HOW TO CLEAN ALUMINUM

What You Need

Simple Green Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner
Spray bottle or bucket
Soft-bristled brush
Clean water or a garden hose
Clean, dry towels

Aluminum is everywhere around the home and garage, from patio furniture and window frames to auto parts and siding. It comes in several finishes, including bare (raw), anodized, powder-coated, painted, and ceramic-coated. Most aluminum you'll clean around the house has some coating or finish.

Aluminum is also a relatively soft metal, so it scratches more easily than steel. Always start with a soft-bristled brush to avoid scratching bare aluminum or wearing down its coating.

Cleaning aluminum pots and pans? See our guide on how to clean aluminum pots and pans.

Caution: Protect asphalt. Simple Green Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner is strong enough to break down tar and asphalt. Don't clean over asphalt driveways or streets, and avoid letting the product drip or spill onto asphalt, since it can cause pitting or damage.

Directions for Cleaning Aluminum:

Use these steps for aluminum surfaces you'll clean by spraying, like patio furniture, railings, trim, and other coated or finished aluminum.

Mix your solution. Dilute Simple Green Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner at a ratio of 1:10 with water in a spray bottle or bucket.
Apply. Spray or wipe the solution onto the aluminum surface.
Scrub gently. Use a soft-bristled brush to loosen dirt and grime without scratching the surface or wearing down its finish.
Rinse thoroughly. Rinse well with clean water to remove all cleaner and residue.
Dry immediately. Dry with a clean towel to prevent water spots and residue.

Directions for Cleaning Aluminum Parts in a Parts Washer or Ultrasonic Cleaner:

For aluminum auto parts or machinery, immersion cleaning in a parts washer or ultrasonic cleaner is a great option. Simple Green Pro HD contains a corrosion inhibitor that helps protect metal surfaces while they're fully submerged, as long as the solution is mixed at the right strength.

Mix your solution. Dilute Simple Green Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner at a ratio of 1:10 or stronger, so there’s enough corrosion inhibitor in the mixture. For very greasy or oily parts, use a stronger 1:3 ratio for heavy-duty degreasing.
Clean the parts. Run the parts through the parts washer or ultrasonic cleaner for several minutes. Don’t soak parts overnight.
Scrub as needed. While the parts are being washed, scrub with a soft-bristled brush. For more durable aluminum parts, you can use a stiffer brush.
Rinse and dry immediately. Rinse all parts well with clean water, then dry them right away to remove any remaining residue and water.

NOTE: The corrosion inhibitor in Pro HD only works during full immersion. When you spray-clean aluminum, it isn't activated, which is why rinsing and drying right away when applying via trigger spray is important.

Cleaning Painted Aluminum Siding

For painted aluminum siding, use an outdoor cleaner like Simple Green Oxy Solve House & Siding Cleaner. It uses the power of peroxide to brighten and renew aluminum siding, brick, wood, stucco, and vinyl siding.