Using aluminum foil to line cookie sheets or to keep a steak hot while you finish getting everything ready to eat are nothing new when it comes to useful household tips. But there are many other ways to use aluminum foil you haven’t heard of -- ways that can save you time, money and effort.
Clean Silver
Line a bucket or bowl with aluminum foil. Add the silver items you want to polish into the bucket. Fill the vessel with 2 tablespoons washing soda (aka soda ash), 2 tablespoons ordinary table salt, 1 cup plain white vinegar and 2 cups boiling water. Leave the silver in the water for about 15 minutes. The tarnish that has covered your beautiful silverware is attracted to the foil, making it easier to clean the silver.Shiny Or Dull?
You have undoubtedly noticed that one side of aluminum foil is shinier than the other. Maybe you see the shiny side as the “right” side and always have it facing out. Have you ever thought about why the two sides have different finishes?According to the largest manufacturer of aluminum foil, the different appearance of each side of aluminum foil is simply a result of how it’s manufactured. The performance of the foil is the same on both sides; use it either way. The folks at Reynolds Wrap assure us that there is absolutely no difference.