Rust on Metal Table: Ask Annie

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/rust-on-metal-table-ask-annie.html

posted by Annie B. Bond Sep 15, 2008 6:00 pm

filed under: Blogs, Ask Annie, Household Hints, cream of tartar, milk, rust, table

3 comments

Hi Annie! Do you have any tips for removing rust from a metal table? –Julianne, NY

Dear Julianne,

Nice to hear from you! The old folk formulas rave about cream of tartar as the best choice to remove rust. Just make a thick paste of cream of tartar and water and rub it onto the metal table. (Note to spot test if the metal table is painted.) Let the mixture set on the rust for a few hours, keeping the paste damp, before rinsing. I hope it helps! Another tip for removing rust is milk, also an acid, but I am not sure pouring milk on the table will remove the rust unless you can let it pool over the rust, which depends on where the rust is found.

Good luck.

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Karrol Nicoletto says
Jul 8, 2009 5:20 PM

does anyone know about" painted ,rusted,wrought iron,that has been abused by animal urine,"
how do I go about restoring to use by family.

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Laura Potaca says
Sep 24, 2008 9:09 PM

Oxalic acid is great at getting rid of rust, and you can buy it at the hardware store. Used car places use it to clean rust spots off older cars. Oxalic acid is a natural product (or it can be), and it is found in swiss chard and spinach. It sticks to metal ions, like calcium and iron, and "chelates" them, which helps remove rust spots.

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Lorie Smith says
Sep 17, 2008 4:31 PM

if you use the shinny side of reynolds wrap aluminum foil, it also will take off deep rust and leave your metal very shiny.

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Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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