How to Remove Rust from Metal

Co-authored by Dario Ragnolo

When metal has rusted, throwing it away and buying a replacement isn't always an option. You can remove rust using household ingredients such as aluminum foil and a mild acid like white vinegar, or with special rust-removing chemicals. With any rust-removing method, it will take some patience and some elbow grease to remove the rust. But with some time and effort, you'll be able to remove rust from many metal surfaces.

Method 1

Method 1 of 8:

Household Remedies

1
Use white vinegar.^{[1]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} The vinegar reacts with the rust to dissolve it off of the metal. To use, soak the metal in white vinegar for a few hours and then scrub the rusty paste off with an old toothbrush.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Dario Ragnolo
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 13 August 2019.}
- If the object is too big to soak directly in the white vinegar, pour a layer over the top and allow it time to set. You can also wipe it down with a rag soaked in vinegar.
- Try dipping aluminium foil in the vinegar and using it as a brush to scrub off the rust. It is less abrasive than steel wool, but will still do the trick in removing the rust.
- You can use regular vinegar and simply allow your rusty metal objects to soak in it for up to 24 hours before rinsing. This method should not require as much scrubbing.
2
Try a lime and salt. Sprinkle salt over the rusted area so that it is thoroughly coated and then juice a lime over the top. Use as much juice as you can get, and allow the mixture to set for 2-3 hours before scrubbing off.
- Use the rind from the lime to scrub the mixture off. It is strong enough to remove the rust without further damaging the metal.
- A lemon can also be used instead of a lime.
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3
Make a paste using baking soda. Mix baking soda with water until it is thick enough to spread on the metal.^{[3]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} Allow time for it to set and then scrub off with a soft bristle brush.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Dario Ragnolo
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 13 August 2019.}
- Try using a toothbrush to scrub the baking soda off, and rinse with water.
- The baking soda mixture can be watered down as much as you would like, there is no exact recipe.
4
Try using a potato and dish soap. Cut the potato in half and cover the cut end in dish soap. This will make a chemical reaction with the rust, making it easier to remove. Place the potato on the metal and leave it for a few hours.
- To reapply, simply cut off the used end of the potato and add more soap, letting it soak into the metal for more time.
- If you don’t have dish soap, you can use baking soda and water instead with the potato.^{[5]
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5
Use oxalic acid. Take protective precautions with this method––use rubber gloves, goggles and protective clothing. Do not smoke or directly inhale the fumes of the acid.
- Wash the rusted item with washing-up liquid rinse and carefully dry.
- Mix about 25ml (a teaspoon is 5ml) of oxalic acid with 250 ml of warm water.
- Soak the item for approx 20 minutes or clean down the item with a cloth or brass brush.
- Wash fully and dry the item when rust removal is finished.

Method 2

Method 2 of 8:

Store-Bought Options

1
Use a chemical remover. Many different types of chemicals can be purchased to help dissolve rust. They are typically made from phosphoric or oxalic acid and can be harmful to bare skin. Always take precautions when using a chemical to dissolve the rust.
- Follow the directions for your rust-removal product, as application may vary between products.
- These chemicals often need to set for a long time and require scrubbing afterwards, so be ready for a little extra work.
- These products can be expensive and only work for small-scale projects, not larger rusted items.^{[6]
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- Don’t you aggressive chemicals on delicate appliances or surfaces.^{[7]
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  Expert Source
  
  Dario Ragnolo
  House Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 13 August 2019.}
2
Convert the rust. Purchase a rust converter which works to stop rust from eating away any more of the metal. It is similar to a spray paint, and acts as a primer for a coat of paint over the top as well.
- Although this stops rust from expanding, it may not be as effective as completely removing the rust from the metal.
- This is only an option if you plan on painting over the metal. It will also leave a rough texture under the paint, as you are essentially just adding a covering to the rust.
3
Use abrasive tools to scrape the rust off. This method requires a lot more elbow grease, but you can effectively remove rust by simply scraping it off. Use tools from your garage like a screwdriver, or rent tools from a local hardware store.
- Steel wool is easy to use and something you may already have in your home.
- Use an electric sander to remove rust on large pieces. Always start with the roughest grain and slowly move to finer grains to minimize the roughness of the metal.
- Any metal tool can be used to scrape metal, but use a fine grain sandpaper afterwards to try to remove any marks the scraping may have made.
4
Use citric acid. Buy a small box of citric acid in the powder form from your favorite supermarket in the baking/cooking goods area.
- Put some citric acid in a plastic container and pour in hot water, enough to cover the item being cleaned. For fun you can watch the bubbles reacting!
- Leave overnight then rinse and dry.

