How to Remove Rust from Pots and Pans

Co-authored by James Sears

Last Updated: November 18, 2022 References

Rusty pots and pans don't have to go straight to the trash can. Most of them can be easily salvaged with a little bit of patience and elbow grease. However, if you pan is warped or cracked, dealing with the rust likely isn't worth your time, and the pan should be discarded.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using Salt

1
Gather up table salt and a brown paper bag. The salt acts as a gentle abrasive, helping you to easily scrape up the rust without damaging the pan.^{[1]
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2
Pour the salt in the rusted pan. Pour enough to lightly cover the area you need to rub off with a thin coating.

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3
Scour it with the brown paper. If the salt gets really rusty, dispose of it and add fresh salt.
4
Season the pan to avoid future rust. Pan seasoning is especially important for cast-iron pans, as it protects them and makes them easier to cook and clean in the future.
- To season the pan, pour 1 to 2 Tbsp (15 to 30 ml) of vegetable oil or melted shortening into the pan, then spread it around using a paper towel to coat the entire pan.
- If the pan is oven-safe, bake it for 1 hour at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.^{[2]
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- If the pan is not oven-safe, heat the oil in the pan on the stovetop until it smokes.
- Once cool, rub the oil into the pan using another clean paper towel.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Scouring the Pan

1
Use steel wool to remove thin layers of rust from most pans. If your cookware isn't stainless steel, try scouring the rust off with fine steel wool.^{[3]
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- Use a little bit of dish soap when scrubbing. This can prevent major scratching to your pan.
2
Use gentle scrubs, like Bar Keeper's Friend, for stainless steel. If steel wool is unavailable or your cookware is stainless steel, try scouring the rust off with Bar Keepers Friend and a plastic scrubby.
3
Use all-natural scrubs for any pan, rubbing hard to remove the rust. If you need a more natural or earth-conscious solution, try the following scouring options that our ancestors used to scour off rust:
- Horsetail Rush- plants in genus Equisetum.
- A paste made from equal parts lemon juice and cream of tartar.
- Fine-grained sand (not on stainless steel though).

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using Potato Scrubs

1
Cut the potato in half. Any potato will do. This method is gentle, but is only suitable for thin, surface-level rust marks.
2
Coat the potato in baking soda. Place potato cut side down in some baking soda to coat the flat side lightly with baking soda. You can pour a little bit of baking soda on a plate dip the potato in as it rubs off.^{[4]
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- If you don't have baking soda, some people say the plain potato will work, or you can use the potato with a little bit of dishwashing liquid on it.
3
Rub the cut side of the potato on the rusted item to remove rusty areas. Rinse pan to remove loosened rust.
4
When the potato gets too smooth to remove any more rust, cut off a thin slice of potato and go back to step two.
5
Repeat steps 2-5 as needed to remove all rust. Again, this is only suitable for thin layers of rust. If you have serious issues, return to one of the earlier methods.^{[5]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using Vinegar or Lemon Juice

1
Use gentle acids to remove rust. You can soak pans or pots overnight in an acidic solution to weaken the rust, then remove it later.^{[6]
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Research source} Some options include:
- Baking Soda and water
- Vinegar
- Lemon juice.
2
Soak the pan overnight in the acidic solution. You can mix in a little water too to cut the acidity. Add 1-2 tablespoons of salt for even better results.
3
Scrub the rust in the morning.^{[7]
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Research source} You can use steel wool for bigger patches of rust, but a lemon rind is one of the best scrubs you can use for gentle washing.

EXPERT TIP

James Sears
Professional Cleaner
James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James is an expert in all things clean and provides transformative experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a current Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.

James Sears
Professional Cleaner

Try scrubbing with baking soda to remove any rust that's left. Soak the pot or pan in white vinegar, then pour the vinegar out of the pot and sprinkle baking soda over the bottom to form a paste. Use the hard side of a sponge to scrub this baking soda paste over any remaining rust.
4
Repeat again if there is any more loose. Be sure to rinse the pan out between soakings, however, as the vinegar could damage the finish if left on for too long.^{[8]
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Community Q&A

Question

How can I prevent my pots from rusting?

LillianneStarr

Community Answer

Wash and dry them right after use. If you do leave them out to soak, don't submerge them and scrub them well when you wash. If your pots are dishwasher safe, use that.
Question

How do I get melted hard plastic off the bottom of a stainless steel pan?

Community Answer

Heat it up with a hair dryer and carefully wipe it off with a disposable towel.
Question

Can dryer sheets to clean rust out of a pan?

Community Answer

Not likely. Instead, experiment with some of the suggestions in this article.