Aluminum foil has numerous uses, from crafting to cooking. However, one use is leaving people confused and has little merit, but it has sparked some discussion nonetheless.
Aluminum Foil Safety Hack
Being home alone often causes our minds to play tricks on us, hearing or seeing things that aren’t there. However, scary things happen, and we’re less equipped or more vulnerable when we’re home alone. For example, it has been suggested that putting aluminum foil on a door knob can help reduce your risk of intrusion, and there are several reasons why.
Preventing Danger
Purportedly, this makes it more difficult to grip the doorknob or pick the lock. Additionally, the aluminum foil will make a crinkle noise if someone is trying to get in, alerting you and giving you more time to respond.
Securely Fasten Aluminum Foil
Meanwhile, rubber bands were also recommended to help secure the aluminum foil to the door. Simply wrap a few around the handle after the foil has been securely wrapped around the doorknob.
Clickbait Claims
Sadly, these claims have been disproven by Snopes and deemed a money making or “clickbait” scheme. However, there are a couple of reasons why aluminum foil on the doorknob might be a good idea.
What Aluminum Foil Can Do
Unfortunately, aluminum foil won’t do anything to ensure safety from an intruder, although it’ll probably confuse them, which arguably could work. On the other hand, aluminum foil may help with something else. Some examples are listed below, beginning with aiding insulation. Although aluminum foil isn’t the proper way to insulate a home, ensuring it’s up to code, foil can help retain heat or cool air when supplemented with other insulators.
Create DIY Barriers
Firstly, aluminum foil can create an easy DIY barrier for projects like painting doors. Simply, wrap some aluminum foil around the handle to prevent paint from splashing or dripping.
Aluminum Foil Prevents Static Shock
Secondly, many people have had great luck removing static electricity with aluminum foil. Nearly everyone has been shocked by a doorknob on blustery windy day, so, this solution will likely appeal to the masses.
Disproven by Snopes
This bizarre life-hack was disproven by Snopes in 2022. The idea was originally posted as an article and a slideshow, called “33 Life Hacks To Boost Your Quality Of Life!” However, according to the brilliant minds behind Snopes, the idea was included in a long post, that required countless clicks to get to the end and awarded the author “affiliate commission.”
A Versatile Product
Interestingly, the product is versatile, serving numerous purposes beyond fighting static electricity, preserving food or beverage temperatures, and creating fun arts and crafts.
Retains Heat and Moisture
For instance, placing a piece of aluminum foil between clothing and an ironing board will help speed the process up, preventing heat loss. Meanwhile, planting seeds in a homemade aluminum pot will help retain moisture and allow the seeds to thrive.
Sharpen Knives, Polish Pans
Another example of its many uses includes an age-old kitchen trick sworn successful by grandmothers everywhere. Apparently, this useful kitchen accessory can help sharpen dull knives.
Mold it Into Something Else
Meanwhile, aluminum foil can be molded to be a lid for any dish, no matter the size. Or, it can be molded into the shape of a glass or bowl in a pinch.
Prevent Spills
Lastly, the thin metal product is a great barrier for protecting mattresses from potty-training littles or puppies or for preventing spills or messes in the kitchen, yard, or anywhere else that can be ruined or damaged by spilled liquids.
The internet and programs like Photoshop are able to camouflage images and ideas so well that they’re considered reputable rather than suggestions. As such, it’s not surprising that putting aluminum foil on your doorknob has been suggested as a good idea, and it just goes to show that not everything found on the internet is true. Either way, people have differing results, and the only way to know how well something will work for you and your family is to test it yourself. You might even make it a fun day of science experiments and hypotheses
Sources: secretlifeofmom.com
- “45 Aluminum Foil Uses You Didn’t Know About.” RD August 18, 2023.
- “The Aluminum Foil Door Handle Hack.” Homemaking.Com. Nini. December 15, 2023.
- “Putting Foil Over Your Doorknob Won’t Keep Your Home Safe.” Green Matters. Kori Williams. July 24, 2023.
