Life Hack: How to clean rust from metal and how to prevent it from developing

Top tips for identifying and dealing with surface-level rust, how to prevent it, and when to throw in the towel

Life Hack: How to clean rust from metal and how to prevent it from developing

What is rust?

Any items made from iron or iron alloys are prone to developing rust when exposed to moisture or oxygen. This exposure causes a chemical process called oxidation, where iron is converted to iron oxide, a red, flaky substance. It causes the item to expand and become brittle over time, which is why treating the rust early is important. Items like pipes, car parts, and metal furniture can be affected by rust.

How can I remove it?

Luckily there are a few household items that can nip rust in the bud. Toothpaste can remove rust stains and surface rust on items like silverware. Apply the toothpaste to the affected area and let it sit for 10 minutes before washing it away.

Another option is to use a trusty vinegar and bicarbonate of soda/baking soda combination to treat rust. White vinegar reacts with rust and can remove it. Soak the rusted item for at least 12 hours in white vinegar, leaving it for up to a few days for more stubborn stains. Make a 50/50 mixture of water and bicarbonate of soda and pour this over the object to neutralise any remaining vinegar. Rinse it in warm water and dry completely.

A similar method is to soak the rusted item in a carbonated drink like Coca-Cola or Pepsi. This can break up rust on a range of metals and the phosphoric acid and citric acid they contain helps to remove stains. Soak the item in your fizzy drink of choice for 24 hours before rinsing with water and drying.

For stubborn rust, WD-40 can loosen rust from metal. Spray it on the surface and leave it for 10 minutes. Scrub with a stiff brush or steel wool to remove the rust.

How can I prevent it?

As moisture exposure is a major cause of rust, storing metallic items in a clean and dry place can make a big impact. Cracks and scratches on metal surfaces can expose the material to water and other elements too, so handle them carefully or a protective coating on items like tools and car parts. Regularly maintain the metal items at risk of rust, paying extra attention in areas like your bathroom and kitchen which are always exposed to water.

When should I just replace the item?

As mentioned above, sometimes long term rust can cause the material it is sitting on to deteriorate. You can generally save the item with the previous methods if it is only surface-level rust. However, rust degradation could cause parts of your item to fall off, and in this case it is time to replace it.

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