How to Prevent & Clean Rust Off Metal

When metal has rusted, throwing it away and buying a replacement isn't always an option. Luckily, it’s easy to remove rust with various household items or commercial rust removing products. For this article, we interviewed different cleaning specialists to teach you all the best home remedies and commercial methods for removing rust from metal. Plus, learn how to prevent rust in the first place, what causes rust, how to remove rust from other surfaces, and get answers to common questions about removing rust.

How to Get Rust Off Metal

If the metal is very rusty, soak it in white vinegar overnight, then scrub the remaining rust away with steel wool or a scouring pad. If there’s only a small amount of rust, make a paste out of baking soda and water, or scrub the rust away with salt and fresh lemon juice. Alternatively, use a commercial rust remover.

Section 1 of 6:

Removing Rust with Household Remedies

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1
Clean very rusty items with white vinegar. White vinegar reacts with rust to effectively dissolve it off of most metals. If the rusty item is small enough, soak it in a bowl or bucket of white vinegar overnight. If the item is too large to soak, pour the vinegar directly onto the rust and let it sit for a few hours. Then, scrub the rust off with a scouring pad, wire brush, or steel wool.^{[1]
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- Another option is to wrap the object in rags soaked in vinegar then wipe the rust away.
- If steel wool is too abrasive, try dipping aluminum foil in the vinegar and using it as a brush to scrub off the rust.
- Don’t use this method on painted surfaces, as the vinegar may damage the finish.
2
Make a baking soda paste for light rust stains. If the item isn’t too rusty or is made of thin metal (like knives), mix some baking soda with enough water to create a thick paste. Spread it on the metal and let it sit for at least an hour. Then, scrub the paste and the rust off with a metal brush, steel wool, or an old toothbrush. Rinse the metal with water and dry it thoroughly.^{[2]
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- The baking soda mixture can be watered down as much as you would like, there is no exact recipe.
- Another option is to rinse the metal with water and sprinkle plain baking soda onto the rust. Let it sit for about an hour, then scour it with steel wool.
- In general, cleaning expert Dario Ragnolo says baking soda is a great way to remove rust from appliances: “There are different ways to remove rust from appliances, depending also by how bad the rust is. A mix of baking soda and water with the use of a brusher will help remove the rust. Also, a more aggressive way is to use a product that has oxalic acid in it.”^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Dario Ragnolo
  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 13 August 2019.}
- Cleaning expert James Sears recommends a baking soda and vinegar paste to remove rust from pots and pans: “Wash the pots and pans with hot water and let [them] soak in white vinegar, which is acidic. Empty the liquids from the pan and sprinkle baking soda to make a baking soda paste. Scrub this baking soda paste over the rusted areas with the hard side of the sponge.”^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  James Sears
  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.}
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3
Use dish soap and a salted potato on small stains. Potatoes contain oxalic acid, which can dissolve rust. Cut a potato in half, cover the cut section with dish soap, and sprinkle some salt (or baking soda) on it—the salt acts as a mild abrasive to help scrape off the rust. Rub the rusted area with the potato until the rust is removed.^{[5]
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- To reapply, simply cut off the used end of the potato and add more soap.
- This method works well for metal without detailing or relief work.
- If you have a rusty knife, simply stick it in a potato and leave it there for a few hours.
4
Remove small amounts of rust with a lemon and salt. Lemons contain acids that help dissolve rust, while salt acts as an abrasive to scrub it away. Sprinkle some salt over the rusted area so that it’s thoroughly coated. Then, squeeze fresh lemon (or lime) juice on top. Let the mixture sit for about 2 hours, then use the lemon rind to scrub away the rust.^{[6]
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- In most cases, the lemon rind will be strong enough to remove the rust without damaging the metal. If the rust is stubborn, however, try using steel wool or a scouring pad.
- Alternatively, make a paste by combining 2 parts baking soda with 1 part lemon juice. Apply the paste to the rust and let it sit for at least 30 minutes before scrubbing it away.
In a bowl, mix together 1/2 cup (118 ml) baking soda, 1/4 cup (59 ml) vinegar, and 2 tbsp (29 ml) lemon or lime juice. Use a cloth or an old toothbrush to apply the mixture to the rust and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Then, rub the toothbrush in a circular motion to remove the paste and the rust. Repeat as necessary, then rinse and dry the painted metal.^{[7]
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Apply citric acid to unpainted metal. Add 2-3 tbsp of citric acid to a bowl of hot water. Submerge any unpainted, rusty objects in the solution and leave them overnight. Then, scrub away the dissolved rust with steel wool or a wire brush and dry the surface thoroughly.^{[8]
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- Find citric acid in health food stores or in the baking aisle of many supermarkets.
- Citric acid is known to remove paint and other coatings, which is why you shouldn’t use it on painted metal.
Create a paste by mixing 1 part cream of tartar with 4 parts distilled white vinegar. Apply the paste to the rusty area and let it sit for at least 5 minutes. Then, scrub the paste and the rust with a soft-bristle brush. Rinse the metal and dry it thoroughly.^{[9]
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Clean stainless steel with sandpaper and an onion. Rub the rusted area on stainless steel with a very fine grain sandpaper, using a circular motion. Then, rub the surface down with a slice of onion—onions contain amino acid sulfoxides that help break down rust. Finish by rinsing the surface with hot water.^{[10]
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- This method may work for other types of metal, as well, but it is particularly useful for removing rust from stainless steel.
- If you’re attempting to remove rust from a stainless steel knife, try simply running the knife through an onion.
- Ragnolo says vinegar is also effective on stainless steel, “especially if you have a small object or something you can submerge in white vinegar. After a couple of minutes, remove [the stainless steel] from the vinegar and brush off the rust with an old toothbrush.”^{[11]
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  Expert Source
  
