There’s no way around it, rust happens. If you’re an avid, everyday knife user or occasionally use a knife on a camping trip, a little rust can creep onto your knife in the blink of an eye. Certain conditions can make rust, but no one likes a rusty knife, and if you don’t take care of it quickly, it will continue to worsen over time. However, no matter how bad the situation is, we can show you how to get rust off a knife.
Luckily, the techniques to remove rust from knives are relatively straightforward. You won’t need a big sander or belt, just a few household items or things you could pick up from any hardware store. In this article, we’ll cover how to clean a rusty knife and stainless steel, what rust is, and how to prevent it.
Before we get too deep into things, let’s talk about what rust is. We’ve all seen rust and know it happens, but what causes it? Simply put, rust is a reaction of iron and oxygen, usually caused by moisture.
CAN STAINLESS STEEL RUST?
Now, you may be asking, “I thought I bought a stainless-steel knife, can stainless steel rust?” That’s a fair question, and the short answer is yes. Stainless steel is corrosion-resistant but not corrosion-proof. It depends on the type of steel used and the conditions you place it in. Moisture exposure is usually the main culprit, but prolonged exposure to heat, harmful chemicals, grease, and water can all contribute to rust.
Even with all the added measures and steel, the best practice is always to keep it clean and dry. If you can, keep your knives in a place with low humidity. And if a bit of rust starts to show, follow any of these easy methods below.
HOW TO GET RUST OFF YOUR KNIFE USING A RUST ERASER AND METAL POLISH
A rust eraser and some metal polishes are how most knife enthusiasts handle a rust spot on a blade. You may have to hit the hardware store or find these materials online, but you can find both items without breaking the bank.
Start by grabbing your rust eraser, metal polish (Flitz Fetal Polish is a safe bet, but there are many out there), and an old rag, preferably microfiber.
Take your rust eraser and scrub the rust spots on the blade. Scrub it firmly like you’re doing the dishes. Little bits of the eraser will come off as you do it, but keep at it until you can’t see the rust spots.
Remove any of the little bits off the blade. Place a small dab of the metal polish on your rag and rub it on the blade in small circles. Be careful not to get too close to the edge and cut your rag or your finger.
Rub the polish until it’s nice and shiny. And there you have it.
VINEGAR METHOD
The vinegar method is a simple technique that you can use with just a few household items. All you’ll need is a bowl, some cleaning vinegar or white vinegar, a sponge, and a little dish soap for the end.
Ensure your bowl is big enough to fit the entire blade. You’ll need to submerge the blade in the vinegar. Leave it soaking in the vinegar for about 20 to 30 minutes. If you’ve got a nasty case of rust, try leaving it in longer, like overnight.
Once it’s done soaking, take the blade out and scrub it with the sponge to get all the rust off.
When it looks clean, wash it with dish soap and water, and then dry it off. Make sure it is completely dry when you’re finished.
HOW TO CLEAN A RUSTY KNIFE WITH BAKING SODA
This is another simple method with some things around the house. Grab some baking soda, a bowl, and a sponge.
Mix some baking soda and water in the bowl until you have a paste. Place the paste on the knife, mainly on the rust spots, and let it sit for an hour.
Take your sponge and scrub the rust spots until they clear. Once that’s done, rinse the knife and dry it.
HOW TO CLEAN A RUSTY KNIFE WITH THE POTATO METHOD
This one sounds like a strange one but hear us out. Grab a potato, some salt, and dish soap.
You’ll start by slicing the potato in half. Take one of the halves and put some dish soap on the end. Sprinkle a bit of salt. (You can also use baking soda.) Scrub the blade with the potato. Scrub until the rust stains are gone.
Rinse and dry thoroughly.
As we’ve seen, many methods exist to remove rust from a knife. There are also many causes for corrosion. It’s best to stay on top of your blade by keeping it clean and dry.