Method 3

Method 3 of 8:

Clothing

1
Remove rust stains from clothing. If you happen to come into contact with rust, you can remove the residue from your clothing using lemon juice and water.
- Apply lemon juice to the affected area, but don’t let it dry. Use water to rinse the juice and rust away.
- Wash the article of clothing after using the lemon juice to aid in removing the rust.
- For heavier fabric with a worse rust stain, you can also apply salt to the area in addition to lemon juice.

Method 4

Method 4 of 8:

Brick or Concrete

1
Remove rust stains from brick or concrete. Create a paste of 7 parts lime-free glycerin, 1 part sodium citrate (available from drug stores), 6 parts lukewarm water, and enough powdered calcium carbonate (chalk) to create a thick paste.^{[8]
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- Spread the paste over the rust-stained area and leave it to harden. When it does, use a metal tool to scrape it off.
- If the stain has not been fully removed, use the same method and apply the paste again.
- Go over it as much as you can to get it off.

Method 5

Method 5 of 8:

Rust stains on porcelain or ceramics

1
Clean porcelain and ceramics of rust stains. Use a paste of borax and lemon juice and spread over the area. Scrub it off using a pumice stone, and reapply if necessary.
- Don’t use this method on ceramic cookware, as it will damage the material with scrapes.
- Dry off the ceramic or porcelain afterwards to prevent new rust from forming.^{[9]
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Method 6

Method 6 of 8:

Stainless Steel

1
Remove rust from stainless steel. Use a very fine grain sandpaper and rub down the stainless steel with it in a circular motion. Follow this by rubbing it down with a slice of onion, and rinse with hot water.^{[10]
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Method 7

Method 7 of 8:

Tools

1
Remove rust stains from tools with diesel. Get a liter of diesel (actual diesel, not the fuel additive pictured). Pour it into a can and place the rusty tool (such as stuck pliers, screwed items, etc.) in it for a day.
- Remove the soaking tool from the can.
- Brush if needed, using a brass brush (from Dollar stores, size of a toothbrush).
- Clean it with an old rag before using, and behold, the tool will work again.
- Put the lid back on the diesel can and use again for future rusty tools.

Method 8

Method 8 of 8:

Preventing Rust

1
Keep metal dry. Rust is a chemical process in which iron oxidizes and begins to flake away the metal. This is caused by water that soaks into the metal or comes in contact with the metal frequently over time.
- Try to keep the metal in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture buildup.^{[11]
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  Expert Source
  
  James Sears
  House Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.}
- Always thoroughly dry metal after it comes in contact with water.
2
Apply a primer. If you plan on painting your metal, use a paint primer to help the paint to stick and keep the metal away from moisture.
- If the surface of the metal is smooth, you can use any spray-on primer.
- A rough metal surface needs to be primed with a “filler” primer which will work to fill in any divots or pocks in the metal.
3
Apply solid coats of paint. Paint, in addition to a good primer, will keep metal away from moisture. Make sure you use a high quality paint for the best results.
- Spray paint works well for metal, but applying paint with a brush will help it to stick better.
- Seal the paint with a clear top coat to reduce the rate of oxidation.^{[12]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

What's a good home remedy for cleaning rust off of metal?

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James and the team have nine years of experience and offer green cleaning, interior and exterior window washing, and general apartment cleaning services. He provides transformative cleaning experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.

James Sears

House Cleaning Professional

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You can always mix white vinegar and baking soda with some hot water to make a cleaning paste. Scrub whatever you're cleaning with a sponge to help lift the rust.
Question

What substance removes rust from metal?

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James and the team have nine years of experience and offer green cleaning, interior and exterior window washing, and general apartment cleaning services. He provides transformative cleaning experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.

James Sears

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

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White vinegar will remove rust from metal. You could also mix a paste of baking soda and water and use that to remove rust from metal.
Question

How can I remove rust from painted metal?

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If the metal underneath the paint is rusted, you’ll need to remove the paint first and then apply a rust-removing solution, such as vinegar or a commercial rust remover. However, if the rust stains are only affecting the surface of the paint, you can probably scrub it off with a cloth and some liquid detergent or a vinegar and baking soda paste.