  Dario Ragnolo
  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 13 August 2019.}
9
Soak rusty tools in diesel. Pour a liter of diesel (actual diesel, not the fuel additive) into a can large enough to hold your rusty tools. Place the tools (like stuck pliers, screwed items, etc.) into the can of diesel and let them soak for a day. Then, remove the tools and scrub them with a brush or steel wool to remove the rust.^{[12]
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- When you’re done, put the lid back on the diesel and use it again for future rusty tools.
Coca-Cola (and other colas) contains a small amount of phosphoric acid, which can dissolve rust. Because the amount of acid is so small, however, it takes longer to remove rust than other methods. Soak your rusted metal in some cola for up to 24 hours, then scrub away the remaining rust. Be sure to clean and rinse the metal well, afterward, as it will be sticky from the cola.^{[13]
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Use abrasive tools to scrape the rust off. This method requires a lot more elbow grease, but in some cases, 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, for example, is easy to use and is something you may already have in your home.^{[14]
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- 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.
- Car expert Evan Ernst says that steel wool is great for removing light rust from chrome: “A really fine mesh steel wool can polish chrome, and, in the same way, it also can remove really light surface rust. If there's a lot of rust, [though], that's not going to be a good option.”^{[15]
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  Expert Source
  
  Evan Ernst
  Classic Automotive Enthusiast
  
  Expert Interview. 9 January 2024.}

Section 2 of 6:

Removing Rust with Commercial Products

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1
Use a chemical remover. Chemical rust removers often contain hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, and sulfuric acid, which help dissolve rust. Follow the directions for your rust-removal product, as application may vary. In general, though, these products can be applied by brush or as a bath. Once the product has set for the required amount of time, scrub it away, then rinse and dry the metal’s surface.^{[16]
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- Warning: Because of the acids they contain, these products can be harmful to skin. Wear protective gear, like gloves, and always take precautions when using a chemical to dissolve rust.
- Don’t use aggressive chemicals on delicate appliances or surfaces.
- Some popular chemical rust removers include the Engineer Rust Remover ZC-28 and Rust-Oleum Rust Dissolver Gel.
- If you’re specifically looking to remove rust from your bathtub, cleaning specialist Eduardo Peralta says, “First apply an acidic toilet bowl cleaner that cleans lime & rust, hard water, and calcium for 5-15 minutes, making sure it covers all [rusty] areas. Scrub and rinse with soap. If rust persists, a magic eraser might also clean it off.”^{[17]
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  Expert Source
  
  Eduardo Peralta
  House Cleaning Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 29 October 2021.}
EXPERT TIP

Dario Ragnolo
House Cleaning Professional
Dario Ragnolo is the Owner and Founder of Tidy Town Cleaning, a home cleaning service in Los Angeles, California. His business specializes in residential & commercial cleaning. He is a second generation home cleaning expert, who grew up around his parents cleaning business in Italy.

Dario Ragnolo
House Cleaning Professional

Use CLR to remove stubborn rust from stainless steel. Apply CLR to stainless steel or other surfaces and appliances that are not delicate, as it is an aggressive product. Sometimes, however, rust is too deep inside the steel that it is not possible to remove.
2
Use a rust converter if you intend on painting the metal. Rust converters work to stop rust from eating away any more of the metal. These products are similar to spray paint and act as a primer for a coat of paint. Rust converters do not remove existing rust, however, and instead just prevent the rust from expanding.^{[18]
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- This is usually only a good option if you plan on painting over the metal. It will also leave a rough texture under the paint, as you’re essentially just adding a covering to the rust.
3
Use powder cleansers to gently remove rust. Powder cleansers are gentle enough not to damage surfaces while still being tough enough to remove significant patches of rust. Follow your cleanser’s instructions to apply it correctly, but in general, sprinkle some on a wet, rusted surface so the oxalic acid can break up the stain.^{[19]
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- A popular powder cleanser is Bar Keepers Friend.
- Choose a cleanser with a spray setting for spots of rust or a foam setting to cover a larger area.
WD-40 is a gentle but strong method for removing rust. The brand makes a specialized product called WD-40 Rust Remover Soak that quickly dissolves rust and restores metal surfaces without scraping or scrubbing. Apply the product directly to the rust and let it sit for a couple hours to overnight depending on how stubborn the rust is.^{[20]
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Section 3 of 6:

