Material
Aluminium
Aluminium needs stain treatment matched to its exact composition, coating and tolerance for moisture, chemicals and abrasion. Start with the mildest compatible route.
- SurfaceNon porous
- WashingSpot only
- Colour run riskMedium
- Reviewed2 September 2026
What aluminium can and cannot take
- Heat Use with care
- Water and soaking Tolerates it
- Acids, including vinegar Avoid
- Strong alkalis Avoid
- Solvents Use with care
- Chlorine bleach Avoid
- Abrasives Avoid
Always test on a hidden area first and let it dry before you treat the visible mark.
General rules for aluminium
Use diluted mild detergent with a soft cloth, rinse and dry. Avoid strong acid, alkali, bleach, abrasive and prolonged degreaser contact because aluminium can pit, darken or lose its finish.
Check the label
Identify bare, anodised, brushed, painted or lacquered aluminium. The finish, rather than the base metal, sets the cleaning limit.
Stains on aluminium
- Body oil Lift free oil from aluminium, then clean a small area with a maker-approved mild detergent solution and a sof...
- Breast milk Blot the spill, identify the finish and use a controlled cold clean only where permitted. Where the maker per...
- Coffee Wipe coffee off aluminium promptly with a soft cloth. Check the finish and maker care rules first. Do not tre...
- Cooking grease Lift and blot cooking grease from Aluminium, then use a small amount of diluted washing-up liquid only if the...
- Deodorant Lift loose deodorant from aluminium with a dry white cloth, then wipe the remaining film with cool water and...
- Nail polish Lift free polish gently if the face permits contact. A maker-approved mild damp wipe can clear loose residue,...
- Pet urine Blot until nearly dry, then use only the cool-water quantity aluminium can tolerate. Use a labelled pet urine...
- Sweat Blot sweat from Aluminium, test a weak cool detergent wipe, remove residue with minimal moisture and dry prom...
Aluminium can be damaged by a cleaner that is harmless on another surface. Identify the substrate, coating, finish and adjacent parts before treating a stain.
Use the least aggressive route
Use diluted mild detergent with a soft cloth, rinse and dry. Avoid strong acid, alkali, bleach, abrasive and prolonged degreaser contact because aluminium can pit, darken or lose its finish.
Judge only when dry
A remaining patch may be residue, a changed patina, coating loss or absorbed contamination. Stop if a hidden test changes colour, gloss, texture, adhesion or strength.
Sources
What we checked and when. Where a manufacturer instruction disagrees with anything here, follow the manufacturer.
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Hem care instructions for metal finishes
manufacturer
Furniture manufacturer guidance covers chrome, copper, brass, powder-coated steel and stainless steel, using diluted mild detergent and soft cloths while excluding unapproved chemical and abrasive cleaners.
Checked 2 September 2026
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Magnet kitchen owners manual for metal finishes
manufacturer
Kitchen manufacturer guidance covers stainless and brushed steel, chrome, copper and brass, recommending dilute liquid soap, immediate rinsing and drying, and warning against bleach, acid, solvent, alkali and coarse abrasives.
Checked 2 September 2026