Don’t pull out the chemical arsenal to clean a patch of rust. Vinegar, the simple household standby contains acetic acid that, combined with its low pH, battles the chemicals that gang up and oxidize to make rust. For deep rust stains, wiping and soaking in vinegar may not be enough – it may take a scrub with a wire or stiff bristle brush as well.
Fill a bucket or bowl with undiluted white vinegar deep enough to cover the rusted item. Drop the rusted item in the vinegar.
2
Soak for several hours or overnight, depending on the amount of rust, to allow the acid in the vinegar to break up the rust. Agitate the item periodically. Soak larger, heavily rusted tools such a shovels, in a vinegar bath for several days.
3
Brush heavily rusted items with a stiff bristle brush or wire brush to loosen the rust and resume soaking. If the vinegar becomes cloudy or a black sludge develops, change the vinegar.
4
Rinse the item with clear water and brush off any remaining rust or coating. Dry thoroughly and treat with oil to prevent rust.
Tips & Warnings
This technique would most likely be more effective with smaller items that are not heavily rusted.
