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Removing rust from steel


3 Easy Ways to Remove Rust From Metal

By

Mary Marlowe Leverette

Mary Marlowe Leverette

Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40 years' experience; writing for over 20 years.

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Updated on 08/08/22

Reviewed by

Amanda Rose Newton

Reviewed by Amanda Rose Newton

Amanda Rose Newton holds degrees in Horticulture, Biochemistry, Entomology, and soon a PhD in STEM Education. She is a board-certified entomologist and volunteers for USAIDs Farmer to Farmer program. Currently, she is a professor of Horticulture, an Education Specialist, and pest specialist.

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In This Article

Project Overview

Rust can form on some metal surfaces when iron, oxygen, and moisture collide. It's best to remove the rust as soon as you see a small spot because it will continue to corrode the metal the longer it stays on the surface. While there are dozens of commercial rust removers, the acids found in pantry products, such as vinegar, lemon juice, and potatoes, can break the bonds of small amounts of rust from some metals. Add the abrasive action of borax, baking soda, or salt, and you may never need to buy a commercial remover.

Here are three ways to remove rust from metal.

Tip

Caring for your tools and equipment properly can prevent surface rust. Be sure to clean and oil garden tools before storing, hand-wash and dry kitchen knives instead of putting them in the dishwasher, and store metal items where they'll be protected from excessive moisture.

Illustration: The Spruce/Daniel Fishel

Before You Begin

Every type of metal reacts differently when cleaned. Before you begin any type of rust removal, consult the manufacturer's manual if you have one. If the item is valuable or an antique, consult an expert or test your homemade rust remover on an inconspicuous area first.

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

Keep all rust-removal ingredients away from children and pets. Although these ingredients are less harsh than most commercial rust removers, they still can pose risks if not handled properly.

The 9 Best Rust Removers of 2022 to Use on Any Surface

Equipment / Tools

Materials

The Spruce / Almar Creative

How to Remove Rust With Vinegar

  1. Cover 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. 

    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.

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  3. Scrub 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 that have detailed carvings or small nooks and crannies.

    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.

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

How to Remove Rust With a Lemon Juice Paste

  1. Make a Paste

    Mix two parts borax or baking soda and one part 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.

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  2. Apply the Paste

    Use a sponge to thickly apply the paste to the rust, and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. If the paste begins to dry out, spritz it with a bit of water to hydrate it. If there is a large area of rust, mix more paste.

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  3. Scrub the Rusty Area

    Use a brush to scrub the rusted metal. The scrubbing will help lift the rust from the surface. If any rust remains, repeat the steps.

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  4. Rinse and Dry

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

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

How to Remove Rust With Baking Soda and a Potato

Potatoes contain oxalic acid, a common ingredient in commercial rust removers. When a potato is combined 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.

    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 at least a few hours. When you pull the knives out of the potato, the rust should wipe right off.

    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.

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

Attack Rust Stains on Clothes With Cleaners From Your Cupboard

Originally written by

Erin Huffstetler

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. She's covered money-saving advice and tricks for numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Forbes, among others. She is the owner of "My Frugal Home," a money-saving, frugal living how-to guide.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Article Sources

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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

5 Easy Ways to Remove Rust from Metal in Seconds!

8th July 2020

When a piece of Iron, Iron alloys or steel is exposed to water and oxygen it has a reaction called oxidisation. The appearance of this corrosion is a red-brown flaky coating and is commonly referred to as Rust. 

Humidity and temperature with Oxygen can also cause rusting so don’t think that just because your jewellery tools are kept inside that they won’t fall foul of rusting.

All metals are susceptible to corrosion in some form or another, but the term ‘Rust’ is only used when referring to Iron, Iron alloys and steel.

Now we’ve established which metals will rust we can eliminate these and say that every other metal will corrode or tarnish, to some degree or other.  

Copper is the common culprit in most things we see that have tarnished.  The Patina (greenish coloured staining) is caused by the copper oxidising and this results in the build up of this tarnished layer

Sterling silver in particular is made up of a mixture of metals including copper which is why you sometimes find a ring of green colouring on your finger.  

Aluminium, Brass, Bronze, Galvanised steel, Stainless Steel, COR-TEN steel, Copper, Titanium, and noble metals such as Gold, Silver, and Platinum are all metals that do not rust. They can corrode, stain, or tarnish, but they will not rust. 

