Going Green with Rust Removal: A Natural Cleaning Tip That Works

What is Rust?

That reddish-brown coating on metal surfaces forms when metal reacts with oxygen and moisture to form iron oxide, also known as rust. This is called oxidation and occurs in iron and its alloys, such as steel.

This process weakens the metal, causing it to degrade and lose strength. Rust can appear on anything from tools and car parts to kitchen utensils and outdoor furniture. Regular maintenance and rust prevention methods can help prolong the life of metal objects and keep them looking their best.

Why Choose Natural Methods as a Cure for Rust?

Natural rust removal methods are effective and safer for you and the environment. They often utilize common, non-toxic, budget-friendly, and readily available household ingredients.

Baking Soda and Water Method

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, remains one of the most effective natural cleaners for rust removal. Check out this TikTok video from Sheets Laundry Club for another version of how to remove rust using baking soda.

Mix baking soda and water to form a paste and apply it to the rusty item. Let it sit for 30 minutes to a few hours. Then, scrub the paste away gently with a toothbrush, rinse, and dry. Dry thoroughly to prevent future rusting.

Vinegar and Baking Soda Mixture

Vinegar is acidic and helps dissolve rust, making it a powerful partner for baking soda.

Create a paste with equal parts baking soda and vinegar. Apply the paste to the rusted areas and let it fizz for a few minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush to remove loosened rust, then rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly.

Lemon and Salt Scrub

Lemon juice, which contains citric acid, helps break down and cure rust, while salt acts as a mild abrasive to help remove it when scrubbing.

• Sprinkle salt over the rusted area.
• Squeeze lemon juice over the salt to create a paste.
• Use the lemon rind or a toothbrush to scrub the rusted spots.
• Rinse with water and dry thoroughly.

Potato and Dish Soap Method

Potatoes may seem like a strange addition, but these tubers contain oxalic acid, which helps dissolve rust.

Cut a medium-sized potato in half and dip it in dish soap. This can be any potato, although it should be large enough to handle easily. Rub the potato directly onto the rusted area until the rust starts to flake away. When the item is clean, rinse and dry thoroughly and compose the potato.

Sweet Molasses Soak

Molasses may seem like an unexpected choice for how to get rid of rust, but it's highly effective specifically on iron objects. Avoid using this method on other types of metal objects.

To make the soak, dilute one part molasses with nine parts water, then submerge the rusted item in the molasses solution for 24 to 48 hours. Once submerged, the molasses and iron oxide (rust) bind together, which pulls away, freeing the rusty object from its rust. After soaking, scrub the item with a brush to remove any remaining rust, rinse and dry completely.

Can You Use Coca-Cola for Rust Removal?

Using Coca-Cola to remove rust is a unique and environmentally friendly approach. Try it next time you need to tackle rust stains—you may be surprised with the results!

Coca-Cola can remove rust because of the phosphoric acid present, which helps to break down rust and make it easier to remove. The rusty object should be soaked in Coca-Cola without dilution. However, while Coca-Cola can be effective for light to moderate rust stains, it may not work as well on heavily corroded surfaces.

After using Coca-Cola, consider applying a protective coating to the metal to prevent future rusting.