If you own a hardware or building supply shop that sells aluminium sheets for siding or other purposes, you want those sheets to look clean and shiny for your customers. However, over time, the aluminium in your showroom can become dusty, or it can oxidise and develop a thin dark coating. Luckily, you can easily clean your aluminium sheets with these tips:

1. Remove dust and debris.

Before you apply any water or cleaners to your aluminium sheets, thoroughly remove dust and debris. Use a dry cloth or a soft-bristled brush to clean your aluminium sheets, and if anything is stuck to them such as food dropped by a passing customer, you can use steel wool to remove it.

2. Choose a cleaner.

Before you start cleaning your aluminium, you need to decide if you are going to use a corrosive powered cleaner or a wet acid-based cleaner. The advantage of the first type of cleaner is that it can effectively remove a lot of crusted-on elements with minimum scrubbing, but it may scratch the surface of the aluminum, making it unattractive to your clients.

Acid-based cleaners, in contrast, require a bit more scrubbing, but they are gentler on aluminium. Best of all, you can make them yourself. Before making your final decision on cleaning products, however, talk with your aluminium supplier -- they can let you know what works best with the aluminium they have sold you.

3. Make a homemade cleaner.

Making your own homemade aluminium cleaner is fairly easy. Mix a litre of water with 250 mL of vinegar or lemon juice and stir in approximately 30 mL of cream of tartar. Bring this mixture to a boil, and let it cook until everything is dissolved.

Remove the cleaner from the heat, let it cool and pour it into a spray bottle. Then, spritz your aluminium sheets with the cleaner and gently rub it off. Rinse with plain water when you are done.

4. Consider adding a protective coating.

Once you have finished cleaning your aluminium sheets, you can add a protective coating to them. That keeps the aluminium looking shiny, and it creates another layer of protection against oxidation.

To add a protective coating, you can simply apply a thin layer of lemon or olive oil. Use a soft rag and apply in a circular motion.

To get more tips and cleaning and protecting aluminium, contact an aluminium supplier.