There are numerous ways to remove rust, oxides and corrosion from just about anything. Some methods use household cleaning products, aluminium foil and acid, and some are rotary tool attachment's for an easy, quick and mess-free removal of rust. Take a look at the list below for further information. 

1. Fiberwheels. Abrasive Buff Wheels

See the before and after images, along with the very short video below:

2. Abrasive Rubber Polishers

See the before and after images, along with the very short video below:

3. Steel Brush Wheel or Aluminium Foil

An effective method of rust removal is by using steel and aluminium as an abrasive.

4. Salt and Lemon Juice/Vinegar

5. Baking Soda (Bicarbonate of Soda)

The best way to deal with rust of course is to avoid it in the first place so keep your tools dry and out of humid and damp conditions. 

Tools should be regularly cleaned, oiled and maintained. 

Other methods to prevent rusting are protective finishes applied to steel such as Bluing (often used on small steel items for watches and clock mechanisms) powder coatings (These could be acrylic, vinyl, epoxy etc) or Galvanizing (molten zinc coating)

How to remove rust from metal at home

Published:

Rust on metal: Pixabay

Corroded areas can be cleaned with normal aluminum foil. If corrosion is stopped in time, objects can be saved. Effective ways to clean rusty metal objects at home were suggested by housekeeping experts S. Potapkin, Yu. Maricheva, I. Tikhonova and M. Zhukova.

Mechanical removal

Rust is a product of spontaneous destruction of iron and its alloys (steel, cast iron). A yellow-red or greenish coating appears due to the oxidation of the metal under the influence of water, oxygen or chemical oxidizing agents, in particular acids.

If the metal is slightly oxidized, the rust can be easily removed with hard abrasive tools, among which the most popular are:

Aluminum foil can remove rust deposits. Do this:

  1. Tear off a large piece of foil and roll it into a tight ball.
  2. Dip a foil ball into table vinegar.
  3. Use the foil as a rust brush - rub the rusted areas with force. The foil is less rough than steel wool, but it does an excellent job of removing rust.
How to remove rust: NUR.KZ

Toilet bowl cleaners

If the rust coating is solid, use radical methods - chemical solutions. Great for removing rust from any iron alloy homemade toilet cleaner. It contains alkali or acid (hydrochloric, oxalic), which dissolves oxide molecules.

The agent is available in the form of a gel, liquid or powder. The gel preparation is best suited for metal processing. To get rid of rust, do this:

  1. Apply chemical to problem area.
  2. Leave for 10 minutes.
  3. Remove rust with a dry cloth or soft brush.
  4. Wash the metal surface with warm water.

The main condition when using household chemicals is caution. Avoid skin contact with acid and inhalation of vapors. Wear rubber gloves and a respirator when working.

Anti-corrosion agents

Another radical way to get rid of traces of oxidation is the use of special anti-corrosion agents. The chemical solution interacts with the iron oxide, dissolving it in minutes. At the same time, the agent forms a protective film that prevents the reappearance of rust. There are 2 types of anti-corrosion agents:

Rust can be removed as follows:

  1. Clean the metal surface from dirt and loose layer with sandpaper or a metal brush.
  2. Treat the rusty surface with a degreaser.
  3. Brush or spray one coat of rust inhibitor.
  4. Let dry (approx. 30 minutes). Then clean the rust with a piece of dry cloth.
  5. Apply a second coat of rust inhibitor.

After drying (2-4 hours) the metal is ready for painting.

Rubber gloves and respirators protect when working with acids: Pexels

Citric acid

Citric acid powder does an excellent job of removing iron oxide from the surface of steel objects without damaging the metal. Cleansing instructions are simple:

  1. Wash the rusty object in soapy water (10 ml of liquid detergent per 1 liter of warm water).
  2. Pour warm water into a plastic container and add citric acid powder (50 g per liter of liquid). Stir.
  3. Dip a rusty object into the solution and leave for 24 hours.
  4. Remove the tool and inspect it. If in some places the oxide has not gone away, rub it with a brush.
  5. Wash the treated metal in a soapy or soda solution so that it does not oxidize, and clean with sandpaper.

S. Potapkin and Yu. Maricheva, authors of the work “Desk book on housekeeping. 1000 practical tips for all occasions”, recommend rubbing the treated areas with hot fine sand or wood ash after rust removal. After, if necessary, the cleaned places are painted over.

Vinegar

Synthetic (table) or natural vinegar (apple, wine) is an aggressive product that contains acid. The drug disinfects, kills harmful bacteria on the metal, quickly corrodes rust. Author of the book “A Clean Home is a Happy Home. Useful tips on putting things in order and comfort "M. Zhukova offers a simple way to clean taps and other metal objects:

  1. Dilute white vinegar with water 1:1.
  2. Spread the resulting solution over all rusty areas with a kitchen sponge. Strongly rusty items are best completely immersed in a solution of vinegar.
  3. Leave for several hours (2 to 24 hours).
  4. Remove items and brush if necessary. Rinse with water afterwards.

The cleaned surface oxidizes quickly, therefore it is necessary to protect it from oxygen by coating it with grease or paint.

Soda and salt

Iron and cast iron utensils rust quickly from frequent contact with water. To remove rust from metal utensils, follow these Cosmopolitan tips:

  1. Scrub the item with an abrasive wire brush. This will remove burnt food debris and the top rusty layer.
  2. Wipe dry with a cloth towel.
  3. Put the pot/pan on the stove (high heat). Heat until the pan is evenly hot.
  4. Mix baking soda and table salt in equal proportions.
  5. Apply mixture to hot item.
  6. Rub problem areas with a brush or coarse cloth. As you rub, the mixture will darken and the cast iron will clear.
  7. Remove salt and soda residue. Dry the item clean with a dry cloth.

If you need to clean iron tools, do not heat them. Prepare a mixture of salt and soda, add a little water to make a homogeneous thick slurry. Apply the mixture to the rusty areas, soak for 30 minutes, then rub with aluminum foil or a brush.

After such cleaning, the integrity of the surface structure of the metal is violated, so it is necessary to apply protective agents. The sealer will close the access of water and air to the metal, stop the further spread of rust.

Salt will help get rid of rust: Unsplash / blackieshoot

Other gentle options

If you are afraid of ruining a metal item, use gentle rust removal methods. Several options for cleaning iron and its alloys were presented by I. Tikhonova in the book "Soviet Housekeeping":

  1. Ketchup or tomato sauce. This is the fastest and safest way to remove rust from metal. Apply the tomato composition to the rusty areas, hold for 10-20 minutes and rinse with water.
  2. Vinegar, salt and flour. This composition removes rust from brass. Mix 120 ml white vinegar, 1 tsp. salt and a few tablespoons of flour to form a pasty consistency. Apply the paste to the rusty area and leave it alone for 30 minutes. Then wipe the surface with a dry cloth, rinse with water and dry with a towel.
  3. Potato. The vegetable contains oxalic acid, which destroys rust. Sprinkle salt on a piece of peeled potato and rub the rust.
  4. Fish oil. It should be applied to problem areas, kept for 2 hours, then remove the rust with a sponge. It should be noted that fish oil forms a film on the surface that prevents further rusting of the part.

Means for combating metal corrosion are different. Choose a rust remover based on the degree of damage to the metal. Sandpaper, fish oil, ketchup or vinegar will cope with small rusty spots, remove extensive rust with aggressive substances or chemical compounds.

Original article: https://www.nur.kz/household/cleaning/1679507-kak-udalit-rzavcinu-s-metalla-v-domasnih-usloviah/

How to remove rust from metal at home

Each of us has metal items at home: kitchen utensils, decorative elements, wrought iron furniture or something else. All are at risk of corrosion damage. Also, in the bathroom, rusty smudges form on the plumbing due to improper care.

Therefore, you need to know how to remove rust from various surfaces and restore their former attractiveness.

Now we will tell you how to properly deal with corrosion at home so as not to harm metal products. Consider simple and affordable options, and also talk about special rust converters.

The folk remedies below are just one of the many remedies that can be found to combat rust. Note that these funds really show good results. They have stood the test of time and have proven themselves well in the kitchens and bathrooms of many housewives.

We wash rust with vinegar

The most popular folk remedy is vinegar. With its help, many housewives wash the mold and eliminate unpleasant odors.

