If you see a pretty orange-red color on your garden tools or your car, rust has developed. It is formed when iron oxidizes on contact with air and water. All metals that contain iron are therefore subject to rust and can therefore become brittle, because rust makes them brittle. Fortunately, there are effective solutions to remove it, but also to prevent its reappearance. Between the ready-to-use rust removers found in DIY stores or natural products such as white vinegar, lemon or even baking soda, you still need a little elbow grease to remove rust. So, if you are wondering how to remove rust from iron or metal, but also from tiles or fabric, follow our advice.
Before removing rust
Before you start using any rust removal product or tool, it is important to put on protective gloves and goggles.
In terms of tools, remember to have a container near you, a scouring sponge or a metal brush, a cloth to dry the support afterwards.
And if the rust area is really significant, you may need to consider using an electric sander.
If you want to use products, whether natural or ready-made (like rust removers), if you can, try working outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, as the smell of some products can be tenacious.
Most of the solutions proposed are corrosive and can therefore damage parts which are not made of metal.
Before removing rust from the iron, protect parts that may be wood, plastic, or covered with leather or fabric.
Finally, before applying a rust remover, first brush the affected object using a wire brush or steel wool.
This removes most of the rust and makes it easier to apply your natural or chemical rust remover.
Use natural or anti-rust products
There are several solutions to remove rust: either you use natural products, such as vinegar, lemon, etc., or you opt for the ready-to-use products that you will find in most DIY stores.
Natural products
Easy to use, these are generally common products that you necessarily have at home:
Baking soda:
mix baking soda and water until a thick paste forms.
Apply it to the metal object and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
Then scrub with a stiff bristle brush and rinse with clean water.
Remember to dry well.
Baking soda and white vinegar:
mix a tablespoon of baking soda and a little white vinegar.
The mixture starts to foam.
Apply it immediately to the rusty part and leave to act for 15 minutes.
You can then rinse and dry.
Warning: it is important to ventilate the room well or work outdoors.
Salt and lemon:
put a little fine salt on the rust spots and add a few drops of lemon.
Leave on for 3 hours then scrub with a stiff brush.
Rinse and pat dry.
Citric acid:
more aggressive than lemon, it should not be used on sensitive metals (aluminum).
Protect your hands and ventilate the room.
Mix 2 tablespoons of citric acid in half a liter of hot water.
Apply on the rusty part then rub vigorously.
Rinse with clean water and pat dry.
Onion or potato:
These foods are quite simply natural anticorrosives.
Cut an onion or potato in half and rub over the rusty surface, then rinse and dry.
Ready-to-use products
There are several that you will find in DIY stores, such as Frameto or Décap rust.
For use, read the instructions carefully before use and remember to protect your hands and eyes.
There is one product that you certainly have around the house that can clean up rust, and that is oven cleaner.
You can spray rust stains with product and leave to act for a few minutes.
Rinse and dry afterwards.
Tips for removing rust depending on the coating
If rust grows more on metal objects, you can also find it on your tiles or fabric.
To remove rust from iron or metal, off-the-shelf solutions or natural products, such as vinegar, baking soda or lemon, are quite effective.
How to remove rust from tiles?
it's easy.
Put lemon juice on the rust stain then cover with coarse salt.
Leave on for a few minutes for a small stain and up to 1 hour if it is a stubborn stain.
Then rub with an abrasive sponge, without scratching the surface.
However, if your tiles are porous (terracotta, cement tiles), avoid lemon, which is too acidic.
Prefer hot water and Marseille soap or even black soap, then rub vigorously with a brush.
And if you are wondering how to remove rust from fabric, you can also use salt and lemon.
Apply to the stain and let sit for about 30 minutes.
Then add a little washing powder and a few drops of water.
Leave to act again for 10 minutes.
You can then rinse the fabric with clean water.
