Old household tricks are not out of fashion – especially when they involve a piece of kitchen magic called aluminum foil. In an age where we are constantly being told that we absolutely need the latest smart gadget (that can clean the kitchen, iron your shirts, and tell you when Mercury is retrograde), it's refreshing to discover that grandma's trick still has magical powers. And no, this is not a joke. So - the aluminum foil dishwasher trick!
The aluminum foil trick in the dishwasher isn't new, but it's forgotten! It's so old household tricks they're not back to the old ways yet – especially if they involve a piece of kitchen magic that we call aluminum foilIn an age where we're constantly being told that we absolutely need the latest smart device (that can clean the kitchen, iron your shirts, and tell you when Mercury is retrograde), it's refreshing to discover that grandma's trick still has magical powers. And no, this is not a joke.
The aluminum foil trick in the dishwasher! What happens if you put aluminum foil in the dishwasher?
One of those “retro” tricks that also won TikTok (of course, because nowadays it is almost impossible to do without it), includes – believe it or not – the usual crumpled aluminum foil and your dishwasher. This isn't some new conspiracy theory or a secret message from outer space. It's a trick that can make your cutlery shine like it just came off the cover of a cooking magazine.
And while it sounds like something you'd hear from your aunt at Sunday lunch, enthusiastic users around the web have some pretty dazzling evidence in their defense.
How does the aluminum foil trick work?
The secret? As always – chemistry.
When you put a ball of crumpled aluminum foil (no artistic sculptures, please—a ball is fine) in the dishwasher, it triggers a mild electrochemical process during the wash cycle. This is said to help remove the sulfide that tends to stick to silverware, making your fork look like a “Fine Dining for Instagram” prop again. Definitely the best aluminum foil in the dishwasher.”
Important: This trick works best with metal utensils – silver or stainless steel. If you have utensils made of softer or coated materials, you may want to skip it. Unless you’re going for a “vintage distressed” look.
What do housewife influencers say?
This trick is experiencing a real revival on TikTok and Instagram. Hashtags like #AluFoilHack and #DishwasherTrick have already racked up millions of views. Housewives (and housewives, of course) report that their utensils shine like teeth in a whitening toothpaste commercial after this “foil operation.”
Some even swear that the rest of the dishes are cleaner after washing with aluminum foil – but here, scientists would probably just roll their eyes and say, “Well, yeah.”
In any case, the effect is visual enough to make you set the table for Sunday lunch with pride (and a bit of theatricality).
Is the aluminum foil trick safe?
In short: Yes – if your dishwasher isn't a museum piece from the 1990s, then there's nothing to fear.
Aluminum foil is soft, won't damage internal parts, and won't interfere with operation. Just don't overdo it—one lump is enough. There's no need to make your machine look like a spaceship from a 20th-century movie.
Aluminum foil – the silent hero of modern cuisine
Who would have thought that the humble aluminum foil, usually sitting on the back shelf of a drawer, would have its five minutes of fame? Well, here we are – in the year 2025, where household tricks from the days of VHS tapes are triumphantly marching across TikTok.
So the next time you're looking at your dull cutlery and wondering how to bring it back to its former glory – try this trick. If nothing else, you'll have a reason to make another TikTok video. And who knows – you might become the new star of the housewares world.
