No matter how high-quality stainless steel is used to make the knife, it will sooner or later fall victim to rust. Not because it is the most abusive item in the kitchen, but because most of the individuals never used to maintain them correctly. Before heading toward the complete content on how to prevent rust on knives, we must know what rust is and the extent to which it is dangerous to the blades.
What is Rust?
Rust is the reddish or reddish-brown coating of the iron oxide that makes the stainless steel knives impotent to use. Rust mostly occurs in the presence of moisture. So, if you have placed your blades in an area that has water particles around, get ready to see a layer of rust on it!
How to keep kitchen knives from rusting?
To put a full stop to rust sticking to the knives, try to keep them with a coating of oil after use. Plus, pack them back in their casing after use or store them in a dry place away from the moisture. Moreover, you can safeguard your essential steel utensils by coating a layer of powder on them. This won’t let rust make a layer on your precious knives.
A Pro Tip For All Newbies:
Wrapping Up!
If you are a newbie in cooking and are not an expert in keeping the kitchen utensils with care, this tip will benefit you. Once you have completed all the tasks using your knife, always wrap it up in a foil sheet. It won’t just prevent it from making cuts on other things, but this will keep the blade shielded.
So yes, bring a sheet of foil today in your kitchen essentials and keep your knives the same as new. Plus, this will also repel the rust from attacking the blades.
How to get rust off of stainless steel knives?
Rusting on metals is a natural process, and it occurs when metals come in contact with oxygen and water. So rust and moisture are like boon companions. They support each other in making ease for the tasks. If you have ever left your knife in a moist area, that moisture will stick like a healthy gum to the blade and call the rust to make a coating on the knife.
Pit corrosion is another reason for rust. The stainless steel knives are the most common victims of the specks of rust.
How To Remove Rust From Stainless Steel Knives And Utensils | Complete Guide
Here are some of the best and useful methods to make your kitchen knives and other kitchen utensils free from rust.
1. How To Remove Rust From Stainless Steel Knives-White Vinegar:
Having a coating of rust on your knives can be so stressful. But if you know about the cleaning power of vinegar, then rust is nothing troublesome for you. But to cleanse the blade deeply, you must know its proper usage. Don’t fret yourself on how to remove rust from carbon steel knives, just head toward the method mentioned below.
STEP 1: Clean Your Knife
Before applying anything to the rusted knife, don’t forget to clean it. It’s the initial and the foremost step to make the knife rust-free using white vinegar. So, take a clean tissue or piece of towel and rub it on the knife blade to remove all dirt and the oil particles.
STEP 2: Let It In The Vinegar Bowl
The next step is placing the knife or any metal utensil in the bowl with white vinegar. Not just for a few hours, but you have to set the items in the vinegar bath overnight. The more they are soaked in the vinegar, the more meaningful the action will be.
STEP 3: Scrubbing With A Wire Brush
Don’t expect excellent results with just soaking it in the vinegar. One of the main steps is to scrub it using a wire brush. Once you have scrubbed it well, all the rust will get off, and even the little spots will also vanish.
STEP 4: Wipe The Blade Clean
After scrubbing, the next and final step you have to do is clean it with a dishwasher and then wash it with clean water. After this, you will indeed have a clean, rust-free knife. If you are worried about removing rust from stainless steel utensils, you can apply the same method for those things as well.
2.How To Remove Rust From Stainless Steel Knives With Baking Soda:
Most of the peeps are aware of cleaning the kitchen metal items using baking soda, but they are not fully aware of the whole procedure on how to remove rust from knives with baking soda. So, here you go. For your ease, we have explained the entire method in detail.
STEP 1: Clean Your Knife
For removing rust from your thin metal knives, clean the knife blade with a piece of dry cloth. It will remove any dirt and oil stains from it.
STEP 2: Create Baking Soda Paste
In the second step, make a paste of baking soda using regular tap water. Please don’t make a very runny paste as it will cause problems in scrubbing. The consistency must be thick so that it may easily stay on the blade of the knife. Apply the baking soda paste on the utensil and set it aside for about two to three hours. Make sure that the paste has covered all the rusty areas.
