Introduction
Every household aims to ensure each of its kitchen utensils is clean and ready for cooking activities. However, the majority of the households experience a challenge rusting of the metal-made utensils. Rusting has been associated with many adverse effects, including health complications and other harmful effects. One of the affected utensils is the kitchen knives that rust easily when exposed to the condition necessary for rusting, including poor storage.In connection, the article identifies and explains the various ways to remove rust from kitchen knives.
Various Ways to Remove Rust from Kitchen Knives
Removing Rust Through The Use Of White Vinegar
Ideally, vinegar has become popular in its ability to clean different items. When using vinegar to remove rust, one only needs to plunge or submerge the rusty knives into a bowl of vinegar and allow the rusty knives to stay in the vinegar for the whole night. Next, once the rust knives have been soaked effectively, remove the bowl and scrub the knives using steel wool or wire brush to scrub off the rust. Subsequently, clean the knives using a clean and dish soap and dry them thoroughly before storage.
The use of Baking Soda
Baking soda is another substance used to remove rust from kitchen knives. However, baking soda only applies best in knives made of thin metal and has light rust stains.
The use of baking soda entails a specific procedure to ensure the rust is effectively removed. The process begins with mixing water and baking soda into a thick paste and spreading the thick paste on the surface of the knife, ensuring all the rust spots are covered. Allow the paste to sit on the surface for a minimum of one hour to ensure the process becomes effective. Afterward, scrub the surface of the knife using steel wool or wire brush to remove the rust spots. The scrubbing becomes more accessible as the thick paste mixture of water and baking soda softens the rust spots. Lastly, rinse the paste using clean water and dry the knife thoroughly.
Using lemon and Salt
The majority of individuals are surprised at how lemon and salt are used to remove rust from knives.
The combination acidity property of lemon and abrasiveness of salt works well in removing rusts in kitchen knives. How does this happen? Start by covering the rusts spots with salt and squeeze lemon juice on the top of the salt layer. Allow the mixture to sit for a minimum of two hours without any form of disturbance. After two hours, scrub the knife with lemon rind until the rust spots are removed. For the hard-to-remove rust spots, use either steel wool or wire brush to scrub them out. Finish by rinsing off the lemon, salt, and rust residue and dry the knives before storing or using them.
The use of Dish Soap and a Salted Potato
Surprisingly, dish soap and salted potato have been proved effective in removing rusts and can remove rust spots on kitchen knives. Scientifically, potatoes contain oxalic acid, the main ingredient in most cleaning products. Typically, oxalic acid dissolves rust, and one only needs to use dish soap and potato to scrub the scrubs spot.
Using these substances is easy, and one only needs to slice half of the potato, cover it with dish soap and sprinkle salt on the potato. Crucially, as the rust dissolves, the salt acts as an abrasive agent and assist sin scrapping the rust spots. Next, rub the rust spots with the potato and rinse with clean water. Similarly, dry the knives before storing or using them.
The use of Citric Acid
Majorly, citric acid is found in health food stores or the baking aisle of several supermarkets. When it comes to removing rust from kitchen knives, Citric acid produces a tremendous job. Add three tablespoons of citric acid to a bowl of hot water and immerse the rusty blades overnight. On the following day, scrub off the dissolved rust.
The use of Chemical solutions such as Metal Glo
Several chemical solutions can be used to remove rust from knives. One of the chemical solutions is the Metal Glo,known for removing rust and safe knives. Cautionary, rub the Metal Glo on the grain pattern to prevent the scratching of the metal.
The use of A cork and Makeup Remover
Though not famous, known, or used, a cork and a make-up remover help remove rust spots in kitchen knives. The method requires cleansing milk on the pin and gently rubbing the knife’s blade. Notably, the plans only work best in light spots of rust.
The use of Onion
The use of onion is a standard but least applied method used to remove rust spots on kitchen knives. Typically, onions contain sulfuric acids that help dissolve the rust by just rubbing off the blade surface of a knife with an onion.
Conclusion
The use of white vinegar is highly recommended as the best way to remove rust. This is because using white vinegar can effectively remove the large patterns of rust spots, a unique feature from other forms. Additionally, using this vinegar is a natural method with vinegar readily available, thus cheap than chemical solutions. Moreover, white vinegar does not remove the paints or other coatings, common disadvantages associated with several different methods. Therefore, white vinegar ensures the knife retains its original and decorative coating. Nonetheless, it is advisable to prevent the knives from rusting by adopting the necessary practices. Some effective methods are ensuring the knives are generally kept clean after use and dry before being stored.
