Does White Vinegar Remove Rust?

Rust is a form of corrosion caused by a process called oxidation with iron, water and oxygen.

Rust is a form of corrosion that occurs when metals are oxidized. Oxidation occurs when oxygen comes into direct contact with metal parts for extended periods of time. Even though rust looks intimidating to tackle, the simplest household item has the power to remove rust: vinegar.

Vinegar

Although vinegar is a cooking agent, it is also a powerful cleaner. Vinegar contains acetic acid and has a pH of as low as 3.5, according to brainz.org. Vinegar's acidity makes it a powerful cleaning tool and rust remover.

Remove Rust With Vinegar

It is best to let rusted materials soak in household vinegar for at least 24 hours. Since vinegar has the ability to permeate certain materials, use a container made of glass or sturdy plastic to soak the parts in. Fill the container with enough vinegar so that the parts are completely submerged. Do not dilute the vinegar.

Additives

Although vinegar is powerful enough alone to remove rust, severely corroded materials may need more assistance for complete rust remediation. Baking soda, another household item, can be added to vinegar for more corrosion-cleaning power. Combine 2 tbsp. baking soda and 2 tbsp. vinegar to make a paste, according to natural-healthy-home-cleaning-tips.com. This paste is abrasive and can be used to scrub away loose rust before soaking materials in vinegar.

References

• Brainz: What Is Vinegar
• Corrosionist: What Is Rust
• Antiqueautoranch: Rust Removal
• Natural-healthy-home-cleaning-tips: Vinegar And Baking Soda Cleaning Recipe