Old household tricks are never out of fashion—especially when they involve a piece of kitchen magic called aluminum foil. In an age where we're constantly being told we need the latest gadget to keep our homes sparkling clean, it's refreshing (and, let's face it, pretty fun) to discover that grandma's trick still holds true.
One of these “retro” tricks, which has also taken social media by storm, involves – believe it or not – plain aluminum foil and your dishwasher. No, it's not a new conspiracy theory. It's an actual trick that can help you get shinier cutlery. And while it may sound like an urban legend, quite a few users have some pretty shiny evidence in their defense.
How does the aluminum foil trick work?
The secret is in the chemistry. When you place a ball of crumpled aluminum foil in the dishwasher—it's recommended to place it in the cutlery drawer—a mild electrochemical process is created during the wash cycle. This is said to help remove the sulfide that builds up on silverware, making your fork look like it's on the cover of a food magazine again.
Important: This trick works best with real metal – i.e. silver or stainless steel. If you have cutlery made of softer or coated materials, don't experiment – unless you've always dreamed of a "vintage" look.
What do housewife influencers say?
This trick is experiencing a real revival on TikTok and Instagram. Videos tagged #AluFoilHack and #DishwasherTrick have a combined million views. Housewives (and housewives, of course) report that this trick makes their utensils shine like a reality TV star.
Some even swear that the rest of the dishes seem cleaner too – but scientists would probably roll their eyes at this. In any case, the effect is at least visually enough to make you proud to set the table for Sunday lunch.
Is the aluminum foil trick safe?
Generally – yes. If your dishwasher is not from the days when CDs were still spinning, then this trick should work without any problems. Aluminum foil will not damage the machine, as it is soft enough and does not interfere with its operation. Of course, common sense applies – one piece of foil is enough. Your machine does not have to look like a sandwich wrapper from a space mission.
Aluminum foil as a small miracle of everyday life
Who would have thought that the humble tin foil, usually sitting on the back shelf of a kitchen drawer, would ever get its five minutes of fame? But here we are – in the year 2025, where household tricks from the past are being used to make VHS tapes are returning with a new, digital enthusiasm.
So the next time you're wondering how to restore your cutlery to its former glory after lunch – try this simple trick. If nothing else, you'll have a good reason for another TikTok video.
