Why Are People Putting Aluminum Foil in Their Dishwasher? 

The latest viral cleaning hack involves tossing balls of aluminum foil into the dishwasher. We know, crazy, but bear with us here. If the proponents are to be believed, the bizarre move helps make your silverware gleam like never before, which sounds good to us since hard water stains, tarnish, and rust can do in even the nicest set of utensils. The trick is to crumple clean foil and tuck it into the utensil basket of your dishwasher (if it isn’t secured, it will float around the dishwasher, negating any benefits) before running your machine on a regular cycle with detergent. So, does it work? And if so, how exactly does it help keep that shine? Here’s what we learned.

Does it Work?

Like so many #CleanTok hacks on TikTok, this method has mixed reviews, but many social media influencers and cleaning gurus have given it a go. Some users noticed fewer hard water stains and more shine after one cleaning cycle, but as for tarnish removal, many users were disappointed with the lack of results. That said, there’s some science behind the move, which explains why it will work — but only on some utensils.

“A chemical reaction transfers the oxidized tarnish from the silverware to the aluminum foil,” explains Rich Handel from Consumer Reports. However, this only works with metal dishware or utensils because that chemical reaction will not occur with glass, wood, silicone, or other materials. 

Handal also explained that it works best when the foil touches the silverware because contact is needed for a chemical reaction. It’s unlikely that the aluminum foil ball touches many utensils at once (likely only the two pieces it’s wedged between), which is probably why this hack falls flat for some users. However, there is no harm in trying this cleaning method. “If you do want to try this hack out for yourself, you don’t have to worry about it damaging your dishwasher,” says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid.

A More Effective Aluminum Foil Method 

Although the team at Consumer Reports wasn’t thrilled with this hack’s results, they offered a more effective method for removing tarnish from silverware with aluminum foil. “You can clean silver with aluminum foil and a heated salt solution,” says Handel. To try this method, you’ll need salt, baking soda, aluminum foil, boiling water, and a heat-safe dish. Remember that this usually works best with silverware made out of real silver (sterling silver or silver plated). Today, most “silverware,” also called flatware, is made from stainless steel. Stainless steel utensils can still benefit from this hack, but your results might not be as drastic.

To try this, line an aluminum pan or glass baking dish with aluminum foil. Then, place your tarnished items on top of the foil and sprinkle two tablespoons of salt and two tablespoons of baking soda on top. Cover the items with boiling water and soak for around three minutes. As the solution cools, turn the items over with tongs so that as many sides touch the foil as possible. Rinse the items with plain water and buff them with a microfiber (or other silver-safe material) cloth. This method not only cleans the tarnish from silver utensils and serving dishes but also works for jewelry and other silver items.

Aluminum foil can also clean stainless steel pans and is recommended as a non-toxic option for burnt-on messes. Simply pour half a cup of distilled white vinegar into the pan and sprinkle a tablespoon of baking soda. Using a ball of aluminum foil, gently scrub away stains, taking care not to scratch the pan. Rinse and hand dry.

The Olive Oil Method for Stainless Steel Flatware

If your aluminum foil cleaning journey leads to a dead end, try olive oil instead, especially if your utensils are made from stainless steel. You’ll need a soft dish towel, olive oil, distilled white vinegar, and baking soda to remove water stains and rust. First, dampen a soft cloth with olive oil and gently wipe away streaks and hard water stains. Then, dampen a second cloth with distilled white vinegar to buff the utensils, restoring them to their former glory. For rust spots, sprinkle baking soda on the utensil and gently rub with a dry cloth until the stain is gone. When finished, rinse with plain water and immediately hand dry with a soft cloth.