TOP 13 methods to remove rust from a knife at home
Every house has a knife for slicing bread and other foods. After prolonged use, traces of corrosion appear on the surface of the blade which must be removed. Therefore, it is recommended to determine in advance how to remove rust from a knife and what means to use for this.
What is it and why does it appear
People who use a kitchen knife for a long time may notice rust on its surface.
There are several reasons for corrosion to form, including:
- High humidity. Rust marks may appear if the item is stored for a long time in high humidity conditions.
- Inappropriate care. It's no secret that kitchen utensils need to be well maintained. Knives should be washed periodically to remove dirt and wiped with a dry cloth to remove moisture.
- Rare operation. Most often, corrosion covers products that have not been used for a long time and the condition of which has not been checked.
The main ways to get rid at home
There are several common home remedies that can be used to get rid of corrosion.
Traditional methods
Often, when dealing with traces of rust, they use affordable folk remedies.
Vinegar and lemon juice
There are many folk remedies for rust, but the most effective is a remedy made from lemon juice and liquid vinegar. First, the ingredients are mixed in a ratio of one to three, then added to a liter container with water.
To clean the surface of a knife blade, it is placed in the solution for one and a half hours. After soaking, wipe the product with a dry towel.
If there are traces of rust on the knife, the procedure will have to be repeated.
tomato paste
A cleanser made from plain tomato paste, tomato juice, or spoiled ketchup can help clean kitchen knives. This method is the simplest and is suitable for removing recently appeared corrosion.
To clean the surface, the tomato mixture is evenly applied to it. It is left for 35-45 minutes, after which the product is gently wiped off with a dry towel. If the marks have not disappeared, you will need to use more effective anti-corrosion agents.
Abrasive paste based on baking soda
Sometimes the above products will not help clean the blade and restore it to its original shine. In this case, you can try using an abrasive paste made from ordinary baking soda. To prepare the product, you will need to heat water and mix it with soda until a pasty mixture is obtained. When the composition is ready, it is evenly distributed over the surface and left for 40-50 minutes. Then the kitchen product is wiped with a damp cloth.
Coca Cola
It's no secret that carbonated drinks will help clean the metal surface from corrosion. The most effective carbonated product is Coca-Cola, which is sold in all supermarkets and grocery stores.
When using such a product, a few drops of Cola are applied to the rusty surface. Within half an hour, the liquid should eat away the rust marks. If they have not disappeared, the knife is dipped in a glass of Cola for an hour. Then it is rinsed with clean water and wiped dry.
Salt and lemon juice
This method will help remove long-standing corrosion that has appeared on the blade. To remove it, you need to sprinkle the product with salt, then pour freshly squeezed lemon juice into it. The rust corrodes within 10-15 minutes. Then the cleaned blade should be washed in warm water and carefully wiped with the coarse side of the sponge. Rub it very carefully so as not to accidentally scratch the metal.
Lactic acid and petroleum jelly
Some people not only want to get rid of rust marks, but also want to protect the kitchen knife from corrosion. To do this, you need to use a tool based on a paste of petroleum jelly and lactic acid. When creating the composition, mix one part of the paste with two parts of the acid. The prepared composition is evenly distributed over the damaged surface. After half an hour, the remnants of the product are washed off with water with corrosive particles.
Potato
Potatoes are considered effective against corrosive deposits. To clean the metal surface, rub it thoroughly with cut potatoes. Then the product is not touched for 1-2 hours so that the potato juice is absorbed into the rusty coating. At the end, the blade is wiped with a coarse cloth and dried.
If the potatoes did not help clean the surface, you will need to pre-treat it with lemon juice or tomato paste.
Onion
Sometimes, to remove corrosion residues, onions are used, which contain components that help clean the metal surface. Before cleaning, you need to take the onion head and cut it into two equal parts. Then the place of the cut is rubbed with soap, after which the product with a corrosive coating is treated with it. The procedure should last at least twenty minutes. After that, the processed knife is rinsed and wiped with a cloth.
The vinegar
You can use apple cider vinegar to remove buildup on a metal blade. It is poured into a half-liter glass, after which a rusty product is placed inside. It should be soaked for about forty minutes. Then it is checked whether the plaque remains on the surface. If this is the case, you will have to extend the procedure for another half hour. Before using the treated knife, be sure to wash it with water to remove the smell that remains after vinegar.
Chemical reagents
It is not always possible to clean old and stubborn stains with folk remedies, and therefore sometimes you have to use chemical reagents.
"Alka Seltzer"
Alka-Seltzer will help remove the corrosive layer. These tablets contain components capable of dissolving even old rusty deposits. To restore the knife, you will need at least five tablets of the drug.
They are poured into warm water and completely dissolved in it. When they dissolve, a rusty kitchen knife is placed in the container. It is soaked for an hour and a half, after which it is polished with a cloth.
Zinc chloride and potassium hydrotate
If Alka-Seltzer did not help solve the problem, you will need to use a more effective product, prepared from potassium hydrotate and zinc chloride. To do this, 200 milliliters of water are added per gram of substances.Then a knife blade is lowered into a glass with a chemical solution. It is soaked for about four hours.
Hydrochloric acid
Hydrochloric acid will help remove corrosive deposits, which can be used in place of the previous product. It should be used in conjunction with inhibiting agents which will prevent the metal surface from further deteriorating.
It is necessary to soak the product in a weakly concentrated 5% solution mixed with urotropin.
Professional remedies
There are several professional rust removers. The most effective and well-known are the following compositions:
- "Track";
- "Omega";
- "Adrilan".
Rules of care and storage
To prevent the knife from being damaged, it must be properly maintained. Therefore, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the recommendations for the care of kitchen products:
- the blade is periodically treated with wax, which protects the metal from rust;
- knives should be used often so that their surface does not deteriorate;
- after use, the blades are washed and wiped with a cloth.
Conclusion
Over time, corrosive deposits form on old knives. To get rid of it, you need to familiarize yourself with basic rust removers beforehand.