How to clean aluminum cookware at home

If cleaned incorrectly, the metal quickly darkens, becomes covered with carbon deposits and loses its original shine. It is important to use safe products and proven methods to keep the dishes in perfect condition. Proper cleaning and careful treatment help preserve the shine and functionality of saucepans, pots and pans for a long time, informs Ukr.Media.

Features of aluminum

Aluminum is a soft and lightweight metal, widely used in the production of kitchenware. For example, the weight of an aluminum bowl is on average 30-40% less than a similar one made of stainless steel.

For home use, aluminum pots and pans are a practical choice. However, care requires care: use mild products, clean the dishes of scale and grease in a timely manner, and avoid aggressive cleaning.

Aluminum also has high thermal conductivity. It heats up 13 times faster than steel and distributes heat evenly across the entire surface. This means food cooks faster and burns less often.

Cons of this material:

Sensitivity to oxidation. When exposed to oxygen and water, an oxide film forms on the surface, a protective layer that prevents corrosion. However, improper cleaning destroys this layer, leading to tarnishing and carbon deposits.

Reaction with acids and alkalis. Aluminum reacts with vinegar, lemon juice, and alkaline solutions. This can spoil not only the appearance of the dishes, but also the taste of the dishes.

Low scratch resistance. Hard sponges and abrasive powders leave micro-damages, which dull the surface and make it vulnerable to dirt. For the same reason, aluminum products are not recommended for washing in a dishwasher.

With proper care, the dishes remain safe and retain their shine even with intensive use.

What is the best way to clean aluminum cookware?

To remove dirt, it is important to use only safe methods and products that do not damage the surface. Proper cleaning will return pots and pans to a neat appearance and help deal with grease, carbon deposits and scale.

Special cleaning products

Special cleaning products for aluminum cookware are designed to take into account the characteristics of this metal. They help to effectively remove scale, grease and carbon deposits without damaging the surface or breaking the protective layer. The formulas of such products contain mild ingredients and a minimum amount of abrasives, which makes them safe for regular use.

• Gels and pastes are ideal for delicate cleaning. The gel structure tightly covers contaminated areas, softening them and allowing you to easily remove even old carbon deposits and stains on aluminum molds and trays.
• Powders and creams – contain mild abrasives that can handle grease and small traces of dirt. Unlike household cleaning powders, they do not leave scratches on the aluminum surface.
• Liquid solutions are specially designed to combat scale. They safely dissolve limescale deposits and restore cleanliness and shine to dishes.

Regular use of such products helps to maintain the cookware in perfect condition, extending its service life. Choosing the right composition allows you to clean the aluminum surface effectively and easily, avoiding damage and dull coating.

Folk remedies

Homemade methods for cleaning aluminum cookware are effective, economical, and safe. Natural ingredients help clean carbon deposits, scale, and grease without damaging the surface of pots and pans.

• Vinegar and water. A mixture of 9% vinegar and water helps remove scale and dark deposits. Proportions – 2 tablespoons of vinegar per 1 liter of water. The solution is boiled in the dish for 10-15 minutes, then the surface is washed with warm water.
• Citric acid. To clean the pan from scale and dirt, dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of citric acid in a liter of water. Boiling helps remove darkening and restore the shine of aluminum.
• Baking soda and soap. A small amount of baking soda and laundry soap is used to gently clean the aluminum surface. The baking soda is applied to a sponge and gently removes grease and traces of carbon deposits.
• Potato peelings. Potato peelings are an easy way to deal with dirt. The peelings are poured with water and boiled in a saucepan for 15 minutes. The starch helps clean dishes by removing stains.
• Toothpaste. The mild abrasive in the toothpaste helps clean small stains and restores shine. Apply the paste to a soft cloth, scrub the surface, then rinse with water.

All folk remedies are suitable for home use and easily help keep aluminum cookware in order without unnecessary expense.

What can't you clean aluminum cookware with?

Some products and methods damage the aluminum surface, causing it to lose its shine and shorten its lifespan. We recommend avoiding the following products:

• Abrasive powders. Coarse particles scratch metal, leaving microcracks and damage on the surface.
• Chlorine-containing products. Aluminum reacts with chlorine, causing tarnishing and chemical corrosion.
• Alkaline solutions. Alkali destroys the structure of the metal and leads to the formation of stains.
• Hard metal sponges. Scratches left by sponges make aluminum cookware vulnerable to oxidation and plaque.

To maintain shine and durability, it is important to use only mild cleaning methods, avoiding aggressive substances and coarse abrasives. Careful care of aluminum cookware will extend its service life and maintain a neat appearance. Regular cleaning with mild products and safe methods will restore the shine of the cookware, remove grease, carbon deposits and scale.

Джерело: Source