Have you ordered a new set of intricately welded metal chairs but afraid that they’ll get rusty in a couple of years or so? For metal items meant to be placed outdoors, rust is one of the biggest problems. From residential metal fixtures such as garden decors and sculptures to professional ones like custom metal signs, there is a good chance that they’ll get rusty after being exposed to harsh weather elements in a prolonged period of time. And the consequences are not great at all.
Good thing it is not the end of your beautiful house and business metal decors. Those rust on your beloved items? It can be gone and they’ll shine again. If you have some rusty pieces of your favorite metal furniture and are looking for a way on how to make them dashing again, here are some tips that you can actually do.
1. Cleaning Spray Can Help
If the material only has a few light spots of rust, any spray detergent can help you remove them. All you have to do is spray the rusty area once or twice (make sure it’s sprayed evenly) and then brush all the rust off using a cloth or a sponge. Once the surface of the material is free from rust, wipe every inch of it with the help of a clean dry cloth to prevent rust from coming back sooner than expected. Quick and easy, right?
2. One More Thing to Love About Coca Cola
If you’re a loyal customer of Coca Cola, you should probably hoard some of it if you have rusty things at home. Surprisingly, this beverage is highly effective in removing rust stains. What you have to do is pour a considerable amount of the drink on the rusty area and rinse it off with the use of a sponge or cloth. After doing that, wipe the whole surface of the thing off with a dry cloth. Easy as 1, 2, 3!
3. Baking Soda is Not Just for Baking
Baking soda is like a staple in every home. Aside from baking, it is also an affordable way to deal and remove various stains–including rust. How do you use it? First, you have to take a considerable amount of baking soda and add a little water to create a thick paste. However, if we’re talking about really heavy rusting here, ditch water and choose hydrogen peroxide instead. Use a clean fabric to apply the mixture that you made on the rusty area and let it sit for around an hour. After that, scrub it with the help of a sponge till the rust comes off the material.
4. White Vinegar and Salt are Not Just Condiments
Another staple in every kitchen that is highly efficient in dealing with heavy stains are vinegar and salt. Here’s how you should do it. Pour some vinegar into a cup. The amount should be enough to cover the whole area with rust. Add a little bit of salt and stir the mixture until the salt dissolves. When it’s ready, you can put it in a spray bottle or just pour it directly into the rusted area. Let it sit for up to 15 minutes and wipe all the stains using a clean cloth. If the stain doesn’t come off, try repeating the whole process, and when it does, use a cloth to dry it.
5. Lemon and Salt Juice as Rust Remover
Lemon and lime can literally eat rust. On the other hand, salt works as an abrasive ingredient. In order to use them as a rust remover, you have to squeeze a couple of lemons into a cup and at a lot of salt to the squeezed juice. Make sure that the mixture is applied evenly on the surface with rust using a cloth. You need to wait for an hour or two before you rinse the whole material off with a sponge. And as we always say, dry it off with a cloth.
6. Coca Cola, Aluminum Foil, Salt, and Water for Better Results
This mixture is particularly effective in removing dirt and stains in materials made out of chrome and stainless steel. This is due to the wonders that aluminum foil does. While you can depend on the aluminum foil alone, it would be better to dip it into a mixture of water and salt, white vinegar, and most importantly, Coca-Cola. Here comes the hard part. You need to brush everything off till the rust comes off the material and dry it with a cloth.
7. Rust-removing Chemicals if You’re Desperate
Sometimes regardless of how we want to use things that we can find at home or create DIY mixtures, the rust just doesn’t come off. If the rust has penetrated the metal itself (not only a surface rusting), it’s time to find a better approach. You can find a lot of chemicals available in the market to help but it is crucial to follow the procedure written on the box. Don’t forget to wear a mask and protective gloves as these chemicals are strong and dangerous.
Can You Prevent Rusting?
Preventing your outdoor furniture and decors from rusting isn’t impossible. However, you have to make sure that you’re attentive to the early signs of rust and do maintenance on the said materials to prevent this from happening. You can apply a coat of wax and use water-resistant paint to ensure that the surfaces are protected. You should also buy protective covers and use them during the rainy or winter season. Another alternative is to temporarily store them in a shelter to avoid getting damaged. Inspect the furniture regularly and when you see the first rust spots, attend to it immediately before it damages the whole metal furniture further.
Takeaway
The ones listed above are just some of the most common rust removing tips that you can try at home. Most of them are home remedies to help ensure that you can make your beloved furniture and decors shine again without buying something at the store. Care for your outdoor furniture the way you care for your indoor ones.
