Rusts are a product of a chemical reaction known as oxidation which occurs when metals react with water.
This reaction can be through the presence of water in the air, and this usually appears as reddish-brown sediment on metals.Rusts usually reduce the ability of knives to cut and carry out other kitchen activities.
It is important to note that rusts are generally a product of improper management which can occur as a result of exposure to materials (reagents) that cause corrosion.
It has been scientifically proven that there are so many ways to remove rusts form knives, there are natural and synthetic materials or substances that can help in the removal of these rusts from the surface of the metal.
Some of the materials used in the removal of rusts from knives are Vinegar, Baking soda, Lemon, Salt, Potato, Dish soap, Citric acid, Steel wool or Wash brush and Protective gloves.
The two methods involve in the removal of rusts are listed and explained below. The two methods used in the removal of rusts are:
- Use of natural materials and
- Use of synthetic materials
Use of Natural materials: This involves the use of materials is it a plant that occurs naturally. Some food crops such as potatoes are believed to have the ability to remove rust stains from metals.
The juice of lemon have also been found to be of great help, and the cleaning process is carried out by the lemon juice.
So you should cut the lemon and squeeze out the lemon to clean the rust away from the knives surface after soaking for some minutes.
In the use of these methods, there may need to add some constituents such as water or salt depending on the material involved.
Use of Synthetic materials: This is the most common method of rust removal of which the use of vinegar is highest.
Substances such as Vinegar, baking soda and other products. The cleaning process using the materials are as follows:
- Use of Vinegar: Get a bowl filled with vinegar which can obtain the rusted knives that you want to clean and soak the knives.
- The knives should be allowed to sit for hours, preferably overnight to ease the removal of these rusts.
- If after cleaning, some of the rusts persist, it is important that you soak over again, now for a long time then scrub to remove the stain. Upon removal, proper care should be given to the knives.
- Use of Baking soda: Baking soda is a great remover of rusts. These rusts can be removed by the mixing of the baking soda with water and made to form a paste.
- The paste formed is therefore spread over the metal surface for about an hour or more and a hard metal is used to remove the paste on the surface of the metal.
- This type of method can be used for any rust that is not so hard to remove.
The methods mentioned above will serve you well in the removal of rusts.
However, upon removal, it is important that you take proper care of these knives as it will help to sustain the life of the knife and it will automatically prolong its useful life.