STEP 3: Scrub With Toothbrush
One of the best tools for scrubbing is the toothbrush that works like any other professional scrubbing tool. When it’s been two hours for the paste on the blade, start the process of scrubbing. Scrubb it well so that the bristles of the brush reach all the sides equally.
STEP 4: Removing The Rust Particles With Abrasive Sponge
After scrubbing, it’s time to pull off all the rusty spots. For scouring, use an abrasive sponge or steel wool and remove all the rust.
STEP 5: Wipe The Blade Clean
In the end, wipe away all the paste and the rust with tissue paper. If not, you can also choose the option of washing it using tap water. But don’t forget to dry it entirely after the process of rinsing.
3.How to remove rust from stainless steel kitchen knives with Lemon And Salt
A mixture of lemon and salt is the best technique to rust away from the rust. But it’s only useful if the rust has just started. If the rust has reached the interior metal, then this technique may not work. If you have a knife in your kitchen drawer covered with rust, this technique will remove it in the initial steps. It’s one of the easiest methods to make kitchen knives and other utensils rust-free at home.
STEP 1: Clean The Knife
Cleaning is the most prime step in making a knife rust-free using lemon and salt. So follow this step and clean it with a towel or a wiping tissue.
STEP 2: Coating Of Salt
In the second step, you have to coat the whole blade with salt. Try to reach each side or the edge so that every single corner gets disinfected. You can do this by sprinkling the salt over the blade. If not, talk salt in a bowl and then place the edge on that salt. In this way, the salt will cover the blade more excellently than using the method of sprinkling.
STEP 3: Squeezing The Lemon On Salt-Covered Knife
Continue the process by squeezing the lemon on the blade. Now the salt will stick to the knife, and it will make a scrubbing paste. If you mix both of the ingredients, then the paste may not stick well. Using both the ingredients separately will do their work singly. Now place the knife aside for two to three hours.
STEP 4: Rubbing Off The Residue With Steel Wool
After waiting for two to three hours, rub the salty surface of the knife with steel wool. This will wipe away all the rust spots.
STEP 5: Rinse The Blade
Place the knife under the tap and rinse it well with water. After washing, never forget to dry the blade before storing it in the drawer. So you will get a rust-free knife at your home without any toil.
4. How To Remove Rust From Stainless Steel Knives with Dish Soap And Salted Potato:
You should not ignore this point after seeing a salted potato in the heading. Do you know oxalic acid in the potatoes works like a ninja in removing the stains and especially rust particles? If not, keep this information in your mind as it is beneficial in cleaning the kitchen knives and other metal items.
STEP 1: Cleaning The Knife
Before applying anything on the blade, clean it thoroughly so that the thing you are going to use may function fully.
STEP 2: Covering The Salted Potato With Dish Soap
Cut a potato in half and cover the cut side with salt. Now the potato is salted and ready to work with the dish soap. Now dip the salted potato in the dish soap. As the salt and the dish soap dissolves, they will act as an abrasive agent.
STEP 3: Rubbing The Sliced Potato On Rusted Knife
Once the salt and soap are mixed well, rub the potato on the knife covered with the rust. Use a toothbrush or a ball of steel wool for this purpose. Brush bristles will reach all the sides, and this will dissolve off all the rust.
STEP 4: Rinse The Blade
When you feel that all the rust has dissolved, rinse the blade with water and dry it thoroughly to prevent another attack of rust.
5. How To Remove Rust From Stainless Steel Knives-Potato And Baking Soda
Potatoes are natural cleaning agents. And if these are coupled with the baking soda, then the functioning power gets doubled. Using these two in the rust removal is the best option. If you don’t have any other ingredient to get the rust off from the metals, you must go for this method. That’s so because both of these ingredients are present in each kitchen.
So bringing out the elements from the kitchen for cleaning the kitchen utensils is something pleasing. If you are also worried about how to remove rust from a pocket knife, follow the below-mentioned points.
