Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Better Life

How to clean rust off steel

Using ingredients you already have. - by Livia Gamble
  • 29 Oct 2021

It's completely natural for rust to occur when steel becomes exposed to oxygen and water for an extended period. But not to worry, you can clean rust off steel with ease using a few household items.

WATCH: How to clean your car like a professional

When metals such as iron and steel are exposed to oxygen and moisture, you get rust. If ignored, corrosive orange spots will appear on your tools, pots, pans. Luckily, removing surface rust on steel is simple and can be done with a few items you already have in the cupboard.

Here are our top 5 methods to remove rust from steel

1. Salt and citrus

lemon clean
Getty

Cover the affected area in salt. Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the salt. Leave for a few minutes. Using the lemon rind, rub off the residue.

2. Potato and dish soap

Cut a potato in half, covering the fresh surface with dishwashing liquid. Rub the soapy potato on the item and watch the surface rust disappear before your eyes.

3. Vinegar

If possible, submerge the item in vinegar and soak overnight. Once they've had a good soak, using either steel wool or a wire brush scrub. This process does require some patience and repetition. Once all the rust has been removed, clean with regular dish soap and water and make sure it dries properly.

4. Baking Soda

remove rust baking soda
Getty

For items with light or minimal rust, baking soda works a treat. Mix water and baking soda into a thick paste and spread the paste all over the metal, making sure to cover all the rusty spots. Let the paste sit for an hour, then scour using steel wool or a wire brush. Once finished, rinse under running water and dry thoroughly.

5. Citric acid

This baking item can be found in most supermarkets and does a great job at removing rust. Add two to three tablespoons of citric acid to a bowl of hot water and let your rusty steel objects submerge overnight. The next day, you'll be pleasantly surprised to see the rust dissolve with a light scrub.

You might also like:

How to remove mould stains from common household surfaces

Clean your oven in less than five minutes

  • Better Life
  • Hacks
  • Cleaning
Livia Gamble
Livia Gamble
Based in Sydney, Livia Gamble will not sleep until she has discovered every possible way to use bi-carb soda and vinegar. When she isn’t reporting on ways to improve your home and garden, she can be found knitting socks (by choice) and will never say no to pizza.

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

11 of the best mops for tiles, laminate and wooden floors

11 of the best mops for tiles, laminate and wooden floors

How to clean up Christmas tree needles

How to clean up Christmas tree needles

How to clean your stove top grates

How to clean your stove top grates

6 alternative uses for lemons

6 alternative uses for lemons

{headline}

{headline}

How to clean a can opener

How to clean a can opener

The easy trick to keeping your linen cupboard tidy

The easy trick to keeping your linen cupboard tidy

40 surprising ways to use bi-carb soda in the kitchen

40 surprising ways to use bi-carb soda in the kitchen

{headline}

{headline}

How to organise and clean a smelly fridge

How to organise and clean a smelly fridge

10 things around the home that you need to clean every year

10 things around the home that you need to clean every year

7 cult cleaning products influencers swear by

7 cult cleaning products influencers swear by

5 cleaning mistakes everybody makes

5 cleaning mistakes everybody makes

26 things to throw out before the end of the year

26 things to throw out before the end of the year

How often should you clean your water bottle?

How often should you clean your water bottle?

5 things that make your kitchen look messier than it is

5 things that make your kitchen look messier than it is

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription