How to Clean Rusty Tools

Co-authored by Eduardo Peralta and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: April 22, 2022

Anyone who’s worked with tools has encountered a rusty old tool that seems beyond salvage. If you have such tools in your toolbox, don’t be so quick to throw them out. It’s possible to remove rust from tools, even if the tool is covered in rust. If you have rusty tools, you can remove the rust by soaking them in dish detergent and warm water and then scrubbing the tools with steel wool or sandpaper. Additionally, you can use a vinegar and salt soak to soften the rust and then scrub it away with sandpaper. Alternatively, you can remove the rust with a commercial product like oxalic acid.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Sanding the Rust

1
Wash away dirt and grease. Mix grease-cutting dish detergent into warm water until you get suds. Place the tools into the soapy water. While the tools are submerged, scrub them using a sponge or rag until the oil and dirt are gone, then remove the tools from the water.^{[1]
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- The soap and water should mix more easily if you pour the detergent into the bowl before adding the water.
- You can also use a degreaser and scrub the tool with a brush or steel wool.^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Eduardo Peralta
  House Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 29 October 2021.}
- Dry the items completely when you're finished.^{[3]
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  Eduardo Peralta
  House Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 29 October 2021.}
2
Start with the areas most corroded by rust. Look for the thick patches of rust and start there. While you’ll clean away all of the rust, the process is easier if you work from thick rust to surface rust.
- For example, you’ll want to scrub off the flakes of rust before you attack the inset rust.^{[4]
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3
Scrub the rust with coarse sandpaper or steel wool. Choose a coarse grit to begin scrubbing as it will make it easier for you to scrape off the rust. If the sandpaper gets dull, switch to a new sheet.
4
Remove the remaining rust and unevenness with fine-grit sandpaper. Work over your piece with the fine-grit sandpaper to remove any fine speckles of rust and restore the shine to the metal. The softer quality of the paper should prevent damaging the metal of the tool.
- If your tool still has rust, then you may need to try a chemical remover.^{[5]
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5
Rinse and dry your tools. Once all of the rust has been sanded away, rinse your tools under clean running water to remove any debris. Dry them using a clean cloth or rag, making sure that no wetness remains.
- If you do not get your tools completely dry, more rust can develop.
- Use WD-40 on your dry tools to remove any residual moisture.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Vinegar and Salt

1
Prepare your tools for treatment. If the tool is part of a larger machine, such as a table saw, disassemble your unit. Wash all of the tools or parts to be treated for rust in a mixture of grease-cutting dish detergent and warm water to remove the oils and dirt.^{[6]
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- You can also use degreaser and scrub the item with a brush or steel wool.^{[7]
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  Expert Source
  
  Eduardo Peralta
  House Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 29 October 2021.}
2
Place your tools in a large container. You can use a plastic container, pot, or tub, as long as it’s large enough to submerge the tools. Choose a container that you can set aside for one to three days.^{[8]
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3
Cover the tools with white vinegar. White vinegar is acidic, so it will cut through the rust, making it easier to remove. While the amount of white vinegar will vary depending on how many tools you are cleaning and how big they are, track how much you add to the container so that you can properly measure your salt.^{[9]
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4
Add salt to the white vinegar. You should add roughly ¼ cup (60 milliliters) of salt for each quart (1 liter) of vinegar. The salt will increase the acidity of the vinegar so that the solution dissolves the rust quicker. Spread the salt evenly over the vinegar soak.^{[10]
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5
Allow your tools to soak for 1 to 3 days. The vinegar and salt need time to break down the rust so that it can be scrubbed from the tools. The longer you allow your tools to remain in the vinegar, the easier it will be to remove the rust.^{[11]
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- At a minimum, soak the tools in vinegar overnight.^{[12]
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  Expert Source
  
