| About Metal Polishers & Cleaners
Common hazardous ingredients
Ammonia, denatured alcohol, naphtha, oxalic acid, petroleum distillates,
phenolic derivatives, phosphoric acid, silica, sulfuric acid, thiourea,
tripolyphosphate
Potential hazards
Irritant; flammable; toxic; many aluminum cleaners contain hydrofluoric
acid, which is extremely corrosive to the skin. It can cause blindness
and is toxic.
Use and storage
Avoid using products that contain hydrofluoric acid. Use according
to label instructions. Keep containers tightly closed when not in
use. Store in a locked cabinet or out of reach of children and pets.
Disposal
Best: Use up or give away. Dispose of empty container in
the garbage.
Second Best: Hold for a household hazardous waste collection.
In Oregon, call 1-800-732-9253 to find out if there is a hazardous waste
collection event scheduled in your community, or call your garbage hauler,
local government solid waste department or the Oregon Department of Environmental
Quality at (503) 229-5913 or toll-free at 1-800-452-4011.
Alternatives
For chrome
- Wipe with a soft cloth dipped in vinegar. Rinse with water and dry.
- To make chrome fixtures shine brightly, wet with water and rub with newspaper.
For copper and brass
- Make a paste of lemon juice and salt. Rub with a soft cloth. Rinse with water and dry.
- To retard tarnish, rub brass with a cloth moistened with olive oil after polishing.
- Cover articles to be cleaned with catsup. Let stand for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly and
dry.
For silver
- Rub object gently with toothpaste, using a cotton ball to avoid scratching.
Rinse well with water. Caution: Test first on an inconspicuous area.
- Place a sheet of aluminum foil in the bottom of a pan, add enough
hot water to cover object to be cleaned, and add 1 or 2 teaspoons of salt
or baking soda. Wait a few minutes until silver is shiny again, then
remove, rinse and buff dry with a soft cloth. Caution: Do not
use this method on silver plate. Test first.
For stainless steel
- Use baking soda, olive oil or mineral oil for shining.
- To clean and polish, moisten cloth with vinegar and wipe clean.
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