How to Clean Rust Off Stainless Steel

Make a baking soda paste., Coat the rust with vinegar., Clean the rust with lemon juice., Create a paste from the cream of tartar., Use lighter fluid to clean the rust.

5 Steps 2 min read Medium

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Make a baking soda paste.

    Mix one tablespoon baking soda and two cups (473 milliliters) water.

    Rub the paste on the rust spot in the direction of the grain with a clean cloth.

    Rinse and wipe the rusty area with a damp paper towel., If possible, submerge the entire rusty stainless steel object in a tall cup of vinegar.

    This works best with, for instance, cutlery or jewelry.

    If you can’t submerge the stainless steel object, or the rusty portion of it, fill a spray bottle with vinegar and spray an even coat of vinegar onto the rusty stainless steel object you’re interested in cleaning.Wait five minutes after applying the vinegar.

    Wipe the rust with a damp sponge.

    Distilled white vinegar is best for this, but any type of vinegar will do.

    Alternately, you could pour or spray a bit of vinegar onto a soft scrubbing pad and use it to gently wipe away the rust., Mix equal amounts of lemon juice and baking soda to form a paste.

    For instance, you might choose to combine one tablespoon of lemon juice and one tablespoon of baking soda.

    Coat the rust with the paste, then use a damp sponge to scrub the rust away.If the rust remains after one application, let the paste sit on the rust for 15-30 minutes, then scrub it away with a damp sponge.

    Lime juice is a viable substitute for lemon juice in this solution. , Combine one tablespoon of cream of tartar with a few drops of lemon juice.

    Cover the rusty spots on your stainless steel object with the paste.

    Using a soft sponge, rub the paste firmly over the rust.

    Wipe away with a damp sponge.

    Dry with a dish cloth., Squirt a bit of lighter fluid onto a clean dish cloth.

    Scrub the rust spot using the cloth.

    Because lighter fluid is flammable, this option should be used only as a last resort.

    Thoroughly wipe the lighter fluid away with a damp sponge after cleaning the rust.Do not clean rust off stainless steel with lighter fluid if you are near an open flame.
  2. Step 2: Coat the rust with vinegar.

  3. Step 3: Clean the rust with lemon juice.

  4. Step 4: Create a paste from the cream of tartar.

  5. Step 5: Use lighter fluid to clean the rust.

Detailed Guide

Mix one tablespoon baking soda and two cups (473 milliliters) water.

Rub the paste on the rust spot in the direction of the grain with a clean cloth.

Rinse and wipe the rusty area with a damp paper towel., If possible, submerge the entire rusty stainless steel object in a tall cup of vinegar.

This works best with, for instance, cutlery or jewelry.

If you can’t submerge the stainless steel object, or the rusty portion of it, fill a spray bottle with vinegar and spray an even coat of vinegar onto the rusty stainless steel object you’re interested in cleaning.Wait five minutes after applying the vinegar.

Wipe the rust with a damp sponge.

Distilled white vinegar is best for this, but any type of vinegar will do.

Alternately, you could pour or spray a bit of vinegar onto a soft scrubbing pad and use it to gently wipe away the rust., Mix equal amounts of lemon juice and baking soda to form a paste.

For instance, you might choose to combine one tablespoon of lemon juice and one tablespoon of baking soda.

Coat the rust with the paste, then use a damp sponge to scrub the rust away.If the rust remains after one application, let the paste sit on the rust for 15-30 minutes, then scrub it away with a damp sponge.

Lime juice is a viable substitute for lemon juice in this solution. , Combine one tablespoon of cream of tartar with a few drops of lemon juice.

Cover the rusty spots on your stainless steel object with the paste.

Using a soft sponge, rub the paste firmly over the rust.

Wipe away with a damp sponge.

Dry with a dish cloth., Squirt a bit of lighter fluid onto a clean dish cloth.

Scrub the rust spot using the cloth.

Because lighter fluid is flammable, this option should be used only as a last resort.

Thoroughly wipe the lighter fluid away with a damp sponge after cleaning the rust.Do not clean rust off stainless steel with lighter fluid if you are near an open flame.

About the Author

J

Judy Roberts

A passionate writer with expertise in home improvement topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.

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