STEP 1: Cleaning The Knife Blade
Thoroughly clean the knife and prepare it for the rust removals to apply on it.
STEP 2: Preparing The Potato
For cleaning purposes, slice an average-sized potato into two halves. Take one half and make cuts on its already cut side. Now sprinkle baking soda on it. As soon as the baking soda moves inside the cuts, it will make a pate with the potato’s water.
STEP 3: Rubbing The Rusted Knife
Take the cut piece of potato and rub it thoroughly on all the sides of the knife. The oxalic acid in the potato will cut the rust, and you will get a shiny, rust-free surface.
STEP 4: Rinsing The Blade
Once you have completed the scrubbing step, rinse the blade with water and then use oil to grease the blade. If not, dry the knife fully well and keep it away from any moisture.
6. How To Remove Rust From Stainless Steel Knives Using Onion:
One of the easiest and hassle-free methods to dissolve all the rust from your metal items, especially the kitchen knives, is using onions. When you have selected the onion option, you are not required to collect several ingredients. Believe me; none can find the most comfortable method than this one.
STEP 1: Cleaning The Blades
You can’t apply any technique to your knife if the knife is not cleaned well. So before moving forward, clean the blade fully well.
STEP 2: Slicing And Setting The Onion
In the second step, take some onions and cut them with the rusted knife. Now place that rusted knife down and layer the sliced onion on that knife. Keep it aside for three hours. The sulfenic acid in the onion will dissolve off all the rusty patches.
STEP 3: Wiping The Blades
In the end, wipe the blade off using the wet cloth. Or you can also choose the option of washing the knife under tap water.
7. How To Remove Rust From Stainless Steel Knives with Dirt Method:
You would never think that soil can help you out in dissolving rust from the knife that has been considered out of order for a long time. Mostly we consider dirt and soil particles as the resistance-creating ingredients but this can be so magical for your kitchen tools. Here are the points that you have to follow to beneficially use dirt for removing rust.
STEP 1: Clean The Knife
Make your knife oil-free so that the reactant may easily react to dissolve all the rusty patches. If left oily, you can never be successful in removing the rust.
STEP 2: Dropping The Knife In Rich Soil
After removing all the oil, push that rusty knife into the rich soil. Repeat this step about two dozen times and after the very last step, let it in the soil for a short duration.
STEP 3: Cleaning The Knife Again
Now wipe up the knife and cheer! It’s rust-free and ready to use again.
8. How To Remove Rust From Stainless Steel Knives with Citric Acid And Water
A Homemade Rust Removal Recipe:
Citric acid is one of the least abrasive ways to remove the rust out of the metals. But don’t forget that this ingredient can also remove paint and other coatings, so you can’t use it for all the metal items. Plus, it can be harmful to your hands. So cover your hands in plastic gloves and bring this acid into your use.
Step 1: Cleaning The Knife
No matter which method you will use, the initial step must be cleaning the blade of the knife or surface of any other metal item.
STEP 2: Making The Citric Acid Liquid Solution
In the next step, take a large-sized bowl and pour boiling water into it. Now add citric acid to that boiling water. Stir it using any stirrer. You will see small bubbles forming in the solution. If there are no bubbles, keep on adding the citric acid. Now place the rusted items in that solution and let them in it overnight.
STEP 3: Scrubbing With Scouring Pad
Finally, the metal items are in the condition of getting scoured. Use steel wool or a scouring pad to complete this task. During scouring, you will see flakes of rust peeling off the metal. Keep on scouring until all the rust patches are removed.
STEP 4: Wipe Or Rinse The Blade
In the end, rinse the metal or steel with tap water and keep it aside for drying. So after reading this method, you may not question how to remove rust spots on knives from the dishwasher anymore in your mind.
9. How To Remove Rust From Stainless Steel Knives with Metal Glo
Metal Glo As An Inspiring Chemical Solution For Rust Removal:
If you want a rust removal with really inspiring results, then you must head towards the Metal Glo. This chemical solution won’t let you be disappointed as it has the power to remove rust from small and large-sized metal objects leaving a sparkling shine on the item. This one is the unrivaled answer for “how to remove rust from large metal objects.” So, you can use this method with blind eyes. Just follow the below-mentioned process and let your rusted knives shine like the new ones.
