Are you worried about how to clean vintage aluminum cookware? don’t worry anymore. We will show you how to clean cookware using simple and easy steps.
It is inexpensive, easily available and light weighted to carry. Usually, everyone uses aluminum cookware. As they are used for a long time, they may be darkened, stained or even rust sometimes.
Cleaning vintage cookware may seem tough as it might have been darkened or have white spots. Rust also can be seen in vintage cookware. But you can bring the shiny look back and can see your reflection in vintage cookware by using simple easy processes.
This darkens because of detergent-based dishwashers mainly. Extreme heat, oxidation and minerals from water can also be the reason for darkening.
As vintage item has been used for a long time and they are an heirloom piece, darkening is a common thing. But you can make it look shiny again and store them for more years to come.
To know how to clean vintage aluminum things, read this article carefully.
Use Hot water and Butter
First of all, fill the discolored cookware with enough water. Now boil the water. Put a teaspoon of butter. Then turn off the stove.
Now empty it and scrub with a soft rag or sponge. Rinse it properly and dry it with a clean rag.
Apply Vinegar
Vinegar can be a great option to clean vintage aluminum pan. Use a little amount of vinegar with the same amount of water to make a mixture. Now pour this mixture on discolored vintage and turn on the stove. Keep a medium flame and boil it.
Let it cool down and now use a wet sponge soaked with soapy water. Scrub properly to remove stains and then rinse well. If any layer of vinegar sits on the bottom surface of your cookware, then food will stick in it when you cook further. So you need to clean it properly.
Now dry it using a paper towel or a soft rag. Vinegar is very effective to clean darkened parts and stubborn stains.
You can use vinegar in another way. For that, you need to mix white vinegar and water in the same amount. Then soak a rag in the mixture and then scrub the rag over the discolored area. Then rinse it with cool water and dry it with a paper towel.
If there are stubborn stains, soak your cookware with vinegar mixture for 12-15 hours. After that, rub the grimy surface with a harsh part of your sponge and rinse properly and dry. However, Vinegar creates a reaction with the darkened stains and breaks the build-up. Moreover, Vinegar does not cause any harm to the metal.
Apply Baking Soda
Baking soda can also be used to clean the vintage item. First of all, fill the cookware with water. Now put 2 teaspoons of baking soda and mix it up. Boil the mixture. Now turn off the stove and leave it to cool down for 15-20 minutes.
After that, drain the mixture and scrub your pan with a scrubber gently. Now wash properly. Don’t keep the baking soda mixture resting for a long time. Otherwise it will oxidize your things. Therefore, Along with that, the inner coating can be damaged if you don’t rinse the baking soda mixture in the right time.
Use The Cream Of Tartar
First of all, mix 2 tablespoons of tartar cream with water. Now pour it on the discolored surface. Heat the mixture and boil it. Now leave it for one hour and after that you need to scrub it.
Now rinse properly and dry it with a paper towel. This will remove the stains easily. To know more about how to clean vintage pot, keep reading.
Apply Hot water and Salt
First of all, you need to fill the stained vintage aluminum things with water. Apply some salt in the water and heat it. When it starts boiling, you will see that the salt has been dissolved. Now turn off the stove.
Cooldown the mixture and empty it. Now scrub with a steel wool scrubber. But don’t be so harsh. Rub gently. So, Rinse your cookware very well and dry it with a soft clean rag.
Use Some Wine
Are you surprised? Yes, wine can also clean vintage aluminum pot. Wine removes the black spots from your item. This works like magic.
Pour some wine over the spots and soak it for one hour. Now extract the wine and rub the area. Black stains and spots will disappear like magic. Don’t forget to dry your pot to avoid any further build-up.
Apply Tomato Ketchup
Aren’t these ideas mind-blowing? To learn more about how to clean cookware, read the entire article. Tomato ketchup are very good cleaner. Apply tomato ketchup over the spots. It removes oxidized aluminum so well.
Leave the layer of tomato ketchup for 30 minutes. Now scrub the area with a soft sponge. So, Rinse properly and dry with a soft clean rag. You can use paper towels too.
Apply Coca Cola
Are you shocked? Coca-cola is a mild cleaner. To clean your vintage aluminum pot with coca-Cola, Fill your stained cookware with Coca-Cola.
Leave it to set for 20 minutes. Now drain the coca-Cola and scrub with a soft-bristled brush. Rinse your cookware and dry it.
Use Lemon Juice
Soak your stained vintage aluminum pot in lemon juice for one hour. Now scrub with dish soap and rinse well. Dry properly with a clean cloth.
Apply Coarse Salt with Baking soda
Coarse salt is also used to clean things. First of all, make a paste of baking soda and coarse salt using a little bit of water.
Now apply the paste over the stubborn stains. Now scrub the area with a steel wool scrubber. Don’t scrub roughly.
This mixture can’t be left for the setting because if baking soda sits, then it will oxidize the aluminum cookware and the result will be discoloration.
But if you want to protect your pot from further damage, then rinse properly after applying the mixture. Don’t let the mixture dry. However, After Washing properly, dry your pot using a soft rag.
Use Rock Salt And Olive Oil
Spread rock salts over the stain and put in some olive oil. Now scrub with a soft-bristled brush until it is cleaned.
