How to Clean and Polish Aluminum Surfaces
Aluminum items are an essential part of every household and their proper preservation can mean a lot of saved money. The cleaning process for different aluminum items is unique and a single process or type of cleaner cannot be used for all case scenarios. Make sure that an abrasive cleaner is not used for cleaning the aluminum items because it can easily scratch the surface of the metal and leave it exposed to environmental corrosion through reduction.
When talking about cleaners which can be used to clean aluminum, rather than spending loads of money on the market products, it is better and more effective to make a combination of elbow grease combined with natural cleaners like lemon juice or vinegar.
All you need is a soft brush or tooth brush, dish soap, soft cloth rags, gloves and protective glasses. For polishing, aluminum polish is required.
Instructions
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1
The first step involves the thorough cleaning of the metal part to be cleaned. The part is washed by a solution of hot water and dish soap until it gets rid of all the dirt spots. The object is then dried with a towel or a dry cloth.
Image courtesy: goodhousekeeping.com
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2
Now make the solution of two table spoons lemon juice or vinegar added in a quarter of water. In case you need to clean a pan, the solution should be enough to fill the pan. Put the pan on the stove and let it boil for 10 minutes. This will be enough to loosen all the resistant stains. In case, you need to clean a rounded object, make the solution in a separate container, apply it on the desired object and let it rest for 15 minutes.
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3
In case of pans, rinse it with water after the boiling process, followed by scrubbing with a soft cloth. The object is then rinsed again. For other appliances, rub it with a soft cloth before rinsing with water. In both scenarios, objects are to be dried after rinsing.
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4
Next is the polishing process. Apply the aluminum polish on a soft cloth and gently apply on the base metal in a circular motion. The shine will come slowly. Keep on doing it till the surface sparkles.