STEP 1: Cleaning The Metal
Start using this solution with the initial step of cleaning the metal item. In case there is any oil or dust on the surface, the magic glo won’t work correctly, wasting all your efforts.
STEP 2: Bring The Metallic Surface In Contact With The Metal Glo
Coat the rusted area with Metal Glo paste and place the metal aside for a few hours. It is a non-abrasive polishing solution with aluminum oxide in it. This will dissolve all the rust from carbon steel, silver, nickel, or any kind of jewelry item. The preferable point of this solution is, you won’t need to scratch the rusted surface as it will dissolve all the rust so easily.
STEP 3: Rigorously Rinse The Metal
Never forget to wash the knife thoroughly after using this method. If not, any left particle of the paste can be harmful to the individuals. So, rinse it and dry it well to avoid any further attack of the rust.
Metal GloNaval Jelly- The Unrivalled Rust Treatment Formula:
No solution can beat the rust-removing power of Naval Jelly. Especially if you are fed up with trying different techniques for dissolving rust from large metal objects. Iron railings, barbecue grills, lampposts, or any other large-sized furniture item can become prey to this solution.
STEP 1: Thoroughly Clean The Metal Surface
After going through all the mentioned methods, you may have now learned that cleaning the surface is the foremost step in rust removal. The same is the case in this solution. In the first step, clean the metal surface to remove any dirt or oil.
STEP 2: Spray The Solution
You can use this solution both in the form of paint or spray. Place the rusted metal object in a spacious space to easily remove the extra particles in the air. Spray the solution on all the sides so that not a single corner is left uncovered with it. Once you have completed the spraying process, leave the object for a few minutes. The solution will dissolve all the rust patches leaving a clean and shiny surface behind.
STEP 3: Wipe The Dissolved Rust Patches
In the end, wipe the dissolved rust patches with a wet piece of cloth. Then place a coat of oil on the surface to prevent corrosion.
Here the most salient point you have to note is never to try this solution on stainless steel knives or anything made with thin metal.
11. How to remove rust from stainless steel knives with Lemon Juice-
A Natural Rust Removal:
Lemon juice is the natural rust dissolver. The acidity of lemon works to soften the rust particles making it easy to remove. You can use it for all types of metals, but it works best for small-sized metal objects or knives.
STEP 1: Swabbing The Metal Surface
Without any doubt, clean the knife blade so the dirt particle may note any resistance to removing the rust.
STEP 2: Squeezing The Lemon
Squeeze the lemon on the rusted area and let the object in it for a few minutes. Don’t keep the item in the lemon juice for so long because this will damage the metal. For better results, you can mix borax in lemon juice.
STEP 3: Scrubbing Using Toothbrush
After placing the metal in lemon juice, start cleansing it using a toothbrush. The bristles will push lemon juice in all corners so there will be equal acidity on the whole surface.
STEP 4: Wipe Or Rinse The Surface
As the last step, rinse the stainless steel knife under tap water and let it dry by keeping it aside.
12. How to remove rust from stainless steel knives with Bar Keepers Friend-
A Must-Have Rust Removal For Metal Tools:
Having rust in your stainless steel sink? Tired of trying all the methods of removing rust from metal tools but all in vain? Here is the best solution for you. Make the bar keepers friend your first choice and have shiny surfaces of all the metal items. Bar Keepers Friend can go best for all the stainless steel knives, sinks, and other metal tools.
STEP 1: Cleansing the Metal Surface
Start the process of rust removal by cleaning the metal surface. Once it is cleaned, you can continue the rust removal process.
STEP 2: Direct Sprinkling Small Surfaces And Paste Making For Large Tools
For removing rust from a small area, sprinkle the powder directly on the affected area. For example, if there are a few rust spots on the kitchen knife, Bar Keepers Friend will dissolve all the specks so easily.
