner when you open it. Foil tricks for kitchen drawers even made the news this month. Easy aluminum foil hacks like this take five minutes and make a big difference every single day. Which drawer in your kitchen needs this first?

You will need: Aluminum foil, scissors and a small strip of double sided tape.

How to make it: 1. Empty and wipe the drawer. 2. Cut foil to fit the bottom, folding the edges under for a neat finish. 3. Tape the corners down and put your utensils back.

Make a Funnel in a Pinch

Filling a spice jar or refilling a bottle with rice, beans or sugar? Roll a square of foil into a cone, pinch the bottom into a small spout and set it in the neck of the jar. It works surprisingly well and can be shaped to fit any opening. When you are done, flatten it and toss it, or rinse it and save it for next time. It is one of those simple tricks that makes you feel clever. Aluminum foil hacks like this are handy when you are baking for a crowd and every tool is already dirty. What would you fill first?

You will need: A square of heavy duty foil and the jar or bottle you want to fill.

How to make it: 1. Roll the foil into a cone shape. 2. Pinch the narrow end into a spout that fits the opening. 3. Set it in place and pour slowly.

Holiday Baking Aluminum Foil Hacks: Protect the Pie Crust

Nothing hurts more than a beautiful pie with burned edges. Cut a ring of foil that covers only the outer crust and leave the middle open. Lay it on halfway through baking, when the edges are golden, and the filling can keep cooking while the crust stays perfect. Make a few rings ahead of the holidays and reuse them for every pie this season. Thanksgiving bakers swear by this one. Are you making apple, pumpkin or pecan this year?

You will need: A square of foil larger than your pie, scissors and a pencil.

How to make it: 1. Trace a circle slightly larger than the pie on the foil. 2. Cut out the center, leaving a 3 inch wide ring. 3. Lay the ring gently over the crust edge once it turns golden.

Two Cake Flavors in One Pan

Can’t decide between chocolate and vanilla? Fold a long strip of foil into a sturdy wall, about three layers thick, and stand it across the middle of a greased pan. Pour one batter on each side and bake as usual. You get two cakes for the price of one pan, which is perfect for families who never agree. Kids love picking their side. You can even do it with brownies and blondies. It is one of the sweetest aluminum foil hacks you will ever try, and it saves on dishes too. Which two flavors would your family choose?

You will need: Heavy duty foil, a greased cake pan and two kinds of batter.

How to make it: 1. Fold foil into a long strip several layers thick. 2. Bend the ends and press the wall into the center of the pan. 3. Pour a different batter on each side at the same time and bake.

Keep the Roast Warm With a Foil Tent

Holiday dinner timing is tricky, and the turkey or roast is often done before the sides. A loose tent of foil over the meat while it rests keeps it warm and juicy without steaming the skin soggy. Just fold a large sheet in half like a tent and set it over the top without pressing it down. It also frees up the oven for the rolls. Little tricks like this make big meals feel calm. Aluminum foil hacks for the holidays are all about buying yourself a few calm minutes. What dish always finishes last at your house?

You will need: A large sheet of heavy duty foil.

How to make it: 1. Fold the foil in half to make a tent shape. 2. Set it loosely over the resting meat. 3. Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes before carving.

Painting Without the Mess

Planning to freshen up a room before guests arrive? Wrap door knobs and cabinet handles in foil so they stay clean while you paint around them. Set the open paint can on a square of foil to catch drips, and wrap your roller tray in foil for zero clean up. Foil molds to any shape, so it is faster than tape for odd hardware. When you are done, just peel it off and throw it away. Every painter we know keeps a roll of foil nearby for exactly these jobs, and it saves a lot of scrubbing. Which room are you painting before the holidays?

You will need: Aluminum foil, a roller tray and painter’s tape for flat edges.

How to make it: 1. Wrap each knob or handle tightly in foil. 2. Lay a foil square under the paint can and line the tray. 3. Peel off and toss the foil once the paint is dry.

