Cleaning oxidation from aluminum

Aluminum (aluminium) is the number one most abundant metal found in the Earth’s crust. With that being said, it’s no wonder that with our propensity for exploiting everything we can get our hands on, you will find something made from this metal in pretty much every home you see. I don’t mean to be an ass about it. I’m every bit as guilty as anyone else. Aluminum is cheap, it’s lightweight, and when it’s clean, it’s pretty nice to look at. You know, all shiny and silvery and stuff.

Aluminum by itself isn’t all that useful. It’s too soft. Under most circumstances it is mixed with other metals like copper, zinc, magnesium, or manganese to create an alloy with greater strength and durability. Even with other metals thrown in there, aluminum alloys are still quite malleable and can be used for an absolutely ridiculous number of things. You will find aluminum used for cans (of course), pots and pans, utensils, siding, boats, machinery, wheels, motors, gutters, blinds, electrical work, paints, and the list goes on and on and on. It makes good sense, along with being cheap, abundant, and easy to work with, the stuff is also very resistant to corrosion. This is due to aluminum’s affinity for oxygen. You know that dull gray that’s been taking over your nice new aluminum pot? That’s what I’m talking about. That’s aluminum oxide, and that’s what we’re here to get rid of today. Yes, it protects your aluminum from corrosion. But as soon as you clean it off, it starts coming back again. Your aluminum is still protected, and now, because that layer of aluminum oxide isn’t nearly as thick as it was, your pan still looks nice. The method for cleaning aluminum found in this article is intended for unfinished aluminum like (but not limited to) that found in aluminum pots, pans, plates, cups, and utensils.