How to Keep Steel Wool Pads From Rusting

While there are surely a few items in your kitchen that you should never clean with steel wool, it's about the toughest scrubber available for the dishes that can take it. Unfortunately, steel wool pads don't often last long because they get rusty and corroded. But if you know this helpful trick, you can keep your pads clean and rust-free until they're all used up.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Steel wool pads
• Glass jar
• Water
• Baking soda

1. When you're done using a steel wool pad for dishes or cleaning, rinse it well in clean, cold water. Squeeze out as much moisture as you can.

2. Fill a small- or medium-sized glass jar a little more than halfway with clean, cold water.

3. Sprinkle in a generous dose of baking soda. About 2 tbsp should do the trick, but there's no need to measure.

4. Close the lid tightly on the jar and shake it vigorously to mix the baking soda and water.

5. Remove the lid and put the steel wool pad inside. Make sure the steel wool is completely submerged in the solution.

6. Keep the jar near your sink so that the steel wool pad will be accessible when you need it. As long as it remains completely submerged in the solution during storage, the steel wool should never rust. Just rinse the pad thoroughly before using it. Then rinse it again and squeeze out the excess water before putting it back in the jar.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash the jar and create a fresh water and baking soda mixture about every two weeks.