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The Many Uses of Aluminum Foil

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Category: Home Decor

Aluminum foil is a staple of the kitchen, but Carter Oosterhouse demonstrates how it can be used in ways you may not have imagined. Its shininess makes it a great gift wrap alternative, while it can also be used to create unique greeting cards. Its pliable nature is great for creating art, and it can come in handy in the garden, as well. Find out about more creative and constructive uses of foil here.

Step 1: Unique Gift Wrap
Try using foil as an alternative to gift wrap. It's shininess makes it fun and festive.

Step 2: Greeting Cards
Make an interesting greeting card by taking a leaf, gluing it to some foil and pressing down. The texture of the leaf will come through and make a pretty pattern. Or, try placing foil on a card and pressing down with the back of a marker to write something special.

Step 3: Fun for Kids
Instead of Play-Doh, let your kids have fun with aluminum foil. Its pliable properties allow it to be molded into any shape, so you can let your kids' imaginations run wild!

Step 4: Foil in the Garden
Foil is handy in the garden, too. Wrap it around the base of a tomato plant to protect it from cutworms. This will work on many other kinds of plants, too. Mix it with mulch to keep slugs away, or wrap it around tree trunks to deter rodents from chewing on the bark.

Step 5: Barbecue Helper
Aluminum foil works just like steel wool to clean a dirty barbecue. You can also use it to create a packet for veggies, so they don't get charred on the grill.

Step 6: Kitchen-Friendly Foil
Foil can be wrapped in a cone shape to make a fast funnel or handy piping bag. Try using aluminum foil to polish up cutlery, knives or pots. Crinkle it into a ball and scrub away. Need to sharpen your scissors? Take six or seven sheets of foil and cut through with your dull shears for a quick fix.

Step 7: Easy Polisher
Aluminum foil can help clean tarnished silver, too. Place your silver in a glass or bowl on top of a piece of foil. Add salt and baking soda before pouring in some hot water. A chemical reaction between the water, soda and salt will occur, which will remove the tarnish and transfer it to the foil. Leave your silver in for 15 minutes and you'll be amazed at the transformation.

Items You'll Need for this GMC Trade Secret

  • Aluminum Foil
  • Leaves
  • Marker
  • Glue
  • Salt
  • Baking Soda

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625 Comments

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Candy Colin

Wow!! Thanks for all the really cool idea's.
Some I have used myself. Will put them into action.

January 23 2012 at 1:39 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bantmel

Great suggestion on the use of aluminum as a gift wrap and greeting cards! Thanks!

November 24 2011 at 11:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mark

I wear it as a suit and helmit to protect myself from both the submission rays beamed on us by the government and the death rays aimed at us by the martians. It keeps people from bothering me all the time too.

November 14 2011 at 6:52 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Mark's comment
Debbie

Mark, as a nurse I am concerned about the way you described using aluminum foil to protect your self from submission rays and death rays. If you seriously believe in the submission rays and death rays then that sounds quite alot like a serious mental illness. If this is the case you need to see your Dr. ASAP. You may really believe this is happening to you but it is definetely not reality and you need help. If you made those statements in jest and to be funny please forgive my false interpretation of your statements. Have a nice day.

April 14 2012 at 5:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ghetto Cat

Those seem a bit silly. It's best application is that it covers windows and you can sleep during the day, lol.

November 13 2011 at 10:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
irishsal10

haven't recent studies shown a connection between Alzheimers and aluminum foil?!!

November 13 2011 at 10:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Gumby

I save all used aluminium foils and hammer it into a ball or a cube... It is amazing how much foil I add, it doesnt grow as big as I hoped.. Then I toss it out in my yard as a curiousity.

November 13 2011 at 10:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
STEVE

Aluminum foil is really good to scare off the birds and squirrels who get in your garden. Just cut out a few squares and glue them to a stick or piece of wood and place them around your garden and the critters will stay out of it. I don't know if it's because they see their reflection in the foil or because it shines in the sun. But, I know it works. Good luck.

November 13 2011 at 10:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
hdvh56

Republican top hats?

November 13 2011 at 10:13 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
planetwires

sunblock

November 13 2011 at 10:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Stef The Best

You don't NEED a written print!!! Just take the little heart at the top of this line, and drag it to the heart to the right of your aol screen. You will be able to watch the video as much as you want, or just write them down yourself!!!!. But yeah, you may need one if you're deaf...

November 13 2011 at 10:06 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply

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