7 Tricks to Remove Rust with Home Ingredients

While all are equally good at removing rust, you can opt for one method over another depending on the amount of time you have and what you need to clean.

It’s normal for certain metal objects to rust over time. Regular use, exposure to moisture, and lack of care can gradually make them deteriorate and reduce their lifespan. So, how can we remove rust from these objects?

Fortunately, there’s no need to throw these metal objects away when they start to rust since there are some tricks that will help you remove rust and leave them looking like new.

First of all, you need to be able to identify rust on your household objects. The faster you remove it, the less likely it’ll be to spread and ruin the item completely. Once you detect it, you can try some natural solutions!

Home ingredients to remove rust

There are several reasons to look for solutions to fight the rust that begins to deteriorate metal items in our home. First, because it damages the material and decreases the useful life of the element. And secondly, because, when it’s produced in excess, it can compromise health.

As detailed in a report published in the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, prolonged exposure to smoke or dust from this substance can cause negative health effects, mainly in the respiratory system. Therefore, it’s best to avoid risks, even if exposure in the home is low.

There are currently several commercial products that claim to eliminate corrosion from the many metal household objects. However, there are also a number of household ingredients that are safe to use and seemingly useful.

Although there’s no evidence to support their use for this purpose, they’ve been used in popular culture for decades. Thus, try them out and see for yourself if they’re effective!

1. Baking soda

How do you use it?

• Moisten a little baking soda with water and apply it to the objects that have been damaged by rust.
• Scrub the object with a toothbrush or a soft sponge that won’t scrape the item.

2. Apple cider vinegar

The acids in apple cider vinegar can seemingly remove the rust that can build up on objects made of iron. It’s very easy to apply:

• Pour enough apple cider vinegar into a bowl to completely cover the object you want to clean.
• Let it soak overnight, and, the next day, scrub it with a brush or abrasive sponge.
• If you notice that the rust continues to persist, let it soak for a couple more nights.

3. Lemon

The application of lemon juice can help to remove the rust on metal objects in our home. In fact, it can also help when metal leaves stains on clothing. Here are the steps you need to take to apply it:

• Sprinkle a little salt over the area you want to treat and add a good amount of lemon juice.
• If it’s a stained garment you’re worried about, soak it in a bucket with hot water and fresh lemon slices.

4. Molasses

Molasses is the extract of sugar cane, which is used to sweeten foods and prepare several natural remedies. If you’d like to use it to remove rust, then follow these steps:

• Dissolve a quarter cup of molasses (85 g) in two liters of water.
• Soak the object overnight and clean it the next day.
• Repeat the same procedure if the rust isn’t completely removed.

5. Raw potato

The oxalic acid in potatoes is highly effective at removing mold particles. When you use it on objects or clothing, it can help to repair the damaged item. Follow these steps to use it:

• Peel a potato, grate it, and rub it on the affected areas.
• For better results, you can enhance its effects with a little baking soda or vinegar.

6. Fire

Some metallic objects can be subjected to high temperatures without warping or damaging them. If any of your rusty items fit this bill, try heating them to restore their original luster:

• After making sure your object is free from plastic parts or flammable paint, proceed to heat it until it’s almost red in color.
• When you remove it from the heat, hit it a few times using a blunt object that won’t change its shape.
• Be sure to protect your hands to avoid burns.

7. Aluminum foil

A simple piece of aluminum foil can be useful for removing rust from lots of iron or steel items. If you try this trick out, follow these steps:

• Cut a sheet of aluminum foil into several inch and a half pieces and soak them in water.
• Rub the foil on your rusty item and switch to a new piece as needed.
• You’ll see that the rust will begin to disappear and your object will regain its original luster.

In short, you can try out many solutions on those rust stains on metal objects in your house. However, in the absence of evidence of their effectiveness, they may not work for you in some cases.