How to Remove Rust from Steel Cookware

Steel cookware is a beautiful asset to any kitchen. With its ability to heat evenly and its completely flat bottom, this cookware works well on ceramic, induction, gas or electric stove tops. Steel cookware is easy to care for and cleaning is usually a breeze. Care must be taken to prevent wet cookware from coming into contact with other metals for long periods of time. If this does happen, then your cleaning might involve rust removal. Luckily, there is a quick and easy way to get your cookware back to its original beauty.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Bar Keepers Friend cleanser, or a paste made from cream of tartar, hydrogen peroxide (3% solution), and baking soda
• Soft cloth
• Dishwashing liquid
• Dish towel

Instructions

1. Wet the rusted area of the cookware with water.

2. Sprinkle the Bar Keepers Friend cleanser on the rusted area.

3. Rub the cleanser with your finger to form a paste. Leave the paste on the rusted area for about 10 minutes.

4. Rub the paste in a linear motion with the soft cloth, going with the grain, until the rust is removed.

5. Wash the pan with dishwashing liquid, then dry.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have access to Bar Keepers Friend cleanser, you can make your own rust remover. Mix one teaspoon of cream of tartar with one cup of baking soda and enough 3% hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Then follow steps 3, 4, and 5.

• Be sure to use the household strength of hydrogen peroxide, which is 3% or 6%, and not the much stronger version used in laboratories.

References

• Rust remover recipe

Resources

• Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser