Has rust formed on your metal objects? Use aluminum foil to remove it

Creativo

It is inevitable that the metal utensils and tools we use, will rust over time. But did you know that minor rusting and tarnish can be removed with aluminum foil? 

Rust forms when there is a chemical reaction (oxidation) between metal, oxygen and water. Rust - chemically known as iron oxide - can actually weaken the metal it forms on and may even be the main cause of the metal breaking or rupturing. This is why it is important to protect metal objects from rust and one way of doing this can be by using aluminum foil. Let's see how to do this:

Why does aluminum foil work well against rust?

Creativo

Aluminum foil can effectively remove rust through a simple chemical reaction. In fact, when aluminum foil is rubbed on a rusty surface, it triggers a reaction that reverses the oxidation process which is responsible for producing the rust (a lot like exfoliating one's skin using acidic products, like salicylic acid, for example).

Then, there is the mechanical action of the rubbing itself: the foil acts as an abrasive which helps to remove rust from the surface being treated.

In short, this double action makes aluminum foil a handy "tool" for dealing with rust.

How to use aluminum foil to remove rust around your home

Creativo

To remove minor spots of rust, all you need is some aluminum foil and, if you want, you can also use a small amount of white vinegar, lemon juice or even water.

The procedure is very easy:

• Take a piece of aluminum foil and crumple it into a ball;
• If you want, wet this aluminum ball with a little vinegar/lemon/water, but only slightly. If you are working on cast iron, only use water as acidic substances could damage the iron;
• Rub the ball on the rust spots until they disappear. Since aluminum is softer than iron, there is no risk of damaging the metal like steel wool would!

Two alternative ways to remove rust

If you don't want to use aluminum foil method (and definitely avoid using this method on cast iron and stainless steel), you can also use:

• Lemon and salt, or
• White vinegar and salt

In both cases, you just need to mix the two ingredients together to form a paste which has the consistency of a thick cream. Spread this paste over the rust spots using a soft sponge (do not use steel wool to do this). Rub on the rust spots to remove them (for more stubborn rust stains, allow the paste to act for a bit, then rub off and repeat if necessary). Finish the cleaning by rinsing off and drying thoroughly.

We're sure you'll find these easy and quick, rust-removing remedies are certainly worth trying!