How to Remove Rust on Metal

When metal rusts, it’s not always a good idea to throw it away and buy a new tool to replace it. Instead, you can save money by manually removing rust stains.

Table of Contents

Remove rust with home remedies

Use white vinegar. Vinegar reacts with rust and makes them disappear. To use, soak the metal object in white vinegar for a few hours and then start scrubbing away the rust.

If the item is too large to soak directly in the white vinegar solution, you can pour a layer of the solution over the item and let it sit for a few hours. You can also use a cloth soaked in vinegar to clean the rust.
You can try soaking the foil in vinegar and using it as a brush to scrub away the rust. Foil is less abrasive than steel wool, but it will also help you get rid of rust.
You can use regular vinegar and simply soak metal objects in vinegar for about 24 hours before rinsing them out. You do not need to rub the item.

Use lemon and salt. Sprinkle salt over the rusted area so that the salt covers the entire rust area and then squeeze the lemon in. Use as much lemon juice as you can and let the mixture sit for 2-3 hours before scrubbing.

Use lemon zest to rub on the mixture. Lemon peel has the ability to remove rust without damaging the metal.
You can also use yellow lemon instead of regular green lemon.

Make a paste from baking soda. Mix baking soda with water until it forms a thick paste and then apply it to the rust on the metal. Let it sit for a few minutes and start scrubbing the rust.

You can use a toothbrush to scrub the baking soda mixture, then rinse with water.
The ratio of baking soda to water is up to you, not an exact ratio.

Use potatoes and dish soap. Cut the potatoes in half and soak the cut side in the dishwashing liquid. This will help create a chemical reaction against the rust and make the rust easier to remove. Place potatoes on metal utensils and let stand for a few hours.

You can continue to use this method by slicing off the surface of the used potato and adding more dishwashing liquid, then letting it sit on the metal for a few hours.
If you don’t have dish soap, you can use potatoes with a mixture of baking soda and water. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Remove rust with store-bought materials

Use chemicals to remove rust. Various chemicals can be used to clean rust stains. They are usually made of phosphorus and oxalic acid and can be harmful to the skin. Always be careful when using chemicals to remove rust.

Follow the instructions for use printed on the product packaging, each type of product usually has a different usage.
These chemicals need to be left to sit for a few hours on metal and need to be scrubbed afterwards, so be prepared to spend a little bit of effort on scrubbing.
These types of products can be expensive and are usually only effective for removing small rust stains on metal, but cannot be used on heavily rusted surfaces. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Rust transformation. Look for rust converters to prevent further corrosion. The rust transfer agent is similar to spray paint, and acts as a primer on rusty surfaces.

This method only helps prevent further corrosion, it is not as effective as completely removing rust on metal objects.
This is only a temporary option if you plan to repaint the furniture. And this method will also make the surface of the item rough because mainly you just apply a layer of paint to cover the rusted surface.

Use abrasive tools to scrape rust. This method takes a lot of work, but you can effectively remove the rust by scraping off the rust. Use tools you have at home like a screwdriver, or you can rent tools from hardware stores.

Steel wool is usually easy to use and is one of the tools that are commonly available at home.
Use an electric grinder to remove rust on large objects. You should start with a heavy rust and then slowly move on to a lighter rust to minimize the roughness of the metal.
Any metal tool can be used to scrape off rust, however, be sure to use fine-grained sandpaper to remove any scratches if present.

Use citric acid. Buy a small jar of citric acid powder from the supermarket in the baking ingredients section.

Put a little citric acid in a plastic container and fill it with hot water, enough to submerge the surface of the rusty tool. You can watch the bubble foaming reaction if you like!
Soak items overnight then rinse and dry.

Rust on clothes

Remove rust on clothes. If your clothes come into contact with rust by chance, you can remove the rust using a mixture of lemon juice and water.

Pour the lemon juice mixture over the rusted area, but don’t let it dry. Use water to clean the area with lime juice and rust.
Rinse clothes after using lemon juice to aid in rust removal.
For thick fabrics with stubborn rust stains, in addition to lemon juice, you can also add a little salt.

Rust on bricks or concrete

Removes rust from brick or concrete. Make a mixture of 7 parts lime-free glycerine, 1 part sodium citrate (available at drugstores), 6 parts warm water, and just enough calcium carbonate powder (chalk) to make a thick paste. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Apply the mixture to the rusted area and let it harden. Then use the metal tool to scrape it off.
If the rust has not been completely removed, you can do this method again.

Rust on porcelain or ceramic

Removes rust on porcelain or ceramic. Make a paste from borac and lemon juice and then apply the mixture to the rusted area. Scrub with a pumice stone, and repeat if needed.

Do not use this method for ceramic kitchen utensils, as it may scratch the item.
Dry the ceramic or porcelain immediately afterwards to prevent new rust from forming. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Rust clinging to stainless steel

Removes rust on stainless steel. Use fine sandpaper (such as sandpaper for filing nails) and rub the stainless steel object. Then use a slice of onion to rub on the item, and rinse with hot water. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Rust on tools

Remove rust from tools with diesel oil. Use 1 liter of diesel (real diesel, not the usual fuel additives). Put oil in a container and soak rusty tools (such as pliers, screws etc.) in the oil for one day.

Remove the soaked tool from the box.
Scrub the tool if needed, using a copper brush to scrub it (you can buy a brush at hardware stores, it’s about the same size as a toothbrush).
Use an old cloth to wipe the item clean before use, and the tool will return to the way it was originally purchased.
Close the lid of the oil can so that it can be used for future rust treatment.

Prevent rust

Keep metal dry. Rust is a chemical process in which iron oxidizes and begins to peel off the metal layer. It is caused by metal being immersed in water or exposed to water too often.

Store metal in a cool, dry place to avoid moisture accumulation.
Always remember to wipe the metal off after contact with water.

Primer coating. If you plan to paint your metal work, apply a primer first so the main coat can last longer and help protect the metal from moisture.

If the metal surface is smooth, you can use a primer in the form of a spray paint.
Metal with a rough surface needs to be painted with a brush to cover the slits or holes in the metal.

Apply an extra coat of paint. A coat of topcoat over the primer will help prevent moisture from accumulating on the metal. Use high quality paints for best results.

Spray paint is also effective for metal objects, however, if applied with a brush, the paint will be more durable.
Apply a final coat of paint to reduce the rate of oxidation. ^{[6] X Research Source}

Advice

When using chemicals to remove rust, make sure you are in a well-ventilated area. Depending on the chemical, in the process of cleaning objects, toxic fumes may be generated, such as acid fumes.
Combine the steps together for extra rust removal power. For example, if you want to remove rust on a chain, soak it in vinegar for a few hours, then use steel wool or a wire brush to scrub the item. Metal utensils can rust as they dry, so apply an extra coat of paint to protect them.

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