For preparing good baked goods, for dyeing or straightening hair, for preserving food or wrapping leftovers… Aluminium foil is an indispensable tool at home and its uses are manifold. Including an unknown but very judicious use that you probably didn’t know about: it protects your clothes with every wash and prevents them from becoming electrified. Quickly discover this brilliant trick!
In fact, when you wash your clothes in the washing machine, a certain amount of electrical charge is immediately released. This can significantly damage clothes by wearing down textiles or even tearing fragile fabrics. This static electricity can come from the washing machine itself or from the rubbing of the laundry during washing. Hence the phenomenon of electrification of fabrics, which is often annoying and unsightly. So why would it be useful to embed 3 balls of aluminium foil in the drum? We explain it all.
Why do you need to embed aluminium foil balls in the washing machine?
The washing machine is where the most static electricity builds up, as the more clothes rub against each other when drying, the more electrical charge is generated.
By introducing small balls of aluminium foil with each wash, you will notice that they absorb all the static energy, thus preventing the clothes from being damaged or electrified.
The method is very easy to do: just insert three balls of aluminium foil, the size of a golf ball, and follow the usual steps for each detergent, with the detergent and the washing programme you usually use.
NB : in the case where the clothes you wear tend to drain a lot of electricity, it is essential to use a detergent during the washing cycle, as well as a short washing programme in order not to aggravate this problem.
What is aluminium foil made of?
Aluminium is a chemical element extracted from a material called “bauxite”. It is a non-ferromagnetic metal, i.e. it does not possess the necessary compounds to be easily magnetised. Aluminium foil is thus obtained thanks to the balance of iron and silicon, as well as 98.5% aluminium. In addition, aluminium foil is very flexible and is an excellent conductor of heat.
Other unsuspected uses of aluminium foil
In addition to the ones we have already mentioned, aluminium foil can help us in our daily lives to simplify certain tasks or solve a lot of small annoyances.
Here are some surprising and even unusual uses:
Cleaning a burnt pan : a simple piece of well crumpled aluminium foil can quickly remove burnt residue. Simply rub well and the residue will come off more easily.
Move the living room table : has dust accumulated in the living room and are you planning to clean up? Oops, you’re still having trouble moving the coffee table in the living room, which is too heavy for you. No problem: wrap pieces of aluminium foil under the four legs of the table and you’ll notice that it will slide faster.
Shine up your old, completely rusty cutlery : have you just pulled old cutlery out of the back of the cupboard, as well as old jewellery that is completely dull and rusty? Here is an amazing method to make all your silver coins shine. Simply place a sheet of aluminium foil in the bottom of a container, fill it with a mixture of hot water and coarse salt and immerse all your items in it. Leave it for a while before taking them out and drying them properly. The result is impressive: all your rooms are restored to their former splendour!
Cleaning the iron : if it is full of stains and dirt, the iron immediately becomes sticky and much slower than usual. Not to mention that it leaves unsightly marks on your clothes. Jump up, make a big ball of aluminium foil and vigorously rub the dirtiest areas – here it is again ready to use!
More tips on how to care for your clothes
Fading, shrinking, felting… your clothes don’t deserve this fate! Here’s how to extend their lifespan.
