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Last Updated on August 9, 2021
Rust is a serious problem and it can cause damage and decrease the lifespan of your knives. Rust is an oxidation process that happens when metal reacts with water or oxygen. The most common places for corrosion are at the joints where two pieces of metal come together. If you don’t take care of the problem, it will only get worse. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution: baking soda!
Baking soda is a household product that you might not know can be used for more than just baking. It also removes rust from knives. The process of using baking soda to remove rust from knives is fairly simple; all you need is to follow some simple steps. Keep reading to know about the steps.
Why do knives rust?
According to thoughtco.com, another name of rust is iron oxide that you see growing on the metal. Knife blades can rust because there is always something nearby that contains enough moisture to cause oxidation. The most obvious culprits include:
If you leave your knives out in the rain, then eventually they’ll get wet. Even if you don’t use them right after getting home, they’re still going to sit around until the weather changes again. Air or oxygen is also responsible for getting rust on knives. An old toolbox which you haven’t opened for a long time, there are possibilities to get rust.
Low-quality knives can’t resist rust and corrosion, so you must go for high-quality knives brands like Dalstrong, Wusthof and Shun, etc. A rusted knife can be very dangerous and useless.
Process of removing rust from knives with Baking Soda
There are many ways to remove rust from knives but, if you are searching for the easiest way, then we will recommend using baking soda. Baking soda will make the knives new within a short time with less effort. Baking soda is not only used to remove rust from knives. It also works well for removing stains such as blood, grease, ink, etc.
Removing rust from knives is not very tricky. Just follow these steps:
Clean your knife
The first thing that you’ll need to do is clean the knife properly, especially the blade of the knife. You must do this task because the dirt can be an obstruction when the removal of rust. You can clean your knife by using water or any cleaning solution and then dry it with a cloth.
Create a paste with Baking Soda
To create a paste with baking soda, you need to put a fair amount of baking soda into the bowl and add some water (you can also use lemon juice). Stir it up and make the paste thick. When the paste becomes thick, you’re almost done with this process.
Scrub the knife with a toothbrush
Now you’re ready for the actual knife cleaning. Apply your toothbrush into the paste that you had made in the previous step. Then properly scrub the blade of your knife with the brush. Remember, the better you rub, the sooner you can get rid of rust.
Use an abrasive sponge for extreme rust
For extreme rust, the above process will not be enough. In this case, you need to use an abrasive sponge to clean the blade of your knife. Abrasive sponges are a great way to remove rust and corrosion from your knives with minimal effort. They allow you to scrub away at the rust without damaging the blade. Steel wool can also be used but it has a bad side too. If you scrub too hard, it can mess up your blade.
Wait for a while and then clean your knife
Let sit for about 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly under running tap water. The baking soda will absorb all the junk while leaving behind no residue at all. Take your blade out of its sheath or holder and wipe off any excess oil that may have accumulated on the surface. Then apply the baking soda mixture directly onto the metal surface using a clean cloth. In the end, clean off the excess baking powder with a cloth and make your knife dry.
How to Prevent Your Knives from getting rusty
Usually, it is not easy to prevent knives from getting rusty. Only proper care is not enough to get rid of rust. You can try some tips that might be helpful for knives. The tips are given below:
- Always make your knives dry after using them.
- Wash your hands before touching your knives.
- After cutting vegetables and meat, your knives must be cleaned.
- Keep your knives free from dirt.
- Take out the knives from the old toolbox and keep then in a safe place.
FAQ’s
Is Baking Soda safe to use?
Yes, it’s completely safe. However, do not leave it unattended. Use only after reading instructions carefully. Do not use it near fire/heat sources.
Can you use Vinegar instead of Baking Soda?
If you just want to clean the blade, a vinegar soak will work. But if you want to remove stains or rust, you should use baking soda. Vinegar is an acidic solution that can be used to clean knives; however, it won’t do anything for rust or stains on blades. Baking soda, on the other hand, has oxygen crystals that help break down grease and remove tough stains and rust spots.
What is the natural removal method?
If you don’t have enough materials to remove the rust then there have some alternative options. You can use the following removal methods:
- Potato method
- Onion method
- Dirt method
Conclusion
You may want to try this method of removing rust from knives in order to save money and get the best results. This is a chemical-free, inexpensive way that you can use at home without having to worry about getting your hands dirty or using harsh chemicals.
After you’ve given your knives a good scrub with baking soda, rinse them off and dry them. The last step is to apply some mineral oil or any type of cooking oil (vegetable, olive) onto the blade of each knife before storing it away in its sheath with the other utensils. This will help prevent rust from occurring again on the blades which should keep your kitchen knives looking shiny for years.