How to Prevent Rust

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One of the best and easiest ways to avoid rust is to keep your metal tools and surfaces away from water. Metal is more likely to rust if water has time to soak into its surface or if it frequently comes in contact with water over time. Store your metal in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture buildup, and if a metal surface does get wet, dry it thoroughly afterwards.^{[21]
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Clean metal regularly after each use. Remember to clean your metal tools and surfaces after you use them. The best way to clean metal varies from surface to surface, but in general, using water and a mild dish soap works well. This helps keep your metal in good shape, as neglected metal is more likely to develop rust. Just remember to dry the items thoroughly after you wash them.^{[22]
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- If you don’t use your metal object often, clean it every month or so to make sure it isn’t developing rust. It may be necessary to clean objects more often if they’re exposed to the elements; just keep an eye on them and clean them if you notice visible dirt or dust.
3
Add a protective coating to the metal. Applying a protective coating is a great way to prevent rust from forming on metal surfaces. The type of coating you need depends on the object. For example, apply a bit of mineral oil to a pocket knife, or treat tools and lawn equipment with paste wax or WD-40. Whatever product you use, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to apply it correctly.^{[23]
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- Paint also serves as a protective coating. If you plan on painting your metal, first apply a paint primer to keep moisture away from the surface. Then, apply a high quality paint for the best results.
- Adding a protective coating also helps prevent cracks and scratches, which allow moisture to seep deeper inside the metal.

Section 4 of 6:

What causes rust?

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Oxidation is a process in which iron-containing metal reacts with oxygen and water. The oxidation process eats away at the metal and causes visible rust on the metal’s surface. Rust typically occurs when a metal surface gets wet and is not cleaned and dried properly.^{[24]
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Section 5 of 6:

Removing Rust from Other Surfaces

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1
Remove rust stains from clothing with lemon juice. If you get rust on your clothes, remove the residue by applying a bit of lemon juice to the affected area.^{[25]
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Research source} Do not allow the juice to dry. Then, rinse the juice and rust away with water, then wash the garment as you normally would.
- For heavier fabrics or particularly large rust stains, apply a bit of salt to the area in addition to the lemon juice.
2
Make a glycerin paste to remove rust from brick or concrete. Mix together 7 parts lime-free glycerin, 1 part sodium citrate, 6 parts lukewarm water, and enough powdered calcium carbonate (chalk) to create a thick paste. Spread the paste over the rust-stained area and leave it to harden. When it does, use a metal tool to scrape it off.^{[26]
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- If the stain has not been fully removed, repeat the process.
3
Use Borax and lemon juice to clean porcelain and ceramics. Create a paste by mixing Borax and lemon juice together, then spread it over the rusted area. Scrub the mixture and the rust off with a pumice stone, then reapply as necessary until all the rust is gone. Dry the ceramic or porcelain afterwards to prevent new rust from forming.^{[27]
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- Don’t use this method on ceramic cookware, as it will likely scrape and damage the material.

Section 6 of 6:

Removing Rust FAQs

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In most cases, the easiest and quickest way to remove rust from metal is to use a store-bought chemical rust remover. These are specifically designed to remove rust; just be sure to apply them according to their instructions, as some may only work for certain types of metal.^{[28]
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In general, vinegar, baking soda, or a mixture of the two are the best homemade rust removers. Vinegar breaks down the rust particles, while baking soda acts as an abrasive to scrub the rust away.^{[29]
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Because different metals have different chemical makeups, some of them rust while others do not. Some examples of metals that do not rust include brass, aluminum, bronze, copper, titanium, gold, silver, and platinum. However, these metals may still corrode, tarnish, or become discolored.^{[30]
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What’s the difference between tarnish and rust? Tarnish and rust are both types of discoloration that affect metals, but they usually affect different types of metals. Rust is an iron oxide, meaning it usually affects metals that contain iron, and is usually reddish in color. Tarnish can be found on many types of metals (including silver and copper) and is often black, gray, or even green in color.^{[31]
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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

Expert Answer

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.

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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

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.

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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.

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In cases of very light rust, try applying some ketchup to the stain. Let it sit for a while before wiping it away.^{[32]
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Use vinegar or dish soap to clean rust from jewelry, like necklaces, rings, etc.

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If your metal item is an antique or is otherwise valuable, talk to an expert before attempting to remove the rust yourself.

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When using the baking soda method, don't let it soak overnight. This may tarnish your metal or turn it brown.
Soak your rusted metal items in Coca-Cola to scrub the rust off easily!

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