Use Baking Soda Paste and Scrub

Apply a thick baking soda paste to rusted surfaces and scrub to remove light surface rust using a common pantry ingredient.

How It Works

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) acts as a mild abrasive that physically dislodges rust when scrubbed. It also has a slightly alkaline pH that can help loosen the bond between rust and base metal. This method relies more on mechanical abrasion than chemical action, making it gentler and better suited for light surface rust than heavy corrosion.

Instructions

1. Clean loose dirt and debris from the rusty item
2. Mix baking soda with a small amount of water in a bowl to create a thick paste (the consistency of peanut butter)
3. Apply the paste generously over all rusted areas
4. Let the paste sit for 1-2 hours to allow it to work on the rust
5. Scrub vigorously with a stiff brush, steel wool, or an old toothbrush for detailed areas
6. Add more paste as needed and continue scrubbing
7. Rinse the item thoroughly with clean water
8. Dry completely and immediately
9. Apply protective oil to the cleaned surface

Tips

• Best suited for light surface rust on kitchen tools, garden hand tools, bicycles, and vintage items where harsher methods might cause damage
• For slightly heavier rust, make the paste with vinegar instead of water — the combination fizzes (a harmless reaction) and provides both abrasive and acid action
• An old toothbrush works well for getting into crevices, screw threads, and detailed areas
• Baking soda is non-toxic and food-safe, making it ideal for kitchen knives, cookie sheets, and cookware
• This method produces no fumes and is completely safe to use indoors

Common Mistakes

• Expecting baking soda to remove heavy, deep rust — it is only effective on light surface oxidation
• Making the paste too watery, which reduces its abrasive effectiveness
• Not scrubbing long or hard enough — this method requires genuine physical effort
• Skipping the protective oil after cleaning, which allows the freshly exposed metal to rust again quickly