How to Clean Aluminum

Cleaning Aluminum Cookware

What You Will Need:

• Cream of tartar
• Lemon juice
• Vinegar
• Water
• Steel wool soap pad
• Baking Soda
• Rubber gloves

The Cleaning Process:

1. Wash aluminum pan to remove any dirt and dry.
2. Mix 1 tablespoon cream of tartar, vinegar or lemon juice with one quart of water. Mix enough of this solution to fill the discolored pan.
3. Place on the stove over medium heat until the water comes to a simmer.
4. If you have any aluminum serving utensils, place those in the pan as well.
5. Boil for 10 minutes or until the discoloration is gone.
6. When the discoloration is gone and the pan has cooled, wear rubber gloves and scrub the pan with the steel wool pad.
7. Rub the steel wool very gently in a back and forth motion. Avoid using a circular motion as this can cause an uneven look.
8. Also, be cautious not to scrub too hard with the steel wool as this can scratch the aluminum.
9. To clean the outside of the pans, apply a mile, nonabrasive cleaner or silver polish.

Cleaning Aluminum Sinks

What You Will Need:

• Borax
• Clean soft cloths
• Water
• Rubber gloves

The Cleaning Process:

1. Wash away surface dirt and grime with a mild dish detergent and rinse away.
2. Sprinkle the entire sink with borax.
3. Moisten the soft cloth with water and use it to rub away any remaining dirt.
4. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Cleaning Outdoor Aluminum Surfaces

What You Will Need:

• Mild detergent
• Bucket
• Warm water
• Solvents for special stains/build-up
• Clean soft towels
• Rubber gloves
• Water hose (optional)

The Cleaning Process:

1. Choose a day when the temperature is neither too warm nor too cold to clean aluminum outside. If the aluminum is too hot to touch or the temperature is below fifty degrees, try again another day.
2. Fill a bucket with warm water and add a mild detergent.
3. Use the clean cloth to wipe down the aluminum and remove dirt and debris.
4. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. A hose is especially helpful for this if you are cleaning rain spouting, siding, etc.
5. For harder to remove substances such as tar, you will need to find a special solvent to remove. These are available at most hardware and home improvement stores.
6. Test a small area first with the solvent to be sure it does not damage the aluminum or remove any paint that may be on the aluminum.
7. When substance is removed, wash with mild detergent again to remove all solvent.
8. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean cloth.

Additional Tips and Advice

• If you are hesitant to use steel wool soap pads, try baking soda or ground up lemon peel to remove the built up dirt.
• Try removing stains with whitening toothpaste that contains baking soda and peroxide. Just apply it with a dry paper towel and rub in circular motions until it gone.
• The product Bar Keeper’s Friend has been found to be effective for cleaning aluminum sinks.
• Borax can also be used to clean cooking surfaces, but be sure to rinse them thoroughly before using.
• To restore shine to aluminum pots, boil for a couple of minute with apple peels.