- 1). Scrub the rust off with light steel wool or a hard-bristled scrub brush. If you catch the rust early enough, you may be able to rub it off with this method. Even if you do not get the rust off entirely, you will at least remove the surface rust.
- 2). Remove more stubborn spots with acetic acid or vinegar. Inexpensive white vinegar works fine. You can soak small items directly in the vinegar placed in a small bowl.
- 3). Pour the vinegar over items such as knobs and hinges and rub larger areas with a cloth moistened with vinegar. Rinse anything you have put vinegar on with clear water to remove any traces of the vinegar so the acid in the vinegar does not corrode the metal.
- 4). Add just enough water to baking soda to make a paste by adding 2 tsp. of water to ¼ cup of baking soda at a time. Apply the paste to rusted items. Make sure the paste is thick enough to cover the rusted area. Allow it to sit on the area for 15 to 30 minutes. Scrub it off with a stiff brush, rinse well with clean water and dry.
- 5). Sprinkle the rusted area with kosher salt. Pour lemon juice over it, but wipe with a dry cloth and rinse thoroughly with clear water. Do not allow the lemon juice to sit on the surface for too long.
- 6). Place small items in a small bowl of liquid containing phosphoric acid, also known as cola soda. You can rub this on hinges, nuts and bolts, bike chains, battery terminals and jewelry too big to soak. Rinse with clear water and dry.
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