This category includes nitric acid, acetic acid (white vinegar), phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, muriatic acid, oxalic acid, and citric acid.
Here are the major types of rust removers and general guidelines for using them. The most common methods involve commercial-grade chemicals that eat away at rust buildup and stains, like acids and petroleum-based solvents. The best way to remove rust will vary depending on the type of material you’re working with, but if you start with the correct type of rust remover, you’re bound to get great results. Rust removers aren’t good for delicates like wool or silk, but for most other surfaces, you’ll find your solution below.
Rust stains are difficult to remove because of their bright color and stubborn resistance to typical cleaners like bleach and soap, which is why we’ve rounded up our top picks for the best rust removers on the market. When iron molecules are oxidized, they form an orangey-red residue (rust) on any surface containing-or in contact with-iron, including clothes, tools, household faucets, shower caddies, and the chrome fixtures on cars and bicycles. Basically, iron corrodes when it is exposed to oxygen and moisture (water or humidity), the technical term for the process being oxidation. Photo: Before You Buy Rust Removerīefore attempting the chemical process of rust removal, it helps to understand just what rust is in the first place.
