How do you clean aluminum?

Clean aluminum by scraping off burned-on matter and scrubbing the aluminum with a cream of tartar, lemon juice and water mixture. Finally, polish the aluminum with a baking soda and water paste. You need cream of tartar, lemon juice, baking soda, steel-wool, a synthetic scouring pad and rubber gloves.

1. Scrape off the burned-on matter

   Use steel-wool to scrape off any food or matter burned onto the aluminum. Do not soak the item in soapy water or place it in the dishwasher, as these actions can ruin and discolor it.

2. Make a cleaning mixture

   Mix together 1 quart of water, 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.

3. Place the mixture on the aluminum item

   Place the mixture on the aluminum item if it is a pan. If the item is smaller, place it in the mixture. Let it soak until the item loses its discoloration.

4. Scour the pan

   Put on a pair of protective rubber gloves. Scrub the aluminum item with a steel-wool pad until the item is clean.

5. Mix together the polish

   Mix together water and baking soda until a paste is formed for the polish.

6. Polish the aluminum item

   Place the paste on a synthetic scouring pad, and use it to polish the item until it shines.