Before you throw away rusty steel wool, try this simple aluminum foil hack

Aluminum foil hack for steel wool: Steel wool is great for tackling the kind of mess that regular sponges struggle with. Burnt food, stubborn grime and difficult stains can often be scrubbed away with a few passes.

But there is one problem many people know too well: leave a steel wool pad damp near the sink, and it can start rusting surprisingly quickly.

A simple piece of aluminum foil may help prevent that.

Why Steel Wool Rusts So Easily

The problem usually begins with moisture. Steel wool contains iron, and when iron comes into contact with water and oxygen, rust can form.

That is why a steel wool pad left sitting in a puddle of water can quickly become orange and rusty. According to HowStuffWorks, moisture helps create the conditions needed for oxygen to react with iron and form rust.

The Simple Aluminum Foil Trick

The fix is surprisingly low-tech and very easy.

Crumple a piece of aluminum foil into a ball and place it in the dish or container where you keep your steel wool. Then place the pad on top of it.

The idea is to raise the steel wool above any water that collects at the bottom. Bob Vila and Reader’s Digest both describe aluminum foil as a useful way to help keep steel wool away from moisture and slow down the rusting problem.

You can also drain away any water that collects underneath the pad.

Storing Steel Wool for Longer

If you know you will not be using the steel wool for a while, another option is to wrap it in aluminum foil and place it in the freezer, according to Bob Vila and Reader’s Digest.

A Small Change That Could Save a Cleaning Tool

The appeal of this trick is that it does not require a special product. If you already have aluminum foil in your kitchen, you can use it to create a simple raised surface for your steel wool.

So, the next time you finish scrubbing with steel wool, don't just leave it sitting in water near the sink. A small ball of aluminum foil underneath could help keep it drier and potentially extend how long you can continue using it.