How to remove rust from stainless steel

Before having to remove rust from stainless steel, it is best to prevent its appearance through proper hygiene. By cleaning stainless steel, we will ensure that our objects and appliances are impeccable for longer, delaying their deterioration and oxidation. If you want to remove dust, grease or any type of dirt, do the following:

• Wipe with a microfiber cloth to get rid of surface dirt.
• Dampen a soft sponge (never a scouring pad or brush that could scratch the steel) and clean without scrubbing.
• Finally, dry very well again with the microfiber cloth, since humidity promotes oxidation.

For stubborn stains, you can add a few drops of soap to the water, but check that the product does not contain any element that could be abrasive. In this way, you will delay corrosion or breakage of the material, something essential to avoid rusty stainless steel.

If you want to know more about cleaning this material, check out our article on How to Clean Stained Stainless Steel.

Baking soda is an excellent ally if you are trying to remove a small rust stain on the steel, perhaps due to a blow received. In this case, Prepare an anti-rust paste following this technique:

1. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with one tablespoon of water.
2. Apply to the rusty area.
3. Leave it on for a couple of minutes.
4. Remove with a clean, damp cloth, applying light pressure, but without rubbing excessively.
5. Rinse to remove any remaining baking soda.
6. Dry the steel very well with a cloth.

If you are looking for an effective remedy against rust that will help you restore the shine of stainless steel, vinegar is one of the simplest solutions available to you. The ideal is use white vinegarthe one generally used in home cleaning, but also the wine or apple one can give you good results. You can use it in two ways:

• To remove large or stubborn stains on small objects, such as tools or cutlery, immerse them in a bowl or basin filled with vinegar, so that they are completely submerged. Let the vinegar acids act for five to ten minutes and you will see how the rust begins to come off. Then, take out the object and wash it with water. Dry with a cloth, preferably microfiber.
• To remove smaller stains, or for general cleaning of large surfaces, try diluting one cup of vinegar with one cup of water in a diffuser bottle. Apply to the area to be treated and remove the solution with a sponge moistened with water. Dry well and you will have stainless steel like new.

A file or lemon can also be effective as products for removing rust from stainless steel, especially if they are recent stains and are not too embedded. To use them, cut one of these citrus fruits in half and pass one of the halves through the rusty area. Wait a few minutes, wipe with a damp sponge and dry the piece to leave it spotless.

In addition to the previous home remedies, there are also specific industrial products to remove rust of stainless steel. They are safe, their effectiveness is guaranteed and you can use them without any effort.

The most recommended industrial products are those that contain oxalic acid and the easiest to use are those that come in cream form. Simply apply them to the rusty surface, let them act for a few minutes and remove with a clean, dry cloth.

Strippers and descales are stronger products that can be abrasive, so they should only be used for old, difficult-to-remove stains. If you choose this option, make sure that it is a stripper or descaler suitable for stainless steel and Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Now that you know how to remove rust from stainless steel in general, you may be interested in learning how to remove it from a specific appliance or object. To do this, we recommend you read the articles:

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