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In most households, aluminum foil is the most discarded thing in every kitchen, but this crumpled sheet of metal can work like pure gold for your bathroom. Professional cleaners have been hiding a massive secret. Used foil is one of the absolute best tools for wiping out ugly hard-water stains. It brings back a mirror-like shine to your kitchen and bathroom fixtures faster than almost any expensive chemical spray on the market. If your taps look cloudy and covered in white gunk, go grab some trash. Here is why it works and exactly how to do it.

Why This Actually Works
It sounds a bit crazy to rub metal against metal. Most people assume it will leave awful scratches all over their expensive fixtures, but it doesn't. It all comes down to how hard the metals are. Faucets are usually coated in chrome or stainless steel, which are incredibly tough surfaces. Aluminum is a very soft metal by comparison. Because it's so soft, it physically cannot scratch the chrome. Instead, it just safely scrapes off the crusty buildup sitting on top. Even better, when wet foil hits rust, a quick chemical reaction happens. The aluminum basically pulls the oxygen right out of the rust, causing the grime to break down and dissolve instantly.

The 4-Step Process
First, a quick warning. Only do this on chrome or stainless steel. Do not try this on matte black or gold fixtures, or you might ruin the finish.

Step 1: Ball it up. Take a piece of used foil and crumple it loosely into a ball about the size of a golf ball. Leave plenty of rough ridges.

Step 2: Get it wet. Dip the foil ball into water. Never use it dry. The water acts as a crucial lubricant to protect the metal.

Step 3: Scrub gently. Rub the wet foil over the cloudy spots and rust. You’ll feel the rough crust smooth out almost immediately.

Step 4: Wipe it down. Rinse the faucet and buff it dry with a clean towel to reveal a blinding, brand-new shine.

Free Cleaner from Your Trash
Instead of wasting money on expensive, chemical-heavy bathroom sprays, you get a second life out of something you were about to throw in the garbage. It's completely free and takes less than two minutes.

If you have a really stubborn, thick layer of white crust around the base of your tap, spray it with a little white vinegar first. Let it sit for five minutes, then attack it with the foil. The crust will melt right off.