Dorre shares its best tips for removing rust from cutlery

How to Remove Rust from Cutlery - 5 Tips!

Do your cutlery pieces have ugly rust stains? You don’t need to throw them away or buy new ones. Rust on cutlery is common and often appears if they are exposed to moisture or washed with the wrong type of dish soap.

Here are five simple and effective tips for removing rust from cutlery using things you probably already have at home, such as vinegar, ketchup, citric acid, and baking soda.

  1. Soak the cutlery in vinegar

Mix 75% water with 25% vinegar in the sink or in a bowl. Place the cutlery in the solution and let it sit for about an hour. Take the cutlery out and scrub it clean with a soft brush. Rinse and dry it immediately with a towel.

  1. Polish with ketchup

Using ketchup may sound strange, but thanks to its acidity it works really well against rust. Apply a little ketchup to a cloth or directly onto the cutlery. Rub the stains and let it sit for a few minutes. Then wipe it off and polish with a clean, dry cloth until the cutlery is shiny again.

Rengör bestick från rost effektivt med citronsyra eller bakpulver

  1. Use citric acid

Citric acid is effective at dissolving rust and restoring the cutlery’s shine. Sprinkle a little citric acid on a damp cloth and rub directly on the stains, or run the cutlery through the dishwasher together with citric acid (follow the dosage instructions on the package). Remember to always rinse thoroughly afterward.

  1. Scrub with baking soda

Mix baking soda with a little water into a thick paste. Apply it to the rust stains and let it sit for a few minutes. Then gently rub with a soft cloth or sponge until the rust disappears. Rinse the cutlery thoroughly and dry it completely.

  1. Use steel wool for stubborn stains

For stubborn rust stains, you may need something more powerful, such as metal polish or fine steel wool. Polish with a soft cloth and metal polish, or gently rub with steel wool in the same direction as the metal to avoid scratches. Rinse the cutlery thoroughly and dry it immediately with a cloth.

Tip! To prevent rust in the future and remove rust from cutlery in the dishwasher, you can place a crumpled ball of aluminum foil in the cutlery basket when you wash dishes. The foil absorbs the rust and keeps your cutlery looking nice and shiny.

Want to read more about how to care for your cutlery or how to set the table with cutlery the right way? See more care advice for cutlery here!

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