Seeing rust on metal tools can be disheartening, especially if it’s on some of your favorite garden, kitchen, or handyperson tools.

Likewise, if you’re an antique tool lover, you’re probably wondering how to remove the rust safely.

Either way, take heart.

Although it looks like a dirty job, most rust can be removed from metal fairly easily using common pantry staples and a little patience (zero chemical rust removers required!).

Here, we share three ways to remove rust using vinegar and other tested, inexpensive, and low-tox methods.

The Case For Avoiding Chemical Rust Removers

Synthetic-chemical rust removers are effective, but they come at a cost.

These products contain highly acidic ingredients, like sodium hydrosulfite, plus petroleum-based solvents that put off toxic fumes and can easily burn your skin or eyes if not used as directed.[1]

If inhaled, they can cause severe injury and death.

They’re also highly flammable, which creates a fire risk, and are terrible for the environment.

The exception is some modern rust removal products, which rely on chemical chelation to remove rust without harsh acids or petroleum products.

These products are also eco-friendly and biodegradable, so look for those symbols on the label if you choose to buy a rust-removal product. Bar Keeper’s Friend is a safe, low-tox option.

Rust Removal Methods

The good news is you don’t need to risk your health or spend extra money to remove rust from your favorite tools or items.

There are several safe, natural, and eco-friendly rust removal methods you can try at home, including:

• Undiluted distilled white vinegar or cleaning vinegar
• Baking soda
• Cream of Tartar
• Lemon Juice
• And Salt

Please note that although these methods are gentler than using heavy-duty rust removers, different metals and tools may respond differently. Therefore, we recommend consulting your manufacturer’s manual if possible.

If that’s not available, try testing these methods on a small, inconspicuous area of the metal first to ensure compatibility.

Here’s how to use these common pantry staples alone or in combination to remove rust safely and effectively.

Vinegar For Rust Removal, 3 Ways

Plain old distilled white vinegar is one of nature’s most powerful cleaners, degreasers, and rust removers.

The natural acetic acid in undiluted vinegar works to break down rust so it can easily be rubbed off after soaking.

A good soak in undiluted vinegar is often all that’s needed to restore rusty tools to their former glory.

However, for stubborn rust, the addition of salt to the vinegar enhances its natural acidity, making the solution even more effective.

Finally, a soak in a baking soda and water solution will loosen any residual rust.

Here’s how to use vinegar to remove rust, alone or with salt or baking soda

What you need:

• A bowl, basin, or tub large enough to submerge your tools
• Vinegar or cleaning vinegar
• A microfiber cloth or scrubbing pad

1. Straight Vinegar Method

1. Fill your bowl, basin, or tub with undiluted white vinegar or cleaning vinegar.
2. Submerge the rusty tool.
3. Let soak for 30 minutes.
4. Check progress. If you still see a lot of rust, increase soaking time up to 24 hours, but check periodically.
5. Remove and rub clean with a microfiber cloth or scrubbing pad.
6. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
7. Voila! If your results are not satisfactory, move to the next method.

2. Extra Strength Vinegar Plus Salt

1. Fill your bowl, basin, or tub with undiluted white vinegar or cleaning vinegar PLUS 1 cup of table salt.
2. Submerge the rusty tool.
3. Let soak for 15-30 minutes.
4. Remove and rub clean with a microfiber cloth or scrubbing pad.
5. Still got rust spots? Move on to the next method to remove those stubborn survivors.

3. Extra Extra Strength Vinegar + Salt + Baking Soda & Water

1. After soaking the tools in vinegar and/or vinegar plus salt, empty the vessel, and rinse.
2. Fill with water (enough to submerge) plus 1 cup of baking soda per gallon of water.
3. Submerge the tool for 5-10 minutes.
4. The baking soda will foam up behind any vinegar trapped behind the rust, allowing it to loosen.
5. Scrub clean with a microfiber cloth or scrubbing pad.
6. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

Unsure which type of vinegar to use?

Check out Cleaning Vinegar Vs. White Vinegar, and Apple Cider Vinegar Vs. White Vinegar for more information.

Baking Soda + Lemon Juice For Rust

A simple paste of baking soda plus lemon juice will also make quick work of rust.

The natural citric acid in lemon (or lime) juice will eat away at rust and pairs perfectly with baking soda’s alkalinity, which creates a natural cleaning reaction.

