Teaching you how to remove metal rust

The metal objects in your home such as knives, locks, and keys are rusted. What should I do? Discard or buy a new substitute? NO! Today I will teach you how to remove rust at home, which is simple, convenient and cost-effective.

Method 1: Use home materials to remove rust

1. Use white vinegar. Vinegar can react chemically with rust on metals and decompose it. You can soak the metal in white vinegar for several hours and then wipe off the rust layer. If the item is too big to be directly immersed in the white vinegar, you can pour a layer of white vinegar on it and wait for it to solidify. You can also dip a rag in vinegar and wipe the metal. You can try dipping aluminum foil in vinegar and scrubbing the rust as a brush. Compared with steel wool, aluminum foil is less worn, but it still has the ability to remove rust. You can use regular vinegar and let the rusty metal soak in the vinegar for up to 24 hours before cleaning. This method does not require much scrubbing.

2. Try using lime and salt. Sprinkle the salt over the rusty area, cover it thoroughly, and pour the lime juice on it. Try to use all the lime juice you can get and let it sit for 2 to 3 hours before washing the mixture. Use the lime rind to wipe the mixture off. The lime peel should be sufficient to remove the rust layer without further damage to the metal. You can also use lemon instead of lime.

3. Make a paste with baking soda. Mix the baking soda and water together until the mixture is thick enough to apply to the metal. Give it some time to set before washing it clean. You can try brushing off the baking soda with a toothbrush and rinsing it with water. You can add water to dilute the baking soda according to your preference. This method does not have a fixed mixing ratio.

4. Use potatoes and dishwashing agent. Cut the potatoes in half and cover the cut with dishwashing agent. This will react chemically with the rust layer, making the rust layer easier to remove. Place the potatoes on the metal and let them sit for several hours. To reuse, you can cut the used end back and apply more dishwashing agent to penetrate the metal for a longer time. If you don't have dishwashing agent, cover the potato cut with baking soda and water.

Method 2: Use store-bought supplies to remove rust

1. Use chemical rust remover. There are many different chemicals that can break down rust. They are usually made of phosphoric acid or oxalic acid, which can harm the skin if directly in contact. Please take protective measures when using chemical agents to decompose rust. Each product is used differently and the instructions on the rust removal product must be followed. These chemicals usually need to stand for a while and then need to be scrubbed, so be prepared for additional work. These products are relatively expensive and can only be used for small-scale rust removal work, and are not suitable for larger rust items.

2. Convert rust layer. Buy rust converters, which can prevent the area of ​​rust on the metal from expanding. Rust converter is similar to spray paint and can also serve as a primer protective layer. While it can prevent the rust from expanding, it may not be effective in completely removing the rust from the metal. This method works only if you plan to paint on metal. It also leaves a rough texture under the paint coating, because you are just covering a layer of paint over the rust.

3. Use a sand grinding tool to scrape off the rust layer. This method is very laborious, but it allows you to effectively remove rust by just scratching. You can use garage tools such as screwdrivers, or rent tools from hardware stores. Steel wool is also easy to use, and you may already have one at home without purchasing it. You can use an electric sander to remove rust from large metals. Starting from the coarsest grinding particles, slowly transitioning to the finer particles to minimize the roughness of the metal. You can use any metal tool to scrape off the rust layer, but remember to use fine sandpaper to smooth out the traces that may be left during the scratching process.

Method 3: Remove rust spots

1. Remove rust spots on clothes. If your clothes are exposed to rust, you can use lemon juice and water to remove rust spots left on the clothes. Apply lemon juice to the affected part of the clothing, but never let it air dry. Wash the lemon juice and rust spots with clean water. Clean the laundry as usual after using lemon juice to remove rust. As for heavy fabrics with severe rust spots, in addition to lemon juice, you can also apply salt to the rust layer.

2. Remove rust spots from bricks or concrete. Mix 7 parts of lime-free glycerin, 1 part of sodium citrate (available in the pharmacy), 6 parts of light warm water and sufficient calcium carbonate powder (chalk) to form a thick paste. Spread the thick paste onto the rust spots and let it harden. Scrape it off with metal tools after hardening. If you cannot completely remove the rust, you can use the same method and apply the thick paste again.

3. Remove rust spots from porcelain and ceramics. Mix borax and lemon juice into a paste and apply it to the rust spots. Then scrape it clean with pumice stone, and repeat if necessary. This method is not suitable for ceramic kitchenware, as it can scratch the kitchenware. After that, the ceramic or porcelain needs to be dried to prevent rust again.

4. Remove rust spots from stainless steel. Rub hard all over the stainless steel with very fine caramel paper (like a soft nail file). Then rub the stainless steel with a slice of onion and then wash it with hot water.