If you face rust on large areas of metallic items, you need to mix this powder with water to make a thick paste. Place it well on the whole surface and let this paste dissolve the rust patches.
STEP 3: Rubbing And Scrubbing
Now for powered action, take a damp cloth and rub it on the surface to remove the stains. The wet cloth will work so efficiently with the powdered solution.
For the large-sized tools or sinks, use steel wool and scrub the paste until the rust patches are peeled off the surface.
STEP 4: Rinse The Surface
Once the rubbing and scrubbing process is complete, rinse the metal under tap water. But don’t store the metal item immediately after washing. Let it dry for a few hours under natural air, and then keep it in the dry environment.
13. How to remove rust from stainless steel knives with WD-40-
As The Professional Rust Removal:
The heavy metal objects can never get rust-free with homemade recipes. The heavy metals can’t be thrown and replaced so quickly. The only solution to such metals is the powerful rust dissolving WD-40 solution. Almost all the rust-removing methods are time taking but here is something swift for you. Not just time saving, but you will get guaranteed results.
STEP 1: Cleansing The Metallic Item
To fasten the rust removal action, clean the metallic surface. That’s so because sometimes the dirt and the oil particles become resistant in the way of rust removal. So always follow this initial step.
STEP 2: Soaking The Metal In Solution
Pour the solution into a spacious tub and place the affected item in it. You can also pour the liquid directly into the rusted area. Within a few minutes, you will get the rust-free and shiny surface back, and it would be much similar to the new one. You can regularly use this solution with a short duration gap so that the tools may not get the rust back on them.
STEP 3: Wipe Or Wash The Tool
Once you get your tool back in the new state, try to wipe the surface to remove the solution from it. If possible, you can also wash out the body.
Final Thoughts:
Try your best to keep the metallic goods safe from the initial rust attack. Unfortunately, if any of your tools become prey to the rust, you simply can’t throw it away. The only way to bring it back to the previous shiny appearance is to use any of the methods discussed in this content.
After going through the entire range, you may have become a maven using various techniques to dissolve rust. So you can opt for the best one on your own. We recommend using the homemade solution of citric acid and water for all the kitchen knives and small tools on our behalf. For the larger metallic items, try out the WD-40 solution to get rust-free tools within no time.
We have tried our best to make you aware of all the fantastic and effective techniques about “how to remove rust from stainless steel knives”. So that you may not overthink how to remove rust from stainless steel utensils. Still, if you have any other supreme idea, you are free to present it in the comment section and please tell us what method you have used or going to use. We will surely appreciate your efforts.
FAQs:
QUESTION: Does vinegar remove rust from stainless steel?
ANSWER: No doubt vinegar is among one of the fantastic rust cleaners. You can go for this rust removal without any confusion. Mix white vinegar in plain water, place the stainless steel in it, and let this magical solution amaze you with its excellent result.
QUESTION: Why are my stainless steel knives rusting?
ANSWER: One of the most common and the main reasons for rusting the stainless steel knives is moisture. If you have placed your knives near water or keep putting them in the dishwasher for a long time, you will start getting rust within no time. That’s all when steel comes in contact with water and oxygen.
QUESTION: Does WD-40 remove rust from stainless?
ANSWER: WD-40 goes best with different metals like iron, chrome, plus stainless steel. So bring this solution today and pour it on the rusty stainless steel to get it back into its shiny and rust-free look.
QUESTION: How do you keep stainless steel knives from rusting?
ANSWER: You can say that stainless steel is rust attracting metal. So you have to keep it with much care. To keep this metal away from catching rust, always dry it thoroughly after usage. Plus, wrap it in the foil sheet to prevent it from catching moisture. So if there is no moisture all around, there will be no rust on the metal surface.
QUESTION: Why do my stainless steel knives rust in the dishwasher?
ANSWER: Dishwashers are the areas that have moisture all around. So if you keep on placing your stainless steel knives in the dishwasher for a long time, they will catch water and oxygen and attract the rust. To prevent them from rusting, never place them in the dishwasher for so long.
