How to Remove Rust in an Environmentally Friendly Way
Rust is the bane of metal fixtures, furniture, fences and ornamentation. While modern wrought iron fixtures are designed to withstand the elements and coated against rust, it can still rear its ugly head, and when this happens, you want to get rid of it without harming the environment around you. The good news is, there are methods by which this can be done, and some of them might just surprise you. Learn these innovative and natural means of eco-friendly rust removal from your ornamental and wrought iron fixtures while staying green!
Eco-Friendly Rust Removal
The most common form of rust, obviously, is iron oxide rust, which happens when metal is exposed to moisture and gets oxidized. Rust can eat away at your metal, but commercial rust removal products are full of toxins that can damage you and the environs around you. You also want to avoid harsh efforts like steel wool, which can gouge and scratch your iron. Stick with something like a toothbrush—you’ll find with the right approach you don’t need to work hard to scour away rust.
Salt and Lime Combination
By “lime,” we don’t mean the mineral. We mean lime juice. Place some salt on the rust, and then soak it down with lime juice. After letting it rest for a couple of hours, use the lime rind to rub away the rust!
Vinegar and Foil
Dipping aluminum foil into vinegar and using it to rub away the rust can also be effective and eco-friendly. Just be careful: this one carries the danger of scratching your ironwork should your foil crumple up and get sharp edges!
Baking Soda and Water
This is the classic means of removing just about any hard problem from mold to water spots to rust. Put the baking soda on the rusty area, and apply water by means of a wet toothbrush to scrub away the rust. Baking soda can also be combined with vinegar for an even more potent and still eco-friendly means of getting rid of rust.
Straight-Up Vinegar
Vinegar, in case you’re not picking up on it, is something of a “cleaning cure-all.” It’s great for tackling just about any tough household cleaning job, including getting rid of rust. Just soak your rusty bits in vinegar overnight and the rust might just melt away!
Potatoes and Dish Soap
If you have a favorite green dish soap, you can cut a potato in half and coat the wet (cut) end in either dish soap or baking soda, then rub away at the rust. When your potato gets too soiled, cut off a slice and continue on.
Professional Rust Removal
Of course, one of the most efficient ways to get rid of rust is to call on the services of a professional like AR Powder Coating. With processes like media blasting, we can get your ironwork sparkling clean while still protecting the surrounding environment! Get in touch with us today for more information or for a quote.