Iron Both Sides at Once

Here is a trick many grandmothers used. Lift the fabric cover off your ironing board, lay a sheet of foil underneath and put the cover back. The foil reflects heat back into your clothes, so you are pressing from both sides at once. Shirts and tablecloths go faster, which is a gift when you have a pile of holiday linens to press. It costs almost nothing and lasts for months. Laundry room aluminum foil hacks are some of the most overlooked, yet they save real time every week. Could this be the end of your ironing pile?

You will need: A sheet of aluminum foil as long as your ironing board.

How to make it: 1. Remove the ironing board cover. 2. Lay foil over the padding, shiny side up. 3. Put the cover back on and iron as usual.

Polish Chrome Taps

Water spots and light marks on chrome taps can make a clean kitchen look tired. Crumple a small piece of foil, dip it in water and gently rub the chrome. The soft foil can lift spots without scratching most shiny chrome. Rinse and buff dry with a soft cloth for a mirror shine. Test a small hidden spot first, and skip brushed metal, gold tone or plastic finishes. It is a nice last minute trick before guests arrive. Ready to make your sink sparkle?

You will need: A small piece of foil, a bowl of water and a soft dry cloth.

How to make it: 1. Crumple the foil and dip it in water. 2. Rub the chrome gently in small circles. 3. Rinse and buff dry with the cloth.

Aluminum Foil Hacks Start With the Right Roll

Not all foil is the same. Regular foil is thin and easy to fold, which makes it great for crafts, liners and dryer balls. Heavy duty foil is thicker and stronger, so it is better for tents over a roast, cake pan dividers and funnels. Keep both if you can. You will waste less, because the right foil does the job on the first try. If you love finding new jobs for old staples, our old school household hacks gallery is full of them. Which roll do you usually grab?

You will need: One roll of regular foil and one roll of heavy duty foil.

How to make it: 1. Use regular foil for crafts and liners. 2. Use heavy duty foil for anything that has to hold its shape. 3. Store both rolls together so you can choose quickly.

Foil Star Ornaments for the Tree

Before glitter and plastic, many families decorated with homemade foil stars, and they still look magical under tree lights. Cut a star from cardboard, wrap it in foil and press the foil gently so it crinkles and catches the light. You can twist thin strips into snowflakes too. Kids can help with almost every step, and a dozen stars cost next to nothing. Hang them with red thread for a vintage look. Who in your family would love to make these with you?

You will need: Cardboard, aluminum foil, scissors, glue stick and red thread.

How to make it: 1. Cut star shapes from cardboard. 2. Wrap each star in foil and smooth it around the points. 3. Poke a small hole at the top and tie on a loop of thread.

Embossed Foil Christmas Cards

Foil makes handmade cards look fancy. Lay a piece of foil on a folded towel and draw on it with a blunt pencil or an empty ballpoint pen. The lines press into the foil and create a raised pattern. Cut out a tree, a star or a snowflake and glue it onto red or kraft cardstock. Each one turns out a little different, which is the charm. Write a short note inside and you have a card people keep. Crafty aluminum foil hacks like this one turn a cheap roll into something people treasure for years. Who is getting the first one?

You will need: Aluminum foil, a folded towel, a blunt pencil or empty pen, scissors, glue and cardstock.

How to make it: 1. Draw your design on foil placed on a soft towel. 2. Cut out the shape, leaving a small border. 3. Glue it onto folded cardstock and add a message.

Festive Aluminum Foil Hacks: Mirror Gift Wrap

Ran out of wrapping paper on Christmas Eve? Wrap gifts in foil. It folds crisply, holds its shape without much tape and looks modern and shiny under the tree. Add a red velvet ribbon, a little twine and a sprig of pine, and nobody will guess it came from the kitchen drawer. It is perfect for odd shaped gifts too, because foil molds around anything. Do you think your family will notice the foil, or just the bows?

You will need: Aluminum foil, ribbon, twine, clear tape and a sprig of pine or berries.

How to make it: 1. Wrap the gift in foil, folding the ends like paper. 2. Smooth the surface with your hand for a mirror look. 3. Tie with ribbon and tuck in a sprig of greenery.