How to Clean Hammered Aluminum

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Hammered aluminum makes for beautiful, antique home decor. However, aluminum is a soft metal, making aluminum dishes and other items very easy to damage while cleaning. Abrasive cleaners and scrubbers such as steel wool cannot be used or else they stain and scratch the item. You can clean your aluminum naturally by using a gentle dish detergent and a soft-bristled scrub brush on stains. You can also remove tough stains and tarnish by boiling the aluminum in water with cream of tartar or citrus juice.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Washing after Use

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  1. Because aluminum is soft, choose a non-abrasive dish detergent such as Dawn. [1] Spread a squirt of the detergent over the aluminum, enough to use to scrub out stains. During regular use, hammered aluminum can be cleaned like any metal dishware.
  2. Warm water will loosen up stains such as those from food left on dishware. [3] You don’t need the water to be hot. Submerge the aluminum item in the water.
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  3. Again, the brush must be soft or else it will leave scratches. Choose a sponge, non-abrasive pad, a soft-bristled scrub brush, or old toothbrush. Scrub the surface of the aluminum and most stains will come off.
    • Don’t use steel wool or else the aluminum will gain small scratches.
  4. If the stains are still present or when using an alternative detergent such as orange cleaner, allow the aluminum item to sit in warm water. Leave it alone for about five minutes. The warm water should make it easier to scrub or wipe away the stains.
    • Five minutes is often enough to clear off debris while minimizing water exposure, but for stubborn stains you can try soaking it for 30 minutes.
  5. Place the aluminum item under warm, running water. Make sure all the cleaner is rinsed off the surface. [4]
  6. Use a soft cloth to remove all the moisture. Make sure all the water is gone so none of it sits on the metal and causes stains. [5]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Removing Stubborn Stains

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  1. Get a standard kitchen pot you can use to boil water. Pick one that’s big enough to contain the aluminum object, if possible. For objects that do not fit in the pot, boil the water anyway and clean the aluminum in the sink. The temperature of the water does not matter at this point.
  2. Place two tablespoons of cream of tartar in the water. Cream of tartar can be found at any general store where baking supplies are sold. [6]
  3. Turn up the heat on the stove until the water boils. At this point, you can add a few tablespoons of lime juice for extra cleaning power. Turn the heat down to a simmer.
  4. Rest the aluminum inside the pot of water. Leave it there for 10-15 minutes. For aluminum pieces that don’t fit in the pot, stop up the sink and dump the water in there along with the stained aluminum. [7]
    • Remember to wear long sleeves and oven mitts when transferring boiling water. Slowly pour the water into the sink so it doesn’t splash.
  5. Remove the aluminum piece from the pot of water. Bring it to the sink and wash it as you normally would. Use a gentle detergent such as Dawn. Scrub off any stains using a non-abrasive sponge or brush, then rinse the aluminum with warm water.
  6. Use a soft cloth or paper towel to ensure that all moisture is removed from the aluminum. Don’t leave any water, or else it may stain the item.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Treating Tarnished Aluminum

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  1. In a large stove pot, combine equal amounts of water and white vinegar. Mix the ingredients together, then set the pot on the stove.
  2. Measure out two or three tablespoons of lime or lemon juice. Dump them into the pot of water. If you don’t have juice, you can slice up a whole lemon and add it to the pot. [8]
  3. Turn up the heat on the stove and allow the water to boil. Once it does, turn the heat back down to a simmering level.
  4. Let the tarnished area of the aluminum soak in the water for 10-15 minutes. Again, if your piece does not fit in the pot, stop up the sink and dump the water in there along with the aluminum.
    • Again, take precautions when transferring boiling water. Cover exposed skin and slowly pour the water into the skin.
  5. Place the aluminum under a faucet. Use warm water to rinse off any of the acid left over. [9]
  6. Most of the corrosion comes off during boiling. For anything left over, use a soft-bristled scrub brush, non-abrasive sponge, or toothbrush to attack the tarnished areas.
    • Steel wool does help rid the aluminum of tarnish you can’t otherwise remove. Scrub back and forth rather than in a circular motion. Steel wool does scratch aluminum, so use it as a last resort.
  7. Use a soft cloth or a paper towel to remove all leftover moisture from your aluminum piece. This will ensure that it doesn’t gain water stains.
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      Warnings

      • Don’t clean aluminum in the dishwasher. Dishwasher detergents typically cause pitting and discoloration in aluminum.
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      Things You’ll Need

      • Gentle dish detergent
      • Non-abrasive scrub brush
      • Water
      • Cream of tartar
      • Lemon or lime juice
      • Large pot

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      References

      1. ↑ Cleanzen Cleaning Services. Residential Cleaning Specialists. Expert Interview. 4 February 2022.
      2. ↑ Cleanzen Cleaning Services. Residential Cleaning Specialists. Expert Interview. 4 February 2022.
      3. ↑ Cleanzen Cleaning Services. Residential Cleaning Specialists. Expert Interview. 4 February 2022.
      4. ↑ Cleanzen Cleaning Services. Residential Cleaning Specialists. Expert Interview. 4 February 2022.
      5. ↑ Cleanzen Cleaning Services. Residential Cleaning Specialists. Expert Interview. 4 February 2022.
      6. ↑ http://hcprobate.homestead.com/guardian.html
      7. ↑ http://hcprobate.homestead.com/guardian.html
      8. ↑ http://hcprobate.homestead.com/guardian.html
      9. ↑ http://hcprobate.homestead.com/guardian.html
      1. ↑ Cleanzen Cleaning Services. Residential Cleaning Specialists. Expert Interview. 4 February 2022.

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