Much like brass cleaners, chemical rust removers can be found in any hardware store. But many household cleaning items—like baking soda, lemon juice, vinegar, and even soda—can do the trick. Once you learn how to remove rust, that wrench or expensive chef's knife will look brand-new.
Citric Acid
Citric acid comes from citrus fruits. It has a high acid content, making it one of the fastest ways to remove rust from metal. To use it, mix the citric acid powder with water according to the instructions on your package. Place your citric acid in a sink or tub, and submerge your metal item.
When aluminum is rubbed against the rust, the aluminum loses electrons, while the iron oxide (the rust) gains electrons, turning back into metal. The aluminum acts as a reactive surface that removes the rust, while also creating a layer of oxide that prevents the metal from rusting further,' she explains.
Get rid of rust.
Add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide, just enough to form a paste. Rub the paste onto the rusty objects, wait an hour, then wash them with water. This method works best for light to moderately rusted items like tools and toys.
CLR proved to be a versatile rust cleaner that nicely addressed the entire range of applications we tested.It can be used for small household appliances like coffee pots or teakettles, and also on surfaces like tile, vinyl and concrete.
I had my doubts...but, it really works! on my iron fountain... This stuff is great! Just spray it on and leave for a few minutes and wipe it off! This dissolves the rust within minutes.
White vinegar.
The acetic acid in this common household product is acidic enough to dissolve rust. You can soak smaller things like earrings, wipe it onto a surface with an old cloth, or just pour it directly over rust spots or bolts and screws that have rusted together.
Rust converters chemically react with rust, changing it into a different, inert compound still on the object. Rust removers react with the rust to convert it into other compounds, which then separate from the object. This is the first fundamental difference.
One of the best chemicals for removing rust is phosphoric acid. Phosphoric acid is a strong acid that reacts with iron oxide (rust) to form iron phosphate, which can be easily removed. It can be found in many commercial rust removal products or can be purchased in a concentrated form and diluted with water for use.
Tools that are too large to fit in a container can be wrapped in a cloth soaked with vinegar and sprinkled with salt, then put in a plastic bag. The vinegar-and-salt mixture needs time to break down the rust. This can take anywhere from one to three days.
After 2 minutes rinse promptly with cold water. Never leave CLR Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover on an area for longer than two minutes. If the stain does not disappear, repeat this process and add more CLR Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover solution as necessary.
Salt and Lemon Juice/Vinegar
Acidic solutions such as lemon juice and vinegar, along with a little bit of salt applied to the rusted areas, are another DIY method of rust removal from your tools. Leave for a few hours then remove.
What Makes Coca-Cola Such an Effective Cleaner? Coca-Cola is carbonated, which allows it to dissolve with metal oxides and break up rust on a variety of metals and alloys. Phosphoric acid also gives it rust-busting power, while citric acid makes it an effective stain remover.
Vinegar and Baking Soda:
Backing powder can work wonders with rust. It makes an effective paste mixed with vinegar. Rub the paste onto the rust spots and leave to work for at least 30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.
Don't use it to clean rust
OxiClean is not recommended for use on rust. Oxygen is a major ingredient in OxiClean and an essential contributor to rust. Better to go with a product like Whink Rust Stain Remover to clean rust from metals and rust stains from fabrics.
“When you add peroxide to dish soap, it breaks down into oxygen and water. The soapy water then traps that oxygen, creating bubbles, making your dish soap extra foamy.”
Applying vinegar to rust dissolves the oxide and leaves behind a water-soluble salt that you can remove easily. It is called neutralisation, and this reaction happens between rust and acetic acid, which is why cleaning vinegar helps remove iron oxides from household surfaces and objects.