Can vinegar be used to remove rust?

White vinegar can be used to remove rust by soaking the metal in the vinegar for several hours, then brushing off the rust residue. The vinegar and rust react with each other to help dissolve the rust from the metal.

For bigger objects, pour vinegar over the top of the metal or apply it with a rag. To avoid scrubbing the metal, allow the object to soak in the vinegar for 24 hours. Other home products that work to remove rust are lime and salt, baking soda, a potato and dish soap, and oxalic acid. Store-bought materials, such as rust converter, a chemical remover or citric acid are also effective in removing rust from objects.