Place this in the dishwasher. Steel cutlery and other things made of stainless steel will shine

Jul 11, 2026 5:23 PM

It's about a letter size aluminum foil, and will cause a small galvanic reaction that removes the thin matte coating on the steel. Stainless steel becomes shiny after a couple of washes. Magic? Not really :-)

Use normal machine dish detergent and wash as usual.

Take it out and throw it away after each wash. Make sure it is secure and cannot dance around in the machine.
It does not react with anything else in the machine. Stainless steel only. But strangely enough, glass and porcelain can also appear shinier. I don't know why.
Some chemists here might know better.
Recycling: I am quite sure that everyone understands that the used aluminum sheet must be placed in a metal waste container - without me having to say it. "Throw away" today means recycling. I get called a "fucking clown" because I don't remind you about recycling :-)

food

kitchen

This trick set does not remove burnt-on food or physical scratches, but it is absolutely superb against the dull, grayish veil that settles on stainless steel knives, forks and spoons over time!

2 weeks ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Bookmarking THIS for later because holy heck I hope some superior-to-me nerd comes in and explains.

2 weeks ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Lol I'll get right on cleaning my huge collection of real silver eating untesils. Might throw the monocle in, too

2 weeks ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

New: The same thing happens with silverware, it becomes shiny.
Note: Silverware and stainless steel must never touch each other in the dishwasher. If they are next to each other, a chemical reaction can occur that leaves ugly, permanent stains on the silver. Keep them in separate chambers, and leave the foil ball together with the silver.

2 weeks ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

My stainless is shiny. No matte coating.

2 weeks ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Try once, and compare with cutlery in the drawer. If both shining OK, you dont need to process.

2 weeks ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Aluminum foil can also be used to clean tarnished silver.

Sheet of aluminum foil in a bath of warm water and baking soda will remove tarnish from silver in a few mins to half hour with no pitting or etching

2 weeks ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I think its about the same galvanic reaction

2 weeks ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Multiple sites say it may work with silver but none mention stainless steel, and one specifies it only works with silver. It can also disintegrate and clog your filter.
https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/does-aluminum-foil-in-dishwasher-work-370882341">https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/does-aluminum-foil-in-dishwasher-work-37">2341<">82341">https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/does-aluminum-foil-in-dishwasher-work-37082341</a>
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a71166145/aluminum-foil-dishwasher-hack/
https://www.southernliving.com/should-you-put-aluminum-foil-in-your-dishwasher-11978884

2 weeks ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

My friend has been doing it with stainless steel since 1987. It shines after the process, and shines even more after 2-3 times in a row. Then you can repeat it 1-3 weeks later, then they will continue to shine.

2 weeks ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I dont have any silver :-)

2 weeks ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Don't "throw it away" unless you're a fucking clown.

2 weeks ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

pardon?

2 weeks ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Glass and aluminum are some of the most readily recyclable materials humans use, and it is incredibly irresponsible to throw them away. FYI.

2 weeks ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

FYI: This "fucking clown" leaves it up to everyone to recycle their waste without me specifying it every time everywhere - You jerk.

2 weeks ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You're the one that said throw it away. Great if you don't, but still, use your words.

2 weeks ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

OK boss. Save the Earth haha

2 weeks ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0