  Eduardo Peralta
  House Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 29 October 2021.}
- Place the container in a secure location so that children and animals won’t get into it. For example, you could lock it in your garage or shed.
- Pull out any tools with hinges or moving parts occasionally to move them around. This helps work out the rust from the crevices.
6
Scrub the tools with a scouring pad. After you remove the tools from the vinegar solution, vigorously rub your tools to buff away the rust. Continue to scrub the tools until they are completely free of rust.
- If the rust is thick, use a metal bristle brush.^{[13]
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- Use a small, firm toothbrush in circular motions for hard to reach areas.
7
Rinse out the container and fill it with clean water. Pour out the vinegar solution and wash out the tub. Fill the tub with enough clean water to match the amount of vinegar solution that you’d used.^{[14]
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8
Add baking soda to the water. The baking soda will neutralize the acid from the vinegar so that it doesn’t remain on your tools. Use about ¼ cup (60 milliliters) of baking soda for each quart (1 liter) of water. Mix the baking soda into the water to create a solution.^{[15]
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9
Place the tools in the water. Make sure that your tools are submerged in the baking soda solution. Allow the tools to soak for ten minutes before removing them. Dry them well with a clean towel.^{[16]
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10
Scrub the tools with steel wool. Use 0000 steel wool to buff the tools and remove any remaining spots. Your tools should be free of rust.^{[17]
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- Wear gloves and protective eyewear while you do this.^{[18]
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  Expert Source
  
  Eduardo Peralta
  House Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 29 October 2021.}
11
Wipe the tools with denatured alcohol. Apply denatured alcohol to a clean cloth and rub it onto the tools. The alcohol will help you make sure that no water remains on your tools. Water could cause more rust.^{[19]
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- Polish the tool with camellia oil to prevent more rust.^{[20]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Oxalic Acid

1
Purchase oxalic acid. If you’d rather use a commercial rust remover, you can find oxalic acid at your local hardware or home improvement store. The acid will work more quickly than natural methods.^{[21]
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2
Put on your goggles and rubber gloves. Keep yourself safe while you use the oxalic acid by protecting your eyes and hands from the corrosive effects of the acid. While this step is optional, it could prevent an injury.^{[22]
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3
Choose a well-ventilated area. The oxalic acid will release mild fumes, so to avoid lung irritation and light-headedness you need to work in an area with good ventilation. You could open a door or window, and turn on a fan if you have one.^{[23]
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4
Wash the tools in soapy water. Mix grease-cutting dish detergent into warm water. Thoroughly cleanse away the dirt and oil on the tools.^{[24]
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5
Add one gallon (4 liters) of water to a container. Your container should be large enough to hold the water and your tools. If you need more water, then adjust the acid measurements to match the water quantity.^{[25]
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6
Add three tablespoons (45 milliliters) of oxalic acid to the water. Carefully mix the acid into the water. Be careful not to splash the acid onto yourself or the surrounding work area.^{[26]
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7
Soak your tools in the container. Add your tools to the acid solution and leave them to sit for 20 minutes. The acid needs time to break down the rust.^{[27]
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- When you're using oxalic acid, you do not have to scrub the rust. The acid does all of the work to remove the rust.
8
Rinse and dry the tools. Wash away the remaining acid in clean water, and then completely dry the tools with a cloth. Your tools are now ready to use or store.^{[28]
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- If your tools still have water on them, then the rust could return.

Expert Q&A

Question

Does WD-40 clean rusty tools?

Eduardo Peralta
House Cleaning Specialist
Eduardo Peralta is a House Cleaning Specialist and the Manager of Best Maid House Cleaning based in San Jose, California. With over five years of experience, Eduardo and the Best Maid House Cleaning team specialize in home deep-cleaning, post-construction cleaning, and green and eco-friendly cleaning services. Best Maid House Cleaning is fully licensed and insured.

Eduardo Peralta

House Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

Yes! Any degreaser should work for the cleaning, but you may also use a home natural product or WD-40 if you wish. Scrub the tools with a brush and a degreaser before treating the rust.
Question

How do you permanently stop rust?

Eduardo Peralta
House Cleaning Specialist
Eduardo Peralta is a House Cleaning Specialist and the Manager of Best Maid House Cleaning based in San Jose, California. With over five years of experience, Eduardo and the Best Maid House Cleaning team specialize in home deep-cleaning, post-construction cleaning, and green and eco-friendly cleaning services. Best Maid House Cleaning is fully licensed and insured.

Eduardo Peralta

House Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

Do regular cleanings and always apply a rust inhibitor after each cleaning for the best conservation possible. Remember to wear gloves and eye protection when applying the inhibitor.

Warnings

Make sure that you only use acid in a well-ventilated area.

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Be careful when handling acid. Wear protective gear like goggles and gloves.

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