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How to Remove Rust from a Kitchen Knife

How to Remove Rust from a Kitchen Knife

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In the culinary arsenal, people always face the problem of their knives being rusted. Average people blame the brand or shop they have bought the knife from. If you have a steel knife, rust will appear because it is a natural phenomenon. When iron and oxygen react to moisture, rust takes place. If your steel knife is rusting, it’s because not been taken care of properly. We all wash our knives with a dishwasher and just leave them on that shelf. Also we must pass it by hand and wipe it dry after cleaning it.

We will talk in this article about how we can take care of our knives which will help us not to get rust in the knife. After that, we will explain How to remove Rust from Knife. There will be some homemade and effective tips.

It is important to take care of your knives and use it properly. And do not worry if your favourite knife gets rust; now we are going to dig into the most effective way to rust off your favourite kitchen knife.

Is rust harmful to health?

There are two opinions that rust is harmful to health or not. Rust in steel is not detrimental to health if the rust gets knife while the knife is in proper space. Rust is detrimental to health if the rust gets to the knife while it is in contact with soil.

On the other hand, normally, rust is not harmful to health because it is not a toxic substance. Rust gets for oxidation of iron. You can use a rusty knife for cutting food, and you can also use rusty another ingredient. It is not bad for our health, but also our body needs iron, and it’s quite good for our health. So, no worry about using a rusty knife. But it does not look good, and you don’t want rust in your knife; you will find all the information in this article.

What Causes Knives to Rust?

No one likes orange oxide to get over their steel knife. But for this, the culprit is the environment and us who don’t use our knives properly. After using a steel knife, wash it and leave it not wiped off, which is the main reason for the rust. This happens on our regular day in the kitchen. Also, not using the knife for a long time and leave in the dirt can cause rust in steel knives, too. Because of iron and oxygen, they made some moisture, creating rust in steel.

5 Effective Ways to Get Rust off Kitchen Knives?

Some effective homemade methods and some ready-to-use products are available in the market. Combining homemade ways and products from the market, you will find the five most effective ways and elements to remove rust from your knives. Let’s know about them and apply them to your favourite kitchen knives.

1. Using White vinegar

An old and effective method is using vinegar to remove rust from steel. here is step by step-

  • Take a bowl and pour some warm vinegar on it.
  • Soak the knife in the bowl for 15-30 minutes.
  • Rub it out from the bowl with a soft cloth, then wash it in water and wipe it dry.

The acetic acid from the vinegar will help get rid of steel rust.

Tip- You can wrap the knife with a soft cloth and soak it in vinegar. It can help keep the knife with vinegar and be more effective.

2. Using Baking Soda

Using baking soda to get rid of rust is a homemade method. Here are step by step-

  • Make a thick paste of baking soda mixed with water.
  • Spread the past the places of the knife with rust.
  • Leave it with that paste for about one hour.
  • Rub the blade with a soft cloth or sponge until the rust comes out.
  • Wash it with detergent and water. After washing, don’t forget to wipe it dry.

Water and baking soda mixing paste produce carbon dioxide bubbles. They are effective in getting rid of rust from steel.

3. Using Potato

The Potato method is the easiest method to get off the rust from your knife. All you need is a potato. Here are the steps-

  • Take a potato and cut it in half.
  • Rub the blade with the potato in the rust spot in your knife.
  • Leave it with the sticking potato for at least 1-2 hours. Sprinkle some baking soda on it for better results.
  • Remove the crust with a soft cloth or sponge and wash it with water. After washing, dry it with clothes.

The oxalic acid in the potato reacts with rust and helps to get rid of the steel.

4. Polishing with abrasives

You can take any kind of abrasives to remove rust. If you are using any powder abrasives, make sure to we the knife fist. 

If you are about to use cream abrasives, you do not need to wet your knife; use it eventually.

Try to use fine grit abrasive to get rid of rust easily. Like use a wine’s cork and rub it in the affected spot.

After removing the rust, wash it and dry it with a soft cloth.

5. Using rust-removing rubber

In the market there are rust rust-removing rubber can be found easily. It is very effective to get rid of rust from knives. Just take it and scrub it in an affected spot in the knife. You will see them come out easily with the rubber.

How can we take care of our knives to not get rust in the knife?

It is some easy steps that can keep your steel knife rust-free. You just have to keep that in mind and maintain,

  1. Animals’ fat or acid from vegetables also can cause rust. After using the knife, wash it properly with detergent and clean it with water.
  2. Getting in touch with water and leaving it without wiping is the main reason knivesrusts arrive early. So after washing, pat it dry.
  3. Always leave your knife in a clean and open space. It helps to keep the knife rust-free.

Random steps can give you a nice-looking knife for a long time.