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Fill a large container or sink with water and add several squirts of a mild dish detergent. Use a cloth or sponge to clean all areas of the aluminum item gently.
If the object is extra dirty, soak it in the soapy water before scrubbing it with a soft-bristled toothbrush to loosen stuck-on grime from edges and corners. Rinse the aluminum under running water and dry it thoroughly with a clean cloth.
Sanding Aluminum to Polish
If your aluminum is white and powdery, it’s possible to restore the surface so that it has a mirror finish. While not everyone loves to sand, sanding the metal is the best way to restore the surface to look new.
Sanding Aluminum
Sand paper
Orbital sander
Angle grinder
Start with a 320 grit sandpaper, move on to a 400 grit, and finish with a 600 grit. Use the sandpaper to sand smaller pieces by hand and larger pieces with an orbital sander or angle grinder. Use careful, circular motions as you move across the metal until the surface feels smooth to the touch and has a mirror-like appearance.
Sometimes this option is the best way to buff aluminum wheels to a pristine finish after cleaning them and removing spots of rust and brake dust.
Best Way to Polish Aluminum Naturally
If you’d rather skip sanding your aluminum, the next best way to polish aluminum naturally is to use a mild abrasive to scrub the surface gently. While we often consider cream of tartar a food additive, this powder works wonders at cleaning aluminum.
Natural Aluminum Polish
Cream of tartar
Warm water
Small bowl
Soft cloth
For this homemade cleaner to make aluminum shine, pour a little warm water and cream of tartar into a bowl to form a paste, depending on the size of your cleaning project. Dip a soft cloth into the mixture and rub it on the aluminum in small circles. After you finish cleaning and polishing the entire piece, rinse it with clean water and dry it with a towel.
How to Polish Aluminum with White Vinegar
While it’s simple to pick up a commercial aluminum polish or polishing compound at your local hardware store, some of these products are expensive. Fortunately, there are many natural ways to polish aluminum for a clean finish, and one of our favorites is white vinegar.
Vinegar Aluminum Polish
White vinegar
Warm water
Spray bottle
Soft cloth
To polish metal at home, pour equal amounts warm water and vinegar in a bottle sprayer and shake the liquid to mix it well. Spray the cleaner on the aluminum by working in sections and wipe it into the surface with a soft cloth using circular motions.
If you’d rather not use a spray bottle, pour equal amounts of vinegar and water into a bucket or sink and clean the item with a sponge. Rinse the item thoroughly once it’s clean and dry it with a towel.
Polishing Aluminum Pans with Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural, alkaline powder with many uses, including washing cast aluminum pans. It’s inexpensive, and you undoubtedly have a box sitting in your kitchen cabinet right now.
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