Aluminum corrosion is a common problem that can make your home look old and unappealing.
However, you can easily keep your aluminum surfaces shiny and new with the right know-how. This ultimate guide to cleaning aluminum corrosion and keeping it shiny will provide you with simple and practical tips and tricks to maintain aluminum surfaces and how to clean aluminum corrosion.
You’ll learn the best ways to clean off corrosion and use products to prevent it from forming in the future.
Plus, you’ll learn how to shine and protect your aluminum surfaces for a beautiful, long-lasting finish. With these helpful tips, you can keep your aluminum surfaces looking new for years to come.
Table of Contents
How To Clean Aluminum Corrosion

Cleaning aluminum corrosion can be tricky, but with the right ingredients and a bit of elbow grease, you can get rid of most mild cases of corrosion.
To start, you’ll need to combine distilled water with either pure lemon juice or white vinegar. This concoction will help dissolve most of the corroded material.
Then, take a soft scrubbing pad and gently work it into the corroded area. Scrubbing too hard may cause more damage, so using a light touch is essential.
Once you’ve removed the corrosion, rinse the area with clean water to remove any remaining residue.
With some care and effort, you can clean aluminum corrosion and keep your pieces looking as good as new!
What Is Aluminum Corrosion?

Aluminum corrosion occurs when metal exposed to the air begins to react with oxygen and moisture and turns black. Aluminum is a reactive metal, which means that it will form a thin, dark coating when exposed to the air.
This coating is aluminum oxide or rust. Aluminum corrosion is not dangerous, but it is unsightly and can deteriorate the surface of your home’s aluminum.
If left untreated, aluminum corrosion can grow and spread to other aluminum surfaces within your home.
When it comes to aluminum corrosion, there are two types to be aware of – galvanic corrosion and pitting corrosion.
- Galvanic corrosion occurs when two different metals are in contact with each other, and one has a lower electrical charge than the other.
- Pitting corrosion is a more localized corrosion that usually occurs on smooth, flat surfaces.
While corrosion is an ongoing problem for aluminum, you can easily prevent it with a few helpful tips and tricks.
Causes Of Aluminum Corrosion
There are a few different factors that cause aluminum corrosion. First and foremost, aluminum is a reactive metal, which naturally forms a thin coating of aluminum oxide (commonly known as rust) when exposed to the air.
This is good because it helps the aluminum resist further corrosion. However, this coating can build up and become more substantial in environments with a lot of moisture in the air and minimal air circulation.
Beyond this, aluminum is also highly conductive. This means that it can quickly transfer an electric charge. When two metals come into contact with each other, one of them will usually end up with a lower electrical charge than the other.
The low electrical charge will cause it to corrode, which can cause issues for other nearby aluminum surfaces.
Products To Help Prevent Aluminum Corrosion
While nothing is 100% guaranteed to prevent aluminum corrosion, there are some products you can use to minimize the risk.
Aluminum Foil – One of the easiest ways to prevent aluminum corrosion is to wrap your aluminum surfaces in aluminum foil. This will help prevent corrosion or tarnish on your aluminum surfaces.
Using aluminum foil is also a great way to clean off aluminum surfaces. Simply remove the foil and wipe off any accumulated dust or grime.
Baking Soda – Baking soda is one of the best products to clean off corrosion or tarnish from aluminum surfaces. You can mix baking soda with water and scrub it on, or simply sprinkle it on the surface and use a damp cloth to wipe it off.
Vinegar – Vinegar can also help to clean off corrosion from aluminum surfaces. Simply spray your aluminum with vinegar and clean it with a damp cloth.
Hydrogen Peroxide – Hydrogen peroxide is another great cleaning product that you can use to clean off corrosion from aluminum surfaces. Simply submerge your aluminum in the hydrogen peroxide, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe it clean.
Tips To Keep Aluminum Surfaces Looking Shiny And New
Now that you know what causes aluminum corrosion and what products you can use to prevent it, it’s time to put those tactics to work! Use these helpful tips to keep your aluminum surfaces looking shiny and new:
– Always close your windows – This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s essential to minimizing the amount of corrosion on your aluminum surfaces. Closing your windows will help to minimize the amount of moisture in your home, which will help to keep corrosion at bay.
– Clean off corrosion regularly – One of the best ways to keep corrosion at bay is to clean it off regularly, especially once it begins to form. You don’t want to let corrosion sit and build up, because it can be very difficult to clean off. Wipe down your aluminum surfaces with a damp cloth, and use a baking soda and water mixture to scrub away stubborn corrosion.
– Protect windows from coming into contact with aluminum – You can protect your windows from coming into contact with aluminum by installing an aluminum channel. This will also help to protect your windows from water damage.
– Use aluminum foil to clean off surfaces – Another great way to clean off aluminum surfaces is to use aluminum foil. Simply wrap the aluminum foil around your sponge and scrub away any stubborn corrosion on your surfaces.
Conclusion
Aluminum corrosion is a common problem that can make your home look old and unappealing. Luckily, it’s a problem you can easily prevent by following these helpful tips and tricks to cleaning and protecting aluminum surfaces.