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Household Hacks & Cleaning · Apr 21, 2022 edition

Remove Rust and Tarnish With Aluminum Foil

From the Genius House Hacks archive.

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Aluminum foil is a pantry staple for wrapping leftovers and lining drip pans, but it also comes in handy for cleaning. The thought of cleaning rust with aluminum foil might sound strange, but the material is well known for bringing the shine back to chrome and metal.

Remove Rust From Tools and Chrome

Tear off a strip of aluminum foil and dip it in water. Gently rub the wet foil on rusted spots, re-wetting or swapping in a fresh piece as it dries out. Every so often, wipe away loosened rust with a dry microfiber cloth, and repeat until the rust is gone. Finish by buffing with a clean microfiber cloth and applying a coat of wax or polish to prevent future rust buildup.

Clean Tarnish Off Silverware

Line a glass baking dish with aluminum foil, shiny side up. Combine 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of sea salt and sprinkle it into the dish, then add 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar (it will fizz against the baking soda). Carefully add enough boiling water to submerge the silverware, then place the pieces in a single layer so each one touches the foil. Let soak 30 seconds to 3 minutes depending on how heavy the tarnish is, then use tongs to remove the silverware and dry and buff it with a microfiber cloth.

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