According to one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the amount of one or more contaminants in an initial ultra high molecular weight polyethylene composition may be reduced by a method including contacting the initial ultra high molecular weight polyethylene composition with an acid to form a processed ultra high molecular weight polyethylene composition. The initial ultra high molecular weight polyethylene composition may include at least 0.02 wt. % of one or more contaminants. The contacting of the acid with the initial ultra high molecular weight polyethylene composition may be for a time, at a pressure, and at a temperature sufficient to reduce the amount of the one or more contaminants in the initial ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.