Here’s how to use a baking soda lemon juice paste to clean rust: 

What you need:

• 1 part lemon juice (the amount depends on the size of the tool)
• 2 parts baking soda

How to use baking soda + lemon juice on rust:

1. Create a paste by adding the lemon juice and baking soda together. It should be thick enough to smear on the tool and stay put, so adjust quantities as needed.
2. Apply a thick layer of the paste to the tool using gloved hands or a sponge.
3. Let sit for 30 minutes.
4. Scrub clean.
5. If any rust remains, repeat the procedure until it comes clean.
6. Rise and dry thoroughly.

Discover more ways to use baking soda for natural cleaning in: Cleaning With Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate): 12 Surprising Uses

Lemon And Salt For Rust Removal

No baking soda on hand? Salt plus lemon juice can work just as well to remove rust stains from tools.

What you need:

• Lemon juice (fresh works best)
• Salt

How to use lemon and salt on rust:

1. Pour salt directly on the rusty tool.
2. Squeeze a good amount of lemon juice on top.
3. Let sit for 2-3 hours.
4. Wipe clean with either the reserved cut lemon, a microfiber cloth, or scouring pad.
5. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
6. Repeat if necessary

Discover more about the power of lemon for cleaning in: Why We Recommend These Substitutes For Vinegar In Cleaning

Cream of Tartar + Water For Gentle Rust Removal

Cream of tartar, also known as potassium bitartrate, is a byproduct of winemaking.

It’s also an ingredient in baking powder, helps egg whites stiffen up when whipped, is the magic ingredient in homemade play dough, and can work wonders on rust.

This method works great for more delicate metals.

Here's how to clean rust using cream of tarter

What you’ll need:

• At least ¼ cup cream of tartar (found in the baking aisle of grocery stores)
• Water

How to use cream of tartar on rust

1. Combine about 1/4 cup of cream of tartar with 1 cup water to make a paste thick enough to stick to the rust (adjust quantities as needed for the size of the tool/rusted area).
2. Apply the paste to the rust and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
3. Scrub clean with a scouring pad.
4. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

How Long Does It Take to Remove Rust?

Depending on the severity of the rust, removing it can take minutes or even a full 24 hours.

Rust removal may also require some elbow grease, so to speak, in the form of scrubbing or scouring with a scouring pad or even a steel or copper pad in some cases.

When scouring, we always recommend starting with the gentlest option, then moving up in grit, testing a small area first to avoid excessive scratching.

The good news is that these natural solutions are quite gentle and unlikely to damage the metal if left for several hours.

However, we do recommend monitoring the tool during the soaking process, especially for more delicate metals.

How Can I Prevent Rust?

The best way to prevent rust is to keep your metal tools and items clean and dry, as water forms rust over time.

For garden tools, this means hosing them down, wiping them clean, and drying them thoroughly after each use. If the weather’s nice, the sun does a great job of drying.

If you find your hand tools are rusting often, consider the humidity of the shop or space they are stored as this can cause rusting.

For kitchen tools, be sure to dry thoroughly after use and avoid running them through the dishwasher, which will keep them wet for longer.

For stove grates, see: How To Clean Stovetops Naturally + 5 Tips

Porcelain sinks also benefit from a quick towel-down after dishwashing to prevent rusting.

Human Safe Cleaning With Branch Basics

Branch Basics may not be a rust removal product, but our all-in-one human-safe, biodegradable, plant- and mineral based cleaning system will take care of every other cleaning chore in your home.

From floors to bathrooms, kitchens, cars, pets, produce, laundry, stains, windows, jewelry cleaning, and more, Branch Basics Concentrate can do it all with zero harmful ingredients.

How does it work?

Our all-in-one Concentrate combines with water to create custom cleaning solutions that will replace every cleaner and laundry product in the home.

Just fill the refillable Branch Basics glass or plastic bottles (or use your own) with the recommended amount of Concentrate plus water and start cleaning. It’s as easy as that!

Learn more about how our cleaning system works in How To Get Started With Your Branch Basics Kit.

Ready to start cleaning smarter, safer, and more economically?

Click here to shop Branch Basics Starter Kits

References Mentioned In This Article:

1: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Sodium-dithionite#section=Hazards-Summary