How to Avoid Rusting in Metals

From earrings to belt buckles, much of today's fashion utilizes some kind of metal in its design. In order to make the most of your investment and prevent rusting of metals, only a small amount of extra care is needed. Take the following steps to keep the rust off of your metal items.

Things You'll Need

• Clear nail polish
• Wax

Instructions

1. Keep metals dry. Take clothing with metal on it out of the washing machine as soon as it is finished and dry it as soon as possible. Water sitting on metal is rust waiting to happen. Make sure all jewelry items are dry before you put them away. Keep your good metal items in an area with low humidity and keep them out of the basement where moisture usually runs high.

2. Put a coat or two of clear nail polish on metal items. You don't have to worry about gold or silver rusting, but other metals will stay rust free if you keep them coated with a clear polish or some kind of lacquer. Be careful not to get the polish on other parts of the item.

3. A light coating of wax can also help keep metal items from rusting. Any kind of wax will work but be sure not to get it on other parts of the item.

4. Keep different kinds of metals away from each other. Some metals cause chemical reactions that result in rust when they are touching each other. Keep metal items separated with other clothing, or in separate compartments of a drawer.