Things You'll Need
Fine steel wool pad
Mild dishwashing liquid
Kitchen towel
Vegetable oil or cooking oil
Paper towel
Aluminum foil
Wire brush or sandpaper
Rust-proof primer
Touch-up paint
Paint brush
Automotive wax
Cast iron is a heavy metal used for cookware, furniture, tools and more. If you notice reddish-brown flakes on the cast iron, it means that it has rusted. Getting rid of rust on cast iron can be more time-consuming than removing it from other metals. This is because cookware is the most common cast-iron object a person needs to clean, and that needs to be seasoned in an oven after cleaning.
Cast Iron Cookware
Step 1
Scrub off the rust with a fine steel wool pad. The fine steel wool prevents scratches on the cast iron.
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Step 2
Wash the cast iron in a sink. Use mild dishwashing liquid and warm water. Rinse off the soap and dry the cast iron with a kitchen towel.
Step 3
Apply vegetable oil or cooking oil to cookware with a paper towel. Coat the cast iron inside and out.
Step 4
Place a sheet of aluminum foil on the oven's lower rack. Turn the oven on to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 5
Place the cookware upside down on the top rack of the oven. Let the cookware season for at least one hour. The seasoning adds a protective rust-proof coat to the cast iron.
Step 6
Turn off the oven and let the cookware cool. Store it in a cool, dry area.
Cast Iron Furniture
Step 1
Wash dirt, grime and rust flakes off the furniture with a garden hose.
Step 2
Scrape off the rust with a wire brush or sandpaper. Scrub down to the underlying metal.
Step 3
Apply a rust-proof primer to the cast-iron furniture with a paintbrush. The coating lasts for several months.
Step 4
Repaint the areas of the cast iron with touch-up paint in the same color as the furniture. Allow paint to dry completely.
Step 5
Apply automotive wax to the cast-iron furniture to protect it from moisture.
Cast Iron Stove
Step 1
Scrub off the rust with a steel wool pad or scrubbing pad.
Step 2
Put on rubber gloves before pouring rust remover onto a steel wool pad. Apply the rust remover.
Step 3
Leave the rust remover on the stove for about 10 to 15 minutes. Rust removers dissolve rust.
Step 4
Use a damp cloth to wipe away the rust remover. Dry stove with paper towels.