To remove rust from objects:

It is better to take apple or wine vinegar, it is more aggressive, which means it will cope with rust more effectively; Vinegar must not be used on aluminum surfaces as it may damage their protective layer

Removing rust stains in the toilet bowl

Use vinegar to remove running water tracks in the toilet bowl.

The surface of the toilet bowl is designed for daily use of disinfectants and the use of aggressive chemicals. However, this should not be abused, violation of the top layer of the glaze structure will lead to faster contamination and a deterioration in appearance.

During the general cleaning of the apartment, rust and other difficult dirt are removed from the surfaces, regular cleaning helps prevent its occurrence. Also, to keep the plumbing clean, you can use blisters for the toilet. They will prevent rust.

A gentle way to remove rust with salt and lemon

Using rusty kitchen utensils, you risk worsening your teeth, getting problems with the intestines, gallbladder and kidneys. This method will help remove rust from dishes and cutlery, help clean a metal sink. It will turn out economically, simply and effectively. And most importantly, it allows you to get to hard-to-reach areas.

This method is effective for small rust spots. For example, at a construction site, a stain from a rusty nail will be removed. With deep penetration into the surface, the method may be ineffective.

An effective way to remove rust with baking soda

Mix water and baking soda to a paste. This paste should be applied to the surface for 20-30 minutes. And after the time has passed, clean everything with a hard sponge or brush.

It is worth noting that this method is not suitable for the case when rust has already thoroughly eaten into the metal.

Removing rust in the bathroom with household chemicals

There are many products on the market today in the chemical industry, the action of which is aimed at removing rust.

Comet, Domestos and Sanox will do a great job of removing rust from a toilet bowl.

The last resort is effective despite its budgetary cost.

In the product lines "Cillit BANG", "Mr. Muscle", "Unicum" there are sprays designed for gentle cleaning of surfaces, both for bathtubs and toilet bowls.

For direct cleaning of the bathroom, choose products marked “bath”. The use of harsh chemicals can ruin acrylic surfaces just as well as abrasive products.

Choose your cleaning products responsibly when cleaning your home. Do not use toilet bowl cleaners when cleaning bathtubs. This common mistake leads to surface damage, loss of appearance and the growth of dangerous bacteria.

Mechanical rust removal

If you do not want to use chemistry or the above methods, you can resort to a more radical solution - metal cleaning by mechanical methods.

The first option is sandpaper cleaning. First, the surface is cleaned with sandpaper of a higher grit, and then fine-grained. The main thing is to thoroughly clean everything and not miss a single area with rust - otherwise it will quickly appear again.

The second option is to use a manual or mechanical brush with metal bristles. When cleaning, the product must be securely fixed in a vice. How long it takes to clean the surface depends on the degree of damage. We recommend using brushes with brass-plated wire. They are the most effective in the fight against corrosion.

These procedures must be completed by degreasing with kerosene and applying a special anti-corrosion primer to the metal. And, of course, everything needs to be painted with enamel and acrylic paint to protect the metal from corrosion.

These methods are great for removing rust from wrought iron or garden furniture. They are also good for metal interior elements.

Household chemicals: rust converters

Now it's time to talk about special anti-corrosion agents called rust converters. And here are the most effective ones.

Tsinkar

Russian made converter with highly effective rust control formula on ferrous metals. The composition contains zinc salt compounds. They not only remove corrosion, but also protect the cleaned area from its reappearance. You can buy the product in a jar or in the form of an aerosol.

After use, the agent must be washed off with concentrated soda solution. Otherwise, the metal will quickly rot.

Rust converter "Tsinkar" has high cleaning performance and affordable price.

Sonax

Imported product, quite popular among Russian motorists. It does an excellent job of removing rust from various metals.

Contains no aggressive acids. This means that the product can be used on paintwork and in places where metal comes into contact with rubber.

But it should be noted right away that this converter should be used with gloves and a respirator. The composition of the product is extremely toxic.

Sonax can also be used as a primer - when it dries, it turns into a polymeric compound.

Chain mail

Another domestic rust converter. Its main difference from the previous "chemistry" is that it can be used without personal protective equipment. After all, there are no acids in the composition.

"Kolchuga" has a high penetrating power and is ideal for automotive metal.

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