How to clean aluminium in 5 ways 

Fingerprints, streaks, tarnishing, and those inevitable splodges of pasta sauce: we all know the feeling and we all know how dull and lack-lustre these messes can make aluminium appear. The good news? With a bit of loving care, your aluminium household items are sure to sparkle again. 

If you know how to clean aluminium properly, it can take on a whole new lease of life, however well-loved it might be. Whether you want to know how to remove white corrosion on aluminium, how to remove oxidation from aluminium, or how to polish aluminium furniture, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’re going to dive into the following: 

1. How to clean aluminium sinks 
2. Cleaning aluminium pans and utensils
3. How to clean aluminium garden furniture and accessories 
4. How to remove oxidation from aluminium 
5. How to polish aluminium at home 

Without further ado, let’s take a look at these five different cleaning methods when dealing with aluminium!  

1. How to clean aluminium sinks 

Kitchen sinks work almost as hard as you do, and as the pots and pans stack up, layered with smoky flavour after your family BBQ, it’s not just the utensils that need a good scrub. Fortunately, learning how to polish aluminium sinks is easier than ever. 

What you’ll need:

• Lemon
• Salt
• Washing-up liquid
• Sponge  
• Old clean toothbrush
• Plenty kitchen paper 

How to clean aluminium sinks:  

1. Start by cleaning the sink with washing-up liquid (or your choice of aluminium cleaner) and a sponge to get rid of most of the grime.  
2. You can then use an old toothbrush dipped in washing-up liquid to clean around the plughole and drain.  
3. Next, slice a lemon and dip it into some salt. For those of you who don’t already know the cleaning capabilities of lemon, this ingredient is great at cleaning aluminium due to the acidic content in the lemon juice.¹ 
4. Scrub the sink with the salt-infused lemon. 
5. Finally, rinse thoroughly and wipe down with a paper towel like Plenty The Original One, which is strong enough to hold together even when it’s sodden, and it’ll get right into any neglected corners.  

If your sink is steel rather than aluminium, don’t worry! Check out our tips for cleaning stainless steel without scratches so your sink can look sparkling and brand new.  

2. How to clean aluminium pots, pans and utensils

Cleaning aluminium pans and pots with an acidic solution is a great way to bring them back to their shiny best.¹ Here’s what you’ll need if you want to learn how to polish aluminium pans.  

1. Water 
2. 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar 
3. Plenty kitchen paper (Plenty will hold together and get the job done, even with thorough scrubbing!) 

Follow the steps below on cleaning aluminium pans, pots and utensils:  

1. Clean off any remaining food debris.  
2. Then, combine the lemon or vinegar with enough water to fill your pan and boil on the hob for 10 minutes (with utensils in if you’ve got room).  
3. Once the pan has cooled, you can get to work with the sheet of kitchen paper – a little bit of elbow grease is all that’s needed – and then that’s it.  

Want to go further and learn how to make aluminium shine? For the exterior, apply a mild polish and buff with dry kitchen paper. You’ll have a pan that gleams so brightly, it practically winks back at you. 

3. How to clean aluminium garden furniture and accessories

It’s easy to focus on the inside of your home and forget the garden until a sunny afternoon calls everyone outside. Aluminium chairs and tables might show signs of spilled drinks, or the odd bird dropping, but a little attention brings them back beautifully. For cleaning outdoor aluminium, choose a day that’s not too hot or cold so you can take your time. With the right approach, you’ll refresh your space and make aluminium shine, ready for the next gathering under the sun. 

Once perfect day arrives, here’s what you’re going to need if you want the best way to clean aluminium garden furniture: 

• Plenty kitchen paper 
• Hose 
• White vinegar 
• Water 
• Bucket 
• Detergent 

How to polish aluminium outdoor furniture: 

1. First, clean your outdoor aluminium furniture with detergent and warm water. 
2. Then combine some vinegar and water to make your polishing solution. Be sure to mix equal parts of each. 
3. Use a sheet of kitchen paper to work on the surface.  
4. Lastly, grab your hose and rinse thoroughly to make sure you remove all of the solution.  

Once dry, you can apply a little polish (or even car wax) to polish aluminium garden furniture and give it that extra shine.  

So, there you have it, that’s how to clean aluminium pans, sinks and garden furniture. But there’s more—what about dealing with oxidised aluminium? Read on to learn how to remove oxidation from aluminium.  

4. How to remove aluminium oxide

After a season of family dinners or garden parties, aluminium can lose its sparkle, turning a little dull and chalky. If you have been wondering how to remove oxidation from aluminium, the answer might surprise you. Forget harsh cleaners and just raid the fridge. Tomato ketchup, the same one you squeeze onto burgers, is an acidic secret weapon that helps remove aluminium oxide and restore shine. 

• Tomato ketchup
• Soft cloth
• Water
• Plenty kitchen paper

And here’s how to remove oxidation from aluminium: 

1. Cover the item with a thin layer of ketchup. 
2. Leave it for 15-20 minutes. 
3. Use the soft cloth to rub the aluminium vigorously. 
4. Rinse with water straight after (otherwise you might risk spots and streaks). 
5. Polish with a piece of kitchen paper to dry it completely and bring out the shine. 

 Fun fact: Ketchup is also a surprisingly effective product for cleaning silverware!

Cleaning aluminium pans, sinks and outdoor surfaces will bring a certain amount of sparkle back in its own right. But if you really want to know how to make aluminium shine, it needs some buffing. Here’s how to polish aluminium:  

5. How to polish aluminium at home

Cleaning aluminium pans, sinks and outdoor surfaces will bring a certain amount of sparkle back in its own right. But if you really want to know how to make aluminium shine, it needs some buffing. Here’s how to polish aluminium:

• For smaller items: give them a spray with special aluminium polish or a bit of cream of tartar. You can then get the kids to help you administer the final buffing with a piece of kitchen paper.  
• For larger areas and sheet aluminium: you’ll get the best results with a rotating buffer tool – just make sure you wear your safety goggles! 

While these tips may focus on cleaning aluminium pans, sinks and outdoor furniture, you can use them on almost any aluminium surface. And now you also know how to remove oxidation from aluminium.

If there is a lot to do, gather your loved ones and turn it into a light-hearted cleaning session. Before long, everything will be gleaming again, ready for the next barbecue that spills over onto the table, the next round of laughter in the garden, and all the little moments that make it worthwhile. 

Sources 

¹ Surface treatment of Aluminium by cleaning, chemical ething and conversion coating

² Effects of variety on the quality of tomato stored under ambient conditions