Proven recipes and methods for cleaning rust from cast iron at home

During operation or improper storage, cast iron can corrode.

How to clean rust from cast iron at home?

You can remove rust from a cast iron surface using folk recipes (using soda, salt, vinegar and other means) and using special commercial compounds designed to combat rusty deposits.

Why does it rust and how to resist it?

Cast iron can be edible or non-edible. The latter is a fairly expensive material. In everyday life, cast iron products can be found most often in the kitchen. Particularly popular are frying pans and cast iron pots - rounded containers for preparing dishes in Russian stoves and ovens.

If a product is manufactured in violation of technology, is light in weight, has a non-uniform surface with inclusions, such a thing will not serve well.

In an effort to preserve cast iron cookware, you should follow these rules:

1. Do not leave leftover food in the container.
2. After washing the dishes, wipe them dry.

If cast iron begins to rust, you should immediately take measures to clean it.You can learn how to clean, for example, a cast iron frying pan. Here.

How to remove plaque using folk methods?

There are several ways to remove traces of corrosion from a metal surface and prevent further damage.. Folk recipes also deserve attention, as they are simple and based on easily accessible and inexpensive ingredients.

Baking soda

Baking soda works very well for removing rust from kitchen utensils. But only if the damage from corrosion is not deep.

Procedure:

1. Sprinkle baking soda on the rusty areas.
2. Pour enough hot water on top to form a paste.
3. Rub with a brush.
4. Rinse off.
5. Wipe dry.
6. If necessary, repeat.

Kitchen salt

Table salt is an environmentally friendly cleaning product that can always be found in the kitchen.. You can use it similarly to the method described above or using this option:

• pour a little salt onto a wet sponge, on the hard side;
• rub areas affected by rust.

Vinegar

Using vinegar to remove rust is effective due to the acid in its composition.

Progress:

1. A solution is prepared in the following proportion: for 1 tbsp. l. vinegar – 1 l. water.
2. The prepared liquid is poured into a rusty cast iron container.
3. Leave for 2-3 hours.
4. Drain the solution.
5. Rinse the container.
6. Wipe the surface dry.

If there is a lot of rust, then instead of infusing the container with the prepared solution, you need to boil it. He will tell you how to fight rust with vinegar. this article.

Sandpaper

If a cast iron product is covered with a thick layer of rust, then more radical measures must be taken. A significant layer will help eliminate mechanical processing.

It is better to first clean the rusted surface with coarse sandpaper, which allows you to remove the base layer. Then it is advisable to take a sheet of fine-grained paper and refine the remaining areas.

Alternative options for mechanical action:

• hard brush with metal bristles;
• steel wool;
• Sander.

Coca-Cola

The use of Coca-Cola for rust removal is due to the orthophosphoric acid it contains.

This substance is capable of reacting chemically with rusty areas of metal., transforming corrosive damage.

The technique is effective in ensuring liquid contact with the affected areas of cast iron. In order for the manipulation to have an effect, it is recommended to ensure that the cast iron remains in Coca-Cola for at least an hour. You can increase the effectiveness by heating the drink.

If you don’t have Coca-Cola on hand, you can try to deal with rust using another sweet carbonated water. In this case, the effect will be achieved due to the influence of citric acid, but it will be somewhat weaker than when using cola.

You can learn how to fight rust with Coca-Cola here.

Special cleansing products: top 3

Deep damage to cast iron may not respond to simple home remedies. Special chemical preparations of highly concentrated composition will come to the rescue.

CPPS paste

Anti-corrosion paste produced in the Russian Federation is suitable for cleaning not only cast iron, but also other metal structures.

Advantages of the product:

• ease of processing of vertical and inclined structures due to its thick consistency and lack of dripping;
• the likelihood of damage to the metal itself during processing is reduced;
• ease of use;
• efficiency;
• cost-effectiveness;
• the presence of a nano-sized filler in the composition;
• extending the service life of products;
• penetration even under the paint layer during corrosion underneath.

The scope of application of the CPPS is very wide, including:

• cleaning weapons,
• ship repair work,
• restoration of railway equipment,
• body work, etc.

Price - about 500 rubles per package of 0.25 kg.

Syntilor Ruggine

This rust remover is suitable for combating corrosion on metal surfaces. The product has many advantages:

• quick achievement of results;
• economical consumption;
• even after defrosting, the properties of the product are not lost;
• Suitable for treating even old rust stains.

Contains degradable surfactants and hydrochloric acid (up to 5%). The cost of a 1 liter package is about 500 rubles.

Prosept Rust Remover

The ready-to-use rust remover comes in an easy-to-use 0.5 liter package equipped with a sprayer. Also available in other volumes.

The preparation contains mineral acids and a solvent.Rust Remover is produced in Russia. The cost of a 0.5 liter bottle is from 250 rubles.

How to remove stains without damaging a cast iron surface?

In an effort to quickly deal with rust, you can damage the cast iron and ruin the item. The following recommendations will help prevent possible problems:

1. Mechanical removal of corrosion is best done in a horizontal direction in a circular motion. You should not try to chip off damaged areas with blows or vertically directed impact. This increases the likelihood of damage to the cast iron itself.
2. When cleaning with chemicals, the preparations should not be left on longer than recommended.
3. For advanced cases, the use of cola, salt and soda is ineffective.
4. For daily care of cast iron cookware, you should not use abrasive products, as they remove not only dirt, but also a protective layer that protects against corrosion.

9 recommendations

Clean rust from cast iron without unpleasant consequences The following recommendations will help:

1. Work should be carried out wearing protective gloves.
2. Exposure to chemical reagents should only be carried out with good ventilation indoors or outdoors.
3. Special corrosion removers contain aggressive substances that, when in contact with clothing, can leave permanent stains. This can be prevented by using protective work equipment.
4. After cleaning, any chemical agent must be thoroughly rinsed off the cast iron, and the surface must be dried.
5. After cleaning cast iron kitchen utensils, you should restore the protective layer on its surface. To do this, the dishes are calcined with salt, after which they are lubricated with refined oil.
6. For serious, deep rust damage, cast iron can be subjected to step-by-step treatment with anti-corrosion agents and mechanical grinding.
7. Oven cleaners and Pemolux can be used to remove rust from cast iron household products.
8. Cast iron cookware left unused for a long time begins to lose its performance properties and rust. The solution to the problem is its regular use.
9. Chips and deep scratches on cast iron cookware contribute to corrosion as they compromise the integrity of the material. Careful handling of rather fragile cast iron and restoration of the protective layer in case of damage will help prevent damage.

Video on the topic of the article

How to clean a cast iron frying pan from rust and carbon deposits, video instructions:

Conclusion

You can try to clean cast iron from rust using improvised means. If they are ineffective, it is recommended to use special preparations that can stop corrosion and remove plaque.