I Tried TikTok’s Rust Removal Trick on My Old Knives and Discovered an Even Better Way

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On our past camping trip of nan season, I discovered our 1 and only campy room weapon had patina and was opening to rust. Once home, I promptly forgot astir it, arsenic 1 does, until I saw this TikTok describing a elemental measurement to remove rust stains. In an effort to procrastinate connected much pressing tasks, I prioritized cleaning our camping weapon connected nan cusp of wintertime (when we will not beryllium camping). Because it conscionable made sense!

In nan video, Chantel Mila encourages viewers to “Remove rust spots instantly utilizing baking soda and citrus juice.” She uses half a citrus to scrub juice and baking soda connected nan aboveground of nan knife, and nan rust disappears. I ever person lemons connected hand, truthful I grabbed nan campy weapon from nan car shed and sewage to work.  

Initially I ignored nan baking soda recommendation, arsenic I figured nan acid-base combo results successful specified “glorified water.” What I was really excited astir was utilizing nan citrus half arsenic a scrubbing tool, truthful I sewage to work. 

I’m going to person to telephone bull connected nan “instantly” claim. There was thing instant astir this removal process. I saw truthful small advancement initially, that — contempt knowing a guidelines neutralizes an acerb — I tried nan baking soda pinch nan lemon. As expected, it didn’t make a difference. 

Next, I added immoderate brackish to nan weapon arsenic an abrasive. I saw immoderate important improvement, but astatine this complaint I was going to beryllium scrubbing nan weapon until our adjacent camping trip. At this constituent — apologies to Mila — I turned to Google. Popular weapon shaper Wüstof cautions, “Do not usage abrasive sponges,” but luxury weapon shaper William Henry says it’s OK to usage alloy wool. Since this was conscionable my campy knife, and not my santoku knife, I decided to consequence it. I mildly scrubbed nan citrus juice connected nan weapon pinch a caller shot of steel wool, and nan spots quickly (and finally) lifted. 

The alloy wool did nan trick, and my campy weapon is nary longer covered successful rust and patina. It’s besides not scratched and nary worse for deterioration from a gentle exertion of alloy wool. If you’re not consenting to consequence scratches, nan brackish and citrus combo will get you to nan aforesaid spot yet — assuming you’re much diligent than I am. The lemony smell makes nan activity much pleasant, and if you person nan clip and inclination, nan agelong way is decidedly best. 

If you’re for illustration me, however, and you want to region nan spots and get connected pinch your life, I won’t show Wüstof you utilized alloy wool. Promise!