Getting rid of rust is so simple that you might just blame yourself for throwing away any old rusted tool or toy.
The metal itself oxidizes, breaking down, causing rust. Rust is not simply a funky substance on your metal; it’s the metal itself.

Fortunately, you can easily remove rust from your prized possessions – and better yet, you probably have all you need in your kitchen already!

🟢 Vinegar bath

When used on items that are all steel or on tools with significant rust, a vinegar bath can remove the rust with very little elbow grease. Even though it needs to be left to work overnight, this rust removal method is simple and can be left to work without needing to check on it constantly.

Leave your rusty item submerged in white vinegar overnight. After soaking, remove rust with a metal brush or steel wool. If the rusted item cannot be submerged, soak a rag in white vinegar and wrap it around it.

⚪ Baking soda

You can use this inexpensive ingredient to remove rust from rusty baking pans, thin metal, and light rusted rings. Even though it can often take an hour to remove the rust, the initial process is straightforward.

Method:

▪ After rinsing and shaking your metal item dry, dust it with baking soda, covering all rusty areas.
▪ Allow to soak for an hour, then scrub with a metal brush or steel wool before rinsing and drying with a towel.

⚫ Wire Brush

For small amounts of rust on larger items, you can use a handheld wire brush instead of soaking it in acid. Multiple wire metals are available. Almost any type of metal can be cleaned with a brass wire brush.

Carbon steel wire brushes are suitable for iron and carbon steel items. Stainless steel wire brushes work well on aluminum, copper, brass, and stainless steel surfaces. Aluminum should be cleaned with a stainless steel wire brush to prevent rust from returning.

🟡 Remove rust from porcelain sink with lemon and salt

Slice a lemon in half and dip it in salt.
Scrub the stain gently…and dang! This works like a charm! The rust stain will be gone in no time with this amazing combination!

🟤 Raw Potato

Grab a raw potato if you need to remove rust from metal with a smooth surface. Potatoes contain oxalic acid, which was discussed earlier in this article. You will need to cut them in half to reveal the inside.

Method:

▪ Cut a potato in half. Make sure you cut it the long way so that you can cover more area.
▪ Apply baking soda or salt to rust or stains.
▪ Make sure the potato is rubbed against the rusty spot.
▪ Afterwards, rinse the object with water and let it dry.
▪ It is possible to remove rust from a knife by simply sticking it in a potato. You should let it sit for several hours so the oxalic acid can do its work. Then, wash the knife normally.

🔵 WD-40

This product is ideal for light rust situations and it’s 8-inch flexible straw can help get into hard-to-reach places. Born from rocket science, our WD-40 Multi-Use Product contains the same trade secret formula that was used to prevent corrosion on the Atlas rocket in 1953.

Method:

▪ Spray it on the surface, wait ten minutes, and scrub it off with something abrasive.
▪ Because of its lubricating properties, it loosens the bonds between the rust and the metal surface.
▪ Additionally, it protects against rust by deterring moisture after its initial application.