Aluminum Polish: Love That Shine!

Aluminum is a substance that is widely used for many different purposes. It is tough and durable, but also looks pretty good when it is properly maintained. When compared to other metals like silver or iron, aluminum is relatively low maintenance. Since many things around the modern home are made of aluminum, it's important to know the proper way to take care of it.

Aluminum Furniture
Outdoor aluminum collects not only dirt, but sweat, car exhaust, and in some places, salt from the air. Over time, the build up of these contaminants can cause permanent damage to the finish. New aluminum furniture, especially if it is used outdoors, needs some minor maintenance from time to time to keep it looking like new. Aluminum polishing for newer outdoor chairs and tables can be done using dish soap and a rag. Give it a few good wipes, then rinse it clean and dry it off. Dish soap, as it is designed specifically to cut through grease, is very good at breaking up and removing the type of gunk that frequently gets attracted to aluminum.

For older furniture, an actual aluminum polish might be necessary. Some high quality aluminum polish is formulated not just to make the metal shiny, but also to fill in scratches and tiny pits in the metal. This type of aluminum polish is first applied with an extremely fine steel wool and rubbed in wet. The restored look of a treated piece of furniture can truly be extraordinary.

Countertops, Sinks, and Faucets
Many different household fixtures are made of aluminum, but aluminum polishing is different depending on the finish of your surface. Countertops, sinks, and faucets are meant to be exposed to a large amount of water; because of this, many come with a clear coat or powder coat layer. If it has one of these layers, aluminum polishing consists only of wiping it down with dish soap and warm water. These finishes should be treated like non-stick cooking pan finishes, so avoid using steel wool or very abrasive "scrubbie" sponges.

Kitchen or bathroom fixtures of uncoated aluminum require some more work. In addition to the soap and water treatment, they should be waxed regularly. Depending on how often the fixture is used, it could be as frequent as once every three weeks. The process doesn't require a special aluminum polish; you can use any paste wax, or even use the wax you'd use on a car.

Cabinet Handles, Doorknobs, Etc.
You'll want to keep a small bottle of aluminum polish with the rest of your cleaning products for use on little aluminum odds and ends. These small items won't need too much attention, but the difference between one that is polished once every few months and one that is polished once a year will be noticeable.

Since these fixtures have regular contact with people's hands, the natural oils in human skin can build up on them. These oils can actually be quite damaging to the metal's surface. Running a rag that's wet with aluminum polish over them every once in a while, however, will not only keep them clean, but can repair small superficial damage as well.