Cleaning Aluminum
Guidelines For Cleaning Aluminum
When cleaning aluminum pots and pans, a tiny bit of preparation may be in order, depending on the types of staples you keep in your kitchen. The deposits ad stains which collect on aluminum are usually much less intimidating than they appear to be, and should be fairly easy to remove. If the insides of your aluminum cookware seem cloudy or tinged, you can begin with some real lemon juice or some vinegar. The type of vinegar that you choose doesn’t matter, as long as you use the proper concentration. You will want to fill your pot with water, covering the stained area. Depending on how many quarts you end up with, measure about four tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar per quart. Boil this concoction for at least fifteen minutes, as this will ensure that the natural elements can do their job. After boiling, the pot can be little scrubbed with a soapy scouring pad.
For cleaning aluminum pots and pans which have discolored on the outer sides, bottom, and sides, you will only need two things: a scouring pad and some elbow grease. The pre-soaped pads will do fine, but remember that you don’t need to scrub too hard when cleaning aluminum of this nature. Also, if you scrub in circles, the finished product may take on a scratchy or uneven look. For the best results with this type of job, you will want to use light, up and down or side to side motions. This will create a more uniform surface when the scouring is through. Another important thing to remember is that if you use less muscle, or pressure, and more frequent strokes, you can avoid a lot of the scuffing altogether.
There are some much more heavy duty and expensive methods of cleaning aluminum on car engines and things of that nature, but you may need to contact a professional for this type of pressure washing. For cleaning aluminum vehicle rims, you can use a very fine steel wool pad, followed by a protective and sealing polish. This will help to keep them clean and to cover any deeper scratches that normal cleaning can cause.
When deciding how to clean aluminum on a larger scale, such as that on a pontoon boat, you will certainly do well to use a chemical solution. Any sporting or boating store will have a good selection for you to choose from. The nature of the grime and deposits associated with pontoon boats is quite a bit different than that on pots and pans, and most chemicals will peel away the debris fairly well. Good luck with your adventures in cleaning, and don’t forget the steel wool!