Is Aluminum Foil the Secret to a Clean Dishwasher? Cleaning Pros Weigh In

Dishwashers are beloved for being the easiest and fastest to wash your dishes. But of course, even the best of dishwashers on the market can't always get that extra layer of grease or grime off of your cutlery in particular.

In a viral TikTok video, which has over 19 thousand views, shows how using a simple ball of aluminum foil in your dishwasher will have your silverware sparkling in no time. But is it expert-approved? We spoke to two cleaning experts on what they thought about this hack and whether or not it's safe to do on your own.

How Does This Hack Work?

Mick Jain, who is the operations manager of VMAP Cleaning Services approves of this quick hack if you need your silverware to be more sparkly and shiny in a pinch. By placing a ball of aluminum foil in your dishwasher, it can help your silverware appear much brighter than before.

But how does this happen? Well, according to Jain, this happens due to a chemical reaction with the dishwasher detergent and foil which helps to remove tarnish. To try it yourself, just simply place a loosely crumpled ball of foil in the silverware basket during a normal dishwashing cycle.

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Can You Use This Hack on All Silverware?

While this hack makes your silverware shinier, Jain also tells The Spruce that it's best to not use it on all of your silverware.

"Avoid using foil if washing aluminum cookware, as it may lead to discoloration or scratching," Jain says.

He also adds that it's crucial to monitor results, as excessive use may cause minor wear to your silverware over time.

Daniel Brown, cleaning expert and CEO of Handy Cleaners agrees that when the aluminum reacts with your detergent and tarnished silverware, it makes dull spots disappear. But he also told us the same warning that Jain had about using this hack on particular materials. This trick really only benefits true silver and nickel-plated utensils, but won't work with everyday stainless steel.

Does This Hack Have Risks?

It's important to know about any potential risks this hack could have on your dishwasher. And it's possible this hack could have harmful effects on your dishwasher's efficiency over time.

Brown explains how the aluminum foil can sometimes dislodge tiny bits of particles into the water, which may settle in hard-to-clean spots like your dishwasher's filter.

"Over time, this buildup can reduce water flow efficiency, eventually impacting your dishwasher’s cleaning power and even leading to repair calls," he adds.

We certainly don't want you to have to replace your beloved dishwasher, so it's safe to say that using this hack a lot won't be beneficial to its cleaning power over time.