Soak in White Vinegar then Scrub

Submerge rusty items in undiluted white vinegar for several hours to overnight, then scrub away the dissolved rust.

How It Works

The acetic acid in white vinegar (typically 5% concentration) reacts with iron oxide (rust), dissolving it from the metal surface. The acid converts rust into water-soluble iron acetate, which can be wiped or scrubbed away. This is a slow, gentle chemical process that works well on moderate to heavy rust without the fumes or hazards of stronger acids.

Instructions

1. Clean loose dirt and grease from the rusty item
2. Place the item in a plastic or glass container (not metal, as vinegar will react with it)
3. Pour enough undiluted white vinegar to completely cover all rusted areas
4. Soak for 4-8 hours for moderate rust, or up to 24 hours for heavy rust. Check periodically
5. Remove the item and scrub with a stiff brush, steel wool, or crumpled aluminum foil. The rust should release easily
6. For stubborn spots, return the item for additional soaking
7. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all vinegar residue
8. Dry immediately and completely with a clean cloth or compressed air
9. Apply a light coat of protective oil (WD-40, mineral oil, 3-in-1 oil, or camellia oil) to prevent re-rusting

Tips

• An inexpensive household method — most people already have vinegar in their pantry
• Use distilled white vinegar, not apple cider vinegar, to avoid staining
• For items too large to submerge, soak rags in vinegar and wrap them around the rusted areas, re-wetting periodically
• Adding a tablespoon of salt per cup of vinegar can accelerate the reaction on heavy rust
• The solution turns orange as it absorbs dissolved rust — this is normal
• Vinegar can be reused several times until it stops being effective

Common Mistakes

• Soaking for multiple days without checking, which can begin etching and pitting the base metal
• Not rinsing thoroughly — residual acid continues reacting and can cause flash rust
• Letting the item air-dry instead of drying immediately, which causes flash rust within minutes
• Using a metal container, which the vinegar will also attack
• Expecting instant results — vinegar is a slow-acting acid that requires patience