5 Easy Ways to Remove Rust From Metal

Skip commercial cleaners and use items from your pantry

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 15 - 30 mins
  • Total Time: 1 - 3 hrs
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $5 to 10

Metal develops rust when iron, oxygen, and moisture collide. Fortunately, if you catch it in the early stages you can remove rust easily. While there are dozens of commercial rust removers, you probably have the products you need to remove rust from metal in your pantry. Here are three easy ways to remove rust from metal.

Metal scraper with rust surrounded by removal materials

The Spruce / Almar Creative

rust remover illustration

Illustration: The Spruce/Daniel Fishel

Before You Begin

Every type of metal reacts differently to cleaners. Before you begin any method of rust removal, consult the manufacturer's manual if you have one. If the item is valuable or an antique, talk to an expert or test your homemade rust remover on an inconspicuous area before attempting to clean the piece.

When cleaning rusty items, protect countertops and wooden surfaces with a plastic drop cloth or tarp to prevent staining or damage.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • 1 old large glass or plastic bowl
  • 1 spray bottle (optional)
  • 1 to 2  microfiber cloths
  • 1 soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush
  • 1 plastic tarp
  • 1 sponge
  • 1 knife
  • 1 set measuring spoons
  • 1 small bowl

Materials

  • 1 bottle distilled white vinegar
  • 1 box borax
  • 1 bottle lemon juice
  • 1 container salt
  • 1 box baking soda
  • 1 raw white potato

Instructions

Materials and tools to remove rust from metal

The Spruce / Almar Creative

How to Remove Rust With Vinegar

  1. Submerge the Object in Vinegar

    • Submerge the rusted object in undiluted distilled white vinegar.
    • If the object 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.

    Vinegar sprayed on metal scraper with rust

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  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.

    Metal scraper with rust soaked in bucket with vinegar

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  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.
    Hard-bristle brush scrubbing rust off metal scraper

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  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.
    Clean rag wiping off rust from metal scraper

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

How to 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.
    Lemon juice squeezed and mixed with baking soda for paste

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  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.
    Clean rag applying paste to rusty metal scraper

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  3. Scrub the Rusty Area

    • Use a brush to scrub away the rust from the metal.
    • If any rust remains, repeat the steps.
    Old toothbrush scrubbing paste into rust on metal scraper

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  4. Rinse and Dry

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

    Microfiber cloth drying metal scraper after rinsing paste

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

How to 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.

    Baking soda sprinkled on potato half

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  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.

    Potato rubbed on rust with baking soda

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  3. Rinse and Dry

    • Rinse the object with water and dry thoroughly.
    • If rust stains remain, try another method of removal.
    Metal scraper rinsed and dried with microfiber cloth

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

How to Remove Rust With Cream of Tartar

Cream of tartar (found in the baking aisle) is an excellent rust remover.

  1. Make a Paste

    • Make a paste with one-fourth cup of cream of tartar and one cup of distilled white vinegar.
    • Cover the rusty area with the paste and allow it to work for at least five minutes.
  2. Scrub, Rinse, and Dry

    • Scrub the metal with a soft-bristled brush.
    • Rinse and dry the metal.

How to Remove Rust With Citric Acid Powder

If you don't have lemons or lemon juice, use powdered citric acid.

  1. Make a Paste

    • Mix equal parts citric acid powder and baking soda with one-half part water in a small bowl to form a paste.
    • Adjust the amount of water if the paste is too runny.
  2. Remove the Rust

    • 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.

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.

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.
FAQ
  • What is the fastest way to remove rust from metal?

    Using a commercial rust remover that contains oxalic acid is the fastest way to remove rust from metal. Most work within just a few minutes of application. Homemade methods are not as strong and take longer to break the bonds of rust from the metal.

  • What is the best homemade rust remover?

    Combining cleaning vinegar and baking soda is the best homemade rust remover. The vinegar breaks down the rust particles and the gentle abrasive action of the baking soda helps scrub them away from the metal.

  • Does Coke remove rust?

    Yes, sometimes, if you have lots of time on your hands. Coke does contain phosphoric and citric acids that dissolve rust but only in very small amounts. It can take up to 24 hours to remove even a small amount of rust. There are more effective and efficient ways to remove rusty toilet rings and clean metal.

  • Does Bar Keepers Friend remove rust?

    Yes. Bar Keepers Friend contains oxalic acid, an effective rust remover. It is available in a powdered formula that works well on tools and in a liquid formula that is less abrasive for cleaning stainless steel to prevent scratching. Follow the label directions carefully.

Originally written by
Erin Huffstetler

Erin Huffstetler is a frugal living expert who has been writing for over 10 years about easy ways to save money at home.

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  1. Selection and Use of Home Cleaning Products. New Mexico State University.