Tips on Making Care of Aluminum Cookware "Aluminum cookware designed for service and display is almost always made of polished bare aluminum or porcelain-finished aluminum." Polished Aluminum Wash in dishwasher or by hand with mild soaps Porcelain-Finished Aluminum Wash by hand or in dishwasher. Use almost any type of powder, soap, and even steel wool. Mirror Bright Aluminum Wash with mild soaps. Nylon pads can dull the finish. If you ever have an aluminum pot that becomes blackish on the inside from cooking, try cooking tomatoes or sauerkraut in the pot. Or add two tablespoons of cream of tartar to every quart of water in the pot and bring to a boil. Our Almanac also suggests you see care of aluminum by contacting the Aluminum Association. This association has tips and tricks on caring for popular aluminum. ... Aluminum has been in the news lately! If you haven't heard, the Trump administration had issued tariffs on al...