How to Clean an Oxidized Aluminum Kirby Vacuum

Cleaning the Oxidation

• 1

  Pour a quart of warm water into a bucket and add a squirt of liquid dishwashing detergent to create a soapy solution.

• 2

  Add a mildly acidic ingredient to the cleaning solution. About a half of cup of white distilled vinegar or lemon juice is generally acceptable. Another option is to add 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar to the water. It is a mild abrasive that brightens the metal, yet it does not scratch the surface.

• 3

  Saturate a sponge with the acidic cleaning solution. Squeeze out the sponge so it doesn't drip.

• 4

  Wash the aluminum parts of the Kirby vacuum with the cleaning solution. Rinse your sponge when necessary with clean water and submerse it again in the solution. Continue until the aluminum shines.

Cleaning Pitted Aluminum

• 5

  Dip a piece of soap-filled steel wool into a medium-sized bowl filled with warm water.

• 6

  Squeeze the steel wool lightly to create suds and prevent drips.

• 7

  Clean the Kirby aluminum surface with the soapy steel wool. This removes any unsightly pitting. Use a fresh piece of steel wool if necessary to complete the task.

• 8

  Saturate a cleaning cloth with warm water. Squeeze it out and rinse off the aluminum thoroughly.