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How to Remove Corrosion Using Only Household Products
Corrosion is of one of the most common problems with metals, which happens when there is oxidation, the process in which metal combines with oxygen.
Batteries and some galvanized steel often get corrosion when left unattended for a long time. Corrosion and rust can degrade and weaken metals and other materials especially if there are no way provided to stop it from spreading.
These methods are natural and will help the environment at least a little.
If you want to save your batteries or just about any metal from being fully corroded, here is how to remove corrosion with just the help products you can find around your home.
Using White Vinegar
There are literally more than a hundred uses for vinegar and one of them is removing corrosion and rust from tools and other stuff made from metal.
The acid in vinegar will react with and melt the buildup of rust. If you have rusted tools, simply soak all of them in full-strength vinegar for at least 24 hours or more. For big objects, just wipe the affected area with a rag soaked in vinegar.
Once rusts are melted, simply wipe your tools clean with a rag. The same process will work on rusted bolts and nuts. If you are trying to loosen up attached screws and hinges, pour vinegar on them for easy removal.
You may also try using an aluminum foil dipped in vinegar as your brush aside from the typical steel wool.
Watch this video of how to remove corrosion using vinegar:
Using Salt and Lemon
Salt is known to have abrasive qualities while lemon juice has acidic properties that effectively work as rust remover.
Prepare a lemon and salt paste by mixing the lemon juice and salt thoroughly. Then, apply the mixture to rusted surfaces using a cotton or clean rag. Wait for a couple of hours before scrubbing it off.
This method is commonly used on rusted toys and kitchenware such as knives and scissors. Another method is sprinkling salt all over the affected area and adding droplets of lime over it.
Using Potato and Salt
Not everyone knows about potatoes’ ability to remove rust but it is already a proven fact. Potatoes have oxalic acid that works like bleach and when used with some salt, the more effective it gets when removing corrosion on metals.
Simply cut a potato in half and sprinkle some salt over the cut surface. Scrub the cut part to rusted surfaces while adding salt to the potato every now and then. Rinse the surface thoroughly once rust is removed.
Using Baking Soda
Baking soda has more than a few functions around our homes. A lot of people have been using it to remove rusts and corrosion from their tools.
Prepare a paste by mixing baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the rusted surfaces and set it aside for a couple of hours before you scrub off and thoroughly clean the area with toothbrush and rag respectively. Most people use the baking soda solution for patio furniture, garden tool as well as car trims and surfaces.
Using Molasses
Black strap molasses have rust-removing qualities that can effectively get rid of stubborn corrosions on gardening tools, kitchen knives, scissors and other similar items.
To use this method, prepare a solution that is 12 parts water and 1 part black strap molasses. Dip the rusted tools and items in the solution and remove them after a couple of hours or anytime you feel that rust is completely removed already. Rinse your tools with water and wipe dry with a clean rug.
Using Oxalic Acid
This method requires extra precaution so make sure that you wear gloves and other protective clothing while doing this.
Oxalic acid can be very poisonous and dangerous to the skin. Mix 25 ml. of oxalic acid and 250 ml. of water. Soak the item for 20 minutes in the solution and clean it using a brass brush or rag.
Using Sandpaper
There are some stubborn rusts that cannot be removed by using vinegar or lemon right away. There are instances in which you may need to use a sandpaper to slightly rub rusted areas just to loosen up and decrease some hard build-up.
If you were able to remove some great amount of rust by using sandpaper, you may already take any of the steps above to completely remove the corrosion off your tools.
There are a lot of professional rust and corrosion removal products now that are available in the market. However, the methods mentioned above are natural and help the environment at least a little. You might want to try one of these before resorting to any professional help.
Sources:
http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-oxidation-definition-process-examples.html
http://corrosion.ksc.nasa.gov/corr_fundamentals.htm
http://corrosion.ksc.nasa.gov/corr_metal.htm
http://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/150-household-uses-for-vinegar/4/