How to Remove Rust

Remove Rust With Vinegar

1. Submerge the Item in Vinegar

   • Submerge the rusted item in undiluted distilled white vinegar.
   • If the item is large or has electrical components, liberally spray vinegar on the rusty area or place a cloth saturated with vinegar over the rusted area. 

   Tip

   Cleaning vinegar is 20 percent stronger than distilled white vinegar and will produce better and quicker rust removal.

2. Allow to Soak

   • Allow the object to soak in the vinegar for at least 30 minutes.
   • Check the progress. Excessive amounts of rust will require longer soaking, up to two hours.
     

   Warning

   Metal objects may appear black after soaking in vinegar or lemon juice, but they should return to their original color after rinsing in water.

3. Scrub Away Surface Rust

   • Remove the item from the vinegar and use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub the rusty areas.
   • An old toothbrush works well for pieces with detailed carvings or small nooks and crannies.

4. Rinse and Dry

   • Rinse the metal well with water and dry it thoroughly with a soft, microfiber cloth.
   • Repeat the process or try another cleaner if any rust remains.

Remove Rust With a Lemon Juice Paste

1. Make a Paste

   • Mix two parts of laundry borax or baking soda and one part of lemon juice in a small bowl to form a paste.
   • The paste should be easily spreadable but not too runny. You may need to adjust the proportions of the ingredients.

   Tip

   Use lemon juice to make a similar paste to get rust stains out of fabric.

2. Apply the Paste

   • Use a sponge to thickly apply the paste to the rusty area.
   • Let the paste sit for at least 30 minutes.
   • If the paste begins to dry out, spritz it with water to hydrate it.

3. Scrub the Rusty Area

   • Use a brush to scrub away the rust from the metal.
   • If any rust remains, repeat the steps.

4. Rinse and Dry

   Rinse the item well and dry completely before using or returning the item to storage.

Remove Rust With Baking Soda and a Potato

Raw white potatoes contain oxalic acid, a common ingredient in commercial rust removers. When a potato combines with a gentle abrasive, it can be an effective natural rust remover.

1. Prepare the Potato

   Slice the potato in half, and sprinkle the cut side with salt or baking soda.

2. Rub the Potato on Rust

   • Rub the cut side of the potato over the rusted area.
   • Add more salt or baking soda to act as an abrasive as you scrub the rusty spots.

   Tip

   If you have rusty spots on your kitchen knives, plunge them into a potato and let them sit for a few hours. When you pull the knives out of the potato, the rust should wipe right off. Discard the potato.

3. Rinse and Dry

   • Rinse the object with water and dry thoroughly.
   • If rust stains remain, try another method of removal.

Remove Rust With Cream of Tartar

Cream of tartar (found in the baking aisle) is an excellent rust remover. Here's how to use it:

• Make a paste with 1/4 cup of cream of tartar and 1 cup of distilled white vinegar.
• Cover the rusty area with the paste and allow it to work for at least five minutes.
• Scrub the metal with a soft-bristled brush.
• Rinse and dry the metal.

Remove Rust With Citric Acid Powder

If you don't have lemons or lemon juice, use powdered citric acid. Here's what to do:

• Make a paste by mixing equal parts citric acid powder and baking soda with 1/2 part water in a small bowl to form a paste. Adjust the amount of water if the paste is too runny.
• Use a sponge to apply the paste to the rusty metal. Let the paste sit for at least 30 minutes.
• Use a damp brush to scrub away the rust from the metal. Rinse the item and dry well.

Convert the Rust

A rust converter is a chemical that converts the rust to a black coating and prevents more rusting but it does not technically remove the rust. Do not use a rust converter on aluminum, copper, stainless, or galvanized steel. It can be used on iron or steel objects, from railings to gates and gardening tools. Here's how to use it:

• Remove loose, flaky, or excess rust from the surface using a stiff, bristled brush or sandpaper. Clean the surface with a degreaser and let the surface dry.
• Apply the rust converter using a brush or a roller. Let the chemical dry for 20 minutes and cure for 24 hours but read instructions for the manufacturer's suggested drying and curing times. Apply a second coat per the instructions.
• After the rust converter has fully cured, prime the item with good-quality oil-based metal primer. Paint over converted rust using only oil-based paint, not latex.

Additional Rust Removal Methods

• If the rust isn't heavy, try spreading ketchup on the area. Let it sit for at least two hours, and then wipe it away. Repeat if needed.
• To remove rusty water spots on kitchen tools, crumple up a ball of aluminum foil and rub it briskly over the area. Keep moving to a clean spot of the foil as the rust transfers.
• If homemade rust removers don't work, try a cleaning product that contains oxalic acid such as Bar Keepers Friend. Follow the label directions for removing rust from metal.
• Try a heavy-duty commercial rust remover for tough rust. Find these items in hardware and home improvement centers. The chemicals may be more effective for extreme cases of rust than home remedies.

How to Prevent Rust

• Apply oil or paste wax to metal surfaces not used for food preparation.
• Avoid scratches to protective coatings and keep the metal clean.
• Paint the metal.
• Hand-wash and dry kitchen knives instead of putting them in the dishwasher.
• Store metal items like garden tools properly and avoid long-term exposure to moisture.
• Choose coated or galvanized metals.