Authored by Kate Beswick in Cleaning
Published on 07-06-2009
Rust is a common problem that can be found around the home and once it’s found, it should be removed right away. Rust contains mostly oxalic acid, which has many hazards associated with it. Not only is this acid toxic but it’s also this acid that causes rust to eat through whatever it finds. This means that if your plumbing pipes are rusty, the acid will eat a hole completely through it if it’s not taken care of properly right away. There are many rust removers that can be purchased to help you take care of rust you find. But the problem with these industrial rust removers is that they can be just as toxic as the rust itself, if not more so, and they can be very pricey! In order to get rid of your rust safely, effectively, and cheaply, your best bet is to create a homemade rust remover.
There are many things inside your home that you can use to make your own homemade rust remover. Combining cream of tartar, hydrogen peroxide, and Borax can be a great solution that won’t hurt the surface of where it is applied, but will remove the rust. Borax can be found in the laundry aisle of most grocery stores but if you don’t have it or can’t find it, baking soda will work just as well. To create the concoction, use one teaspoon of cream of tartar and ¼ cup of Borax. Add just enough hydrogen peroxide until it begins to form a thick paste. Once the paste is at the consistency you want, apply it to the rusted area and let it sit for half an hour. Once half an hour has passed, wipe away the paste with a damp cloth and your rust should be gone! If not, repeat the process again until it is.
Borax can also be used as a homemade rust remover by mixing it with lemon juice and applying it to the rust. Use 3 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice, or the juice of one lemon, and add it to the Borax to create a paste. Apply the paste to the rust just as you would with the hydrogen peroxide solution and allow it to sit before wiping clean. This solution may take a few tries before you see results but it’s extremely safe to use around children and pets, and can be a powerful rust remover!
Vinegar is another common household product that can be used to remove rust. When using vinegar, put some in a spray bottle and spray the entire area with vinegar, making sure to cover it all. Scrub the vinegar into the rust before giving the rust another spray of vinegar. Let this sit for thirty minutes and wipe the rust away. If you choose to use vinegar as a homemade rust remover, be sure that you use white vinegar as other types may stain the area that you are trying to clean.
