Aluminum is a maligned material. Its cheap, shiny cousin lead continues to have an image problem. The metal’s association with leaded paint has left it with a bad reputation for being cheap and nasty. But that’s not the whole story. In fact, aluminum is now so popular that there’s even an annual festival celebrating it!
Aluminium is a lightweight, affordable and accessible material that comes in many different finishes and can be used in a range of different home projects. There are so many ways you can use aluminum around your home to improve its functionality, style, and comfort.
Read on to find out more about how you can add aluminum to your home for better cleaning, food prep, storage, and more.
Food Storage
Aluminium foil is a cheap and effective way to preserve food by sealing it from the outside environment. It minimises the amount of oxygen in contact with the food which prevents spoilage. The high reflectivity of aluminium foil also helps prevent drying out of the food.
As aluminium is light, durable, and non-reactive, your food will not pick up any metallic flavor or coloration. Additionally, aluminium is naturally anti-bacterial which means it can help to keep food fresher for longer periods of time. So, the next time you want to wrap food in a plastic bag, choose aluminum foil instead.
Water Stains Removal
If water has been sitting on a surface for a while, it usually leaves behind discoloration and spots. While you may be tempted to scrub the area clean, this can often do more damage than good. Instead, try using aluminium foil to lift off water stains.
To use the foil, simply place it over the area that you are trying to clean. Rub the foil back and forth in a circular motion on the stain. The discoloration will begin to lift off of the surface, leaving it shiny and clean. Aluminum foil can leave behind dark spots, so it is important to rinse the surface with water and wipe dry immediately. This cleaning method is most effective, for example, on mirrors, glass doors, or shower doors.
Polish Handles and Knobs
One of the best ways to polish your handles and knobs is by using aluminium foil. Simply wrap the foil around the handle or knob and rub it in a circular motion using your fingers or a rubber pad. When the surface is shiny, remove the aluminium foil and discard it. Your handles and knobs will be smooth, glossy, and free of scratches. If necessary, repeat the process until you reach the desired result. The whole process is incredibly simple and only takes a few seconds!
Line Your Baking Trays With Aluminium Foil For Easy Cleanup
Another great use for aluminum foil is lining baking trays. This will make it far easier to clean up after baking. Simply line the baking sheet with aluminum foil. After baking, simply toss out the aluminum foil and clean the baking sheet as normal. This is a great way to save yourself time and energy when cleaning up after baking.
Keep Bananas Fresh Longer
Inexpensive and versatile, the banana is one of the most common fruits. It’s also one of the quickest to go bad. If you buy a bunch of bananas at once, you might be wondering how to keep them fresh for as long as possible. And here too, alumnium foil will come in handy!
The thin layer of aluminum-foil on a banana can help slow down oxidization, which is the browning effect caused by enzymes in the fruit that react with oxygen in the air. The thin layer of aluminum foil on a banana can also protect it from any punctures that would otherwise allow air in and cause browning. When you wrap your bananas in aluminum foil, make sure to seal it tightly so there are no holes or openings. Otherwise, you’ll defeat the whole purpose of using aluminum foil to keep your bananas fresh.
Bottom Line
Aluminum is an incredibly useful metal. It can be used for a wide variety of things, ranging from cleaning to food storage. In addition, it is very cheap and can be found in almost any store. No matter what you need, aluminum will have the solution!
