Rust forms when iron and oxygen are in the presence of water or moisture in the air. Rust not only looks horrible, but, given enough time, can completely ruin anything you belong that contains iron. Read about how to remove rust and rust stains.
Silverware
Make a paste using baking soda and water. Using your fingers or a clean rag, rub the paste on the rusty area. Do this until the area is rust-free; it shouldn’t take long. Rinse the silverware and dry completely before replacing them in storage (remember, moisture helped get your silverware rusty in the first place!).
Chrome
Aluminum foil is great for removing rust from chrome. The foil has a chemical reaction with the chrome which makes rust easier to remove. To start, wipe down the chrome surface with a rag to get rid of loose dirt. Crumple up a piece of aluminum foil into a ball and dip it in water. Rub the chrome with the foil. This will remove the rust as well as smooth the metal and help to fill in pitted areas. When you’ve finished, wipe down the chrome a final time with a clean rag.
Knives
Some knives will develop rust spots after repeated cleanings in the dishwasher. To remove these spots, grab a bowl big enough to fully fit the knife and place it inside. A tall glass can be used as well. Fill the container with lemon juice and let the knife soak for several minutes to an hour, depending on the degree of damage. You can also try salting the knife and then applying the lemon juice. To prevent rust spots from reappearing, hand wash these knives and dry them thoroughly before storing.
Other tips:
- You can also try sticking your knife into a potato, or putting a potato half with the end covered in dish soap on the rusty area. Potatoes contain oxalic acid, an ingredient in some commercial rust removers.
- Coat your knives with a thin film of oil before storing them to prevent rust. Oil and water don’t mix, so this is an easy way to keep moisture out.
Rust Stains
You can remove rust, but sometimes there’s more work to be done. On some surfaces, like fabric, rust will leave behind a rust stain. To tackle these, slice a lemon in half and sprinkle salt on the cross-section. Rub the stain with the salted lemon. Give the stain up to 24 hours to react to the lemon juice. Try to keep the item damp by reapplying lemon juice as needed. When finished, rinse with cold water.
Rust Stains and Carpet
Use a butter knife to scrape off as much rust as you can while being careful not to rip the carpet. Put dish soap on a sponge or rag and blot the rust stain. Let the stain soak up the soap for five minutes, then blot with a clean white towel. The rust should transfer onto the towel.
Remove Rust and Restore
Now that you know how to tackle rust and rust stains, your belongings will no longer sport ugly red stains. It’s easy enough to remove rust, but even easier is being rust-free in the first place. Keep moisture away from items containing iron and save yourself the trouble.