16 Genius Ways To Repurpose Aluminum Foil Around Your Home

What would we do without aluminum foil? It's a handy tool in the kitchen for covering leftovers, keeping dishes warm, and for placing under messy meats to make cleaning up a breeze. Let's face it, aluminum foil can also be much easier to use than plastic wrap, — since it tears off much smoother and doesn't end up in a frustrating ball. Yet, there are so many more reasons to love it that go beyond its typical uses.

There are brilliant aluminum foil hacks for the kitchen, but also ones for the living room, garden, laundry room, and more. It's non-toxic and can help make chores easier, silver brighter, and even keep pests at bay. And, with the many hats that foil can wear, it's actually pretty inexpensive in regards to what you get for your buck. Plus, it can sometimes be cleaned up and repurposed for other tasks, which helps with saving money as well. So, grab a roll (or several) because foil can really work wonders around the house.

Dryer sheets and balls help with reducing static, leaving your clothes cling-free. But if you don't have any on hand — foil is an excellent solution. Simply crumple some into balls about the size of your fist and toss them into the dryer. They will help improve airflow, battle static, and even cut down on drying time. Naturally, they won't add a lovely scent, but they're also a chemical-free and reusable alternative that gets the job done. Keep in mind any dryer balls (including these) can be a little noisy bouncing around in the dryer.

Watching birds in your yard can be peaceful. However, they can be a huge nuisance if you have fruit trees or a veggie garden, since they won't mind helping themselves. Solve this problem by cutting aluminum foil into strips, then hanging them around your trees, shrubs, and vegetable patch. When the birds spot the foil, they'll be scared off by the flashing light it creates — which in turn keeps all your edibles safe. It's an inexpensive and humane way to let them know to keep their beaks off.

When it's hot outside, the sun can blaze through your windows and make it feel warmer inside. If you're in need of a quick and easy solution, aluminum foil can help. Since it's reflective, it can be hung on windows to help keep the heat out. Start by tearing off a sheet of foil, then rub it with a damp sponge. Press it on the window and it should stick. Use as many sheets as you need to completely cover the window. It might not be the best look — but it should work like a charm.

Moving furniture around the room can be a big hassle that leads to aches and pains — especially if it's on carpet. If you don't have any special sliders to help, grab some aluminum foil instead. Place pieces of foil under the legs of your furniture, making sure the shiny side is facing up. Now, give it another try! It should make sliding things like couches across the carpet less difficult. Just remember to still be careful.

If your metal cookware is left with stubborn, caked-on food — allow aluminum foil to be your superhero. Take a sheet and crunch it up into a ball that can be used like a scrubber. Add soap and water, and you'll be able to clean your pots and pans with ease — instead of it being an annoying chore. Be aware that you can't use this trick for non-stick cookware, since the foil's sharp edges will damage the surface. It does work great, however, on cast iron pans and ones without a non-stick coating.

We've all been there, you have a battery-operated item like a remote and for some reason, it's just not working. One reason could have to do with the springs inside the battery compartment, which can lose their strength over time, and in turn, the batteries become loose. Fortunately, this can be a quick fix with some foil, allowing you to get back to whatever show you were watching. Simply fold up a tiny piece of the foil and put it inside the compartment, in between the batteries and springs. Problem solved.

If you're about to paint the interior of your home, and want to keep your doorknobs from getting messy, grab some aluminum foil. It's very easy to mold over small fixtures, like handles, hinges, and locks. What's great is that it stays put while you paint, keeping everything free of drips. When you're all done — it can be removed just as easily. This can definitely come in handy, if you don't have any painter's tape on hand. For an added tip, you might want to check out stunning paint trends to keep your home's interior fresh.

Your pet might adore your houseplants just as much as you do. To stop them from digging in the soil, spread a layer of aluminum foil on top of the dirt. This will protect your plants and teach pets to stay away. It's a technique that you can use anywhere you don't want your pets hanging out, like on the couch. They won't want to walk across the foil, as it'll feel odd and make a crunchy sound. If you keep the foil on long enough, they'll avoid the spot all together.

Knives and scissors get dull after lots of use, which can take the fun out of cooking and crafting. But you can easily give them new life by sharpening them with aluminum foil. Roll out a long piece of foil and fold it 4-5 times. Now, cut through the thick square with your knives and scissors to get them sharp again. It's not only easy, but an inexpensive solution too.

As we know, accidents are a part of life. If you have a small child or a pet that sometimes wets the bed, you can protect your mattress with some sheets of foil. Now, a waterproof mattress cover is probably best, but this is a clever trick if you need a quick alternative. Cover the entire mattress with a layer or two of foil, then top it with a blanket or towel to provide some thickness. Finally, put the sheet back on. If an accident does happen — the mattress should be safe.

A big basket of wrinkled shirts doesn't have to look so daunting if you have some aluminum foil on hand. By adding some to the ironing board, you can actually reduce the time it usually takes to finish. Just lay a piece on top of the board, (shiny side up) then replace the cover. When you iron, the heat will be reflected back thanks to the foil — helping speed up the whole process. Imagine how nice it will be to cross that chore off your list sooner!

Similar to cleaning your dirty pots and pans, aluminum foil can be an excellent tool for scouring the grill as well. Crunch up a piece of heavy-duty foil into a thick ball and head to the grill. Scrub the grates to remove leftover food, grease, and grime. The texture of the foil will help you get into the nooks and crannies with ease. When you're done, take a wet cloth and give the grill a wipe down. Now, when you're looking to barbeque, it'll be clean as a whistle.

Pests like squirrels love nothing more than climbing your fruit trees to enjoy a free meal. Say "No" by wrapping the trunks with layers of aluminum foil. Make sure it's snug, but it shouldn't be overly tight. Critters will have a hard time holding onto the foil, stopping them from climbing the trees. It'll also prevent pests like rabbits, mice, and voles from chewing on the bark during the colder months. As mentioned before, foil is a kitchen staple you'll want to use all over the garden.

Not everyone has a funnel laying around, but there are times when one would sure come in handy. For example, if you're trying to transfer a cleaning product into a different bottle, all you have to do is whip up your own funnel with some aluminum foil. Start by folding over a large sheet of foil so it's thicker, then form a cone shape, and say goodbye to spills!

Aluminum foil is wonderful for all kinds of art projects that would be fun whether it's a rainy day or not. Since it's easy to fold, you can form adorable Christmas ornaments out of it, or small flowers to attach to birthday cards. You can even cover a wooden picture frame with foil — then glue on small gems for more of an upgrade. With its shiny silver surface, it can add beauty to many things if you're willing to think creatively.

Jewelry can start looking a little dull after a while, requiring some TLC to revive it. You can easily do this at home with 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 cup of boiling water, and aluminum foil. Begin by lining a container with the foil (shiny side up), then add in the baking soda and water. Place your tarnished jewelry in the container and let it soak. Finally, dry the pieces with a soft towel.