Wash your pan properly and dry it with a paper towel or clean cloth.
Use Commercial Cleaners
You can use a magic eraser or dawn power cleaner to clean vintage aluminum pan. These commercial cleaners can be great elements to clean your vintage things. Therefore, They don’t cause damage to the metal. Dawn is even very much preferable than dishwashers.
Fill your sink with water. Make a foamy mixture with Dawn. Now soak your stained vintage cookware in it overnight.
Scrub it with a soft sponge and wash the pot dry it and keep it in your kitchen.
Make a Cleaning Solution
You can make a cleaning solution easily. You can do it yourself. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda, 4 cups of water and 3-4 tablespoons of vinegar. Now mix them properly.
Now wet a rag in the mixture and apply the soaked rag on the discolored stained areas. Keep rubbing until it is cleaned.
After that, wash with running hot water and dry with a clean rag. This solution can be effective. But don’t let it sit. If a coating of vinegar sits on the surface it will cause the food to stick on the surface when you will cook again.
Removal of Rust From Vintage Cookware
If there is rust, then you need to use baking soda. Make a paste of 2 tablespoons of baking soda and water.
Now apply the paste on the rust area. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Now scrub it with a steel wool scrubber. So, Avoid putting scratches on the surface. Rub gently.
After that, wash your pan properly so that no residue or spots are left. Then dry your pan with a paper towel or a clean rag. You can also use old newspapers to dry your pan.
Make Your Vintage Aluminum Cookware Shiny Like a New One
Discolored vintage cookware which has lost its shiny appearance looks so dull and seems unused. But you can bring the shiny look back and make it look like a new one easily. Vinegar is the best element to bring the shiny look back.
Mix white vinegar with the same amount of water. Soak your vintage in that mixture overnight. It will also help to remove stubborn stains and darkened burnt spots will disappear.
Rub with a soapy wet rag and clean it properly. Rinse it with cool water. Don’t wash burnt cookware with hot water. Now dry your cookware with a clean soft rag.
Now you can see your reflection in your aluminum cookware. It will shine like a new one. Isn’t it so easy? Learn more about how to clean vintage parts by reading the entire article with concentration.
Removal of White Corrosion From Aluminum Cookware
White corrosion spoils the beauty of pan and causes damage. Removing white corrosion is not so tough.
You need to remove white corrosion with purified water. Mix lemon juice with water and apply the mixture over the white corrosion. Scrub it with a soft-bristled brush.
Now rinse it properly. You can use a mild scrubber to scrub also. Dry your pan with a clean soft rag after washing.
Ways Of Polishing
Aluminum cookware is normally coated with a non-stick finish. The process of polishing is so simple.
First of all, mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice with a cup of water. Now put the mixture on your aluminum cookware and heat it. Boil it and turn off the stove. Rest it for 5 minutes.
Now empty the pan and scrub with a steel wool scrubber in a back and forth way. Now hand washes it with mild soapy water. However, Rinse it properly with warm water. Now dry it with a soft clean cloth. Store your cookware in a convenient place in the kitchen. To learn more about how to clean vintage aluminum cookware, continue reading.
Precautions
As you are learning how to clean vintage, you need to know the precautions to keep your cookware protected from damage.
1. Avoid Abrasive Cleaners
Don’t use abrasive cleaners to clean vintage. It may cause damage to your cookware.If the surface is damaged then cooking food will be difficult and you will face problems cleaning it next time. So you should avoid using abrasive cleaners.
2. Avoid Detergent Based Dishwashers
You may use mild dish soaps or dawn power cleaner rather than detergent-based dishwashers. Aluminum reacts with other products. So if you use detergent-based dishwashers, it will cause a reaction and your cookware will be darkened or discolored.
3. Use Purified Water
You should be careful while washing vintage aluminum cookware. Aluminum reacts with minerals. So you should use purified water to clean vintage cookware. Otherwise, the reaction with minerals will discolor your cookware.
4. Don’t Use Abrasive Scrubbers
Abrasive scrubbers may cause damage and leave scratches on your cookware. They are rough. Moreover, it may cause bacterial growth. So, Using abrasive scrubbers is unhygienic too. You should use a soft sponge or a soft rag to clean your cookware.
5. Rinse and Dry Properly
You need to wash your cookware after cleaning very well so that no residue is left. Especially when you are cleaning with vinegar. Vinegar is undoubtedly a very good cleaner and removes black stains so well. But you need to ensure that no layer of vinegar is stuck on the surface. Otherwise, it will stick the food on the bottom while cooking.
Dry your cookware with a paper towel or a soft clean cloth. Wipe gently. Then store your shiny vintage aluminum cookware in a convenient place in the kitchen.
6. Don’t Leave Baking Soda On the surface For Too Long
Baking soda is a strong cleaner. But if it sits on the surface it may react with the aluminum and cause damage. So keep it on the surface for a short time which is needed but make sure it is not kept for too long.
Conclusion
Vintage aluminum things is easy to use for a long time if you keep it clean. You need to clean it regularly and in the right process. Discoloration and stains can be removed but you need to take care of your cookware to avoid further complications. This article provided you easy ways of how to clean vintage aluminum cookware.
Hope you have loved this article which helped you to know how to clean vintage cookware and also how to protect them. Let us know your opinions through your comments. Enjoy your day.
