How to Remove Rust From Metal Furniture With 8 Methods

Metal furniture is durable and sturdy, but it is easily affected by environmental factors such as humidity and air, leading to rust. Rusted metal will reduce the beauty and lifespan of the item. If you're wondering how to remove rust from metal furniture, the good news is that there are many natural and effective methods you can apply right at home. In this article, Flowyline will introduce 8 simple and easy to do methods to remove rust from metal furniture. The methods will help you restore the shine to your favorite items without having to use toxic chemicals. Follow along below!

Methods to Remove Rust from Metal Furniture

There are several effective methods to eliminate rust from your metal furniture. When learning how to remove rust from metal furniture, we recommend using natural methods before resorting to harsh chemicals. Here are 8 detailed techniques:

Method 1: Salt and Lemon

The salt does the scrubbing, while the lemon does the rust stain removal via citric acid in this natural remedy. If you're looking for an eco-friendly way of removing rust from outdoor metal furniture, follow 6 steps:

• Step 1. Lemon Juice Blast: Grab a lemon (or a few, depending on how much rust you're fighting) and squeeze that juice into a bowl. Get all that lemony goodness in there.
• Step 2. Salt Pile On: Now, dump in a good amount of salt. Don't be shy. You want a thick, gritty paste.
• Step 3. Rust Target Practice: Slather that lemon-salt mixture right onto the rusty spots. Make sure it's good and coated.
• Step 4. Soak Time: Let that stuff sit for a few hours. Think of it as marinating the rust. Give it time to work its magic.
• Step 5. Scrub-a-Dub: Grab a rough kitchen sponge, the kind that's got some grit to it. Now, scrub that mixture off. You'll see the rust coming right off with it. Put some elbow grease into it!
• Step 6. Rinse and Shine: Rinse off the remaining lemon and salt with water, and dry the furniture.

Method 2: Baking Soda

Baking soda is a versatile ingredient that is readily available in most homes and easily purchased at your local grocery store. When it comes to how to remove rust from furniture, baking soda is an effective solution for removing rust from metal surfaces. Follow 5 steps:

• First, you make a paste by mixing baking soda with water. For harder rust, use hydrogen peroxide instead of water for superior cleaning ability.
• Apply the mix gently to the rusty metal surface with a cleaning cloth.
• Leave it to work for 15-20 minutes.
• Then, scrub the area with wire wool or an abrasive scrubber until the rust particles are removed.
• Repeat the process if necessary.

Method 3: White Vinegar

How to remove rust from old metal chairs effectively? Vinegar is highly acidic and antibacterial, making it an excellent natural cleaning agent. Follow these steps:

• First, wash the rusted area with vinegar.
• Wait for 10-15 minutes, then wipe off the dissolved rust with a stiff brush or an old rag.
• For stubborn rust stains, use sandpaper to remove them better.

Method 4: Potato

Potatoes contain oxalic acid, which can dissolve rust stains on metal furniture. Follow these steps:

• Cut a potato in half.
• Apply some salt or dish soap to the cut surface.
• Rub the potato on the rusty surface to initiate a chemical reaction that weakens the rust.
• Clean the furniture with an old rag.

Method 5: Cola

Believe it or not, cola can effectively remove stubborn rust stains from metal furniture due to its carbonation properties. Follow these steps:

• Pour cola onto the rusted surface.
• Let it sit for a few minutes.
• Next, rub the surface clean with a soft cloth or sponge.
• Rinse with water to remove residue.

Method 6: Aluminium Foil

Aluminium foil can be used to clean rust from iron, stainless steel, and chromed steel. Removing rust from outdoor metal furniture is easy if you follow these steps:

• Create a mixture of salt and warm water
• Scrunch up a ball of aluminum foil and dip it in the above solution
• Rub the rusted surface to loosen the rust residue
• Rinse the surface and repeat until the rust is completely removed

Method 7: Mild Cleaning Agent

Rust can be easily removed with a mild detergent in the early stages. Follow these steps:

• Apply a suitable cleaning agent for metal surfaces onto an old rag or directly onto the rusty area.
• Gently rub the rusty surface with the cloth.
• A moment later, the rust stains will turn brownish-red and gradually come off with continuous rubbing.
• Finally, use a clean, dry cloth to wipe off.

Method 8: Commercial Rust Remover

Natural rust removal techniques are generally safe and cost-effective, making them ideal choices before considering harsher alternatives. But if you’ve tried and failed to remove stubborn rust stains, use a chemical remover.

These are harsh chemicals, so you’ll need to follow the instructions and be careful to use protective gear like gloves and goggles when handling them. They’re also quite expensive, but they deliver incredible results in a short amount of time.

Should read: How to Paint Metal Table Legs: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Remove Heavy Rust from Metal Furniture

All of the above methods are effective in certain cases. Not sure where to start? Check out how to remove rust from steel table legs right away. For those wanting to paint metal table legs, it’s vital to remove any rust before applying paint for the best results.

One of the most convenient ways to eliminate rust is to use white vinegar. Follow the steps outlined above for corroded areas. If vinegar is ineffectual, lemon juice's acidic qualities make it a viable option.

Some personal effort can frequently be enough to remove minor rust. But if the rust is very tenacious, consider using sandpaper to remove it effectively.

If you've just got a little surface rust, you can probably knock it off by hand. But for the tough stuff, sandpaper's your friend. Get a stiff brush in there, too, and scrub until it's clean. For the real problem areas, sandpaper will take care of any left over rust. Now, the key to stopping rust is prevention. First thing, clean the table legs with soapy water – get all the dirt and crud off. Then, make sure they're bone dry. Finally, a thin coat of WD-40 or a decent metal protectant will give you a good barrier and keep 'em looking good.

Why Does Furniture Rust?

Rust usually appears on metals due to contact with acids, water, oxygen, and moisture in the air. Rust forms a surface layer that is orange-brown, powdery, and sometimes pitted. If not treated promptly, it will corrode deeper, even causing holes in the surface.

Ways to Prevent Rust

We don't need to wait for the furniture to rust before finding a way to deal with it; you can learn and prevent it in advance by the following ways:

• Cover and protect: If you place a metal table or chair outdoors, cover it carefully with foil or store it in a warehouse during severe weather such as heavy rain or snowstorms. In case of rain, dry it as soon as possible with a dry towel.
• Apply protective coatings: Use metal paint or clear varnish to provide a better protective layer. Choose a waterproof, rust-proof type, such as WD40. If you are interested in rust-resistant metal products, you can refer to Flowyline's metal table legs. The smooth, matte powder coating and diverse designs are suitable for all types of spaces from classic to modern.
• Regular cleaning: There is nothing like regularly checking the condition of metal furniture. If rust is detected early, it will be much easier to handle.

Your table legs may be ruined beyond any repair method mentioned above, it would be best to consider an upgrade to another, high-standard, durable metal furniture. Flowyline offers furniture legs made of powdered-coated steel, which boast superior durability and corrosion resistance. In addition, our diverse collection of table legs and table bases will also make you proud of your aesthetic taste!

With the available suggestions and effective, quick, easy application as above, you know how to remove rust from metal furniture from now on. Sign up for our email list to receive useful home decor tips and attractive offers. If you have questions about furniture legs you can contact us by mail at customerservice@flowyline.com.