Remove Rust From Iron

Rust is one of the negative phenomena that affects iron, for it deforms it and changes its color. Rust is formed as a result of an interaction between the iron and oxygen elements. The reason behind this interaction is the formation of moisture on the iron. Here are methods to get rid of the rust problem:  

Use distilled white vinegar solution

You can eliminate rust by using distilled white vinegar and salt. Salt increases the effectiveness of the acid present in the vinegar, and this can be applied by following the following steps:

Fill a large container made of non-reactive material like plastic or glass, with about 3.8 litres of distilled white vinegar. Go ahead and add a cup of table salt and stir the mixture until it is homogeneous. Then put the rusty piece in the prepared vinegar and salt solution, making sure that it is completely submerged. Leave it in the solution for a period ranging from half a day to a few days; depending on the degree of rust on it. Periodically after twelve hours, wear a pair of rubber gloves (to protect hands from rust) then scrub the rust with an abrasive; like wire, aluminium foil, or something else.

Then fill a bowl with approximately 3.8 litres of water with a cup of baking soda, stir the mixture until it is mixed. Soak the rust-free piece in the solution for about ten minutes (to neutralize the acid in the vinegar). Rub the piece with an abrasive tool if necessary (to get rid of any traces of rust), then rub the metal with a cotton cloth soaked in ethyl alcohol (to get rid of excess moisture). Next rub with a light machine oil (to prevent it from rusting again).

Potato and sodium bicarbonate

Sodium bicarbonate can be used with potatoes in order to remove rust from iron in these steps:

Cut the potato in half, then sprinkle sodium bicarbonate on the potatoes. Rub the potato on the area that is full of rust. The acid in the potato and the sodium bicarbonate salt will help remove the rust, and clean the iron well. Wipe the iron pieces from this mixture then wash with water and dry them well.

Lemon and salt

The mixture of lemon and salt is an effective way to remove rust from minerals, especially iron. This method can be used by following these steps:

Rub all parts of the area with salt, then squeeze the lemon on the salt and leave on for about two to three hours. Clean the lemon and salt from the iron with a scrub, or with steel wool.

Note: It is preferable to scrub the rust over iron with the lemon peels. This is to avoid damaging it because lemon peels are effective in scraping rust after soaking it for a sufficient time. In addition to being very safe on minerals, lime can be used instead of lemon, for it gives the same effect with salt.

Baking soda

Baking soda is used to remove rust from iron and minerals, and that is by following the following steps

Start by mixing baking soda with water until a dough is formed to a degree suitable for painting it onto the metal. Then cover the iron rust with baking soda paste mixed with water, and leave it for some time for it to take effect. Clean the paste from the iron using a toothbrush, then wash the iron with water.

Baking soda and potatoes

Baking soda and potatoes can be used to remove rust from minerals like this:

Cut the potato in half, sprinkle the sliced ​​side with salt or baking soda, then rub the rusty piece on the cut side of the potato. The acid in the Potatoes removes the rust, while the baking soda helps clean it. Wash the piece and dry it before using it again. If your kitchen knives have rust on them, you can dip them in potatoes. Leave them inside for the whole day then pull them out and the rust will be removed.

Aluminium foil

Rust can be removed from iron or metal surfaces by the use of aluminium foil. Start by soaking aluminium foil in either water or vinegar for a period of time. Then remove it and rub the rust with this aluminium foil. By doing so electrons will be transferred between the two metals, therefore reversing the rust process.

Potatoes and soap

Potatoes and soap can remove rust from iron. This can be done by cutting a potato in half, then placing the cut side of potatoes in a dish containing dishwashing soap. Then take the potato and place it on the metal and leave it on it for a few hours. This will therefore cause a chemical reaction with the rust, making it easy remove.

If necessary, the process can be repeated, by cutting the used end of the potato, adding more soap, and then leaving the metal to soak for a longer period.

Removing rust from galvanized metals

The rust on galvanized metals is eliminated using paint, by following the following steps:

Rub the area exposed to rust with sandpaper, or a wire brush to obtain a perfectly smooth surface. Then cover the metal with an anti-rust primer using the brush, leaving it to dry before painting it again. Next coat the surface with a special paint for the metal, after the anti-rust primer has completely dried.

Removing rust stains from clothes

Vinegar and salt are used to remove iron rust stains from clothes, by following these steps:

Soak a cotton ball with vinegar, and use it to press the stain. Cover the stain with a thin layer of salt, and rub it with vinegar and a cloth. Spread the clothes under the sun until the stain is gone, then wash it as usual.

To remove rust stains from porcelain and clay pots

In order to do this, make a paste of lemon juice and borax and spread it on the stain. Go ahead and rub it with a pumice stone, and if traces remain, keep repeating it. Make sure the surface of porcelain dries well. This is to prevent the emergence of rust again. Do not try this method on utensils made of porcelain because it will damage them.