I love having stainless steel appliances! But you would think that stainless steel would never actually stain… but it does! Leaving that pan soaking in your sink for too long can take its toll. I learned this the hard day, when one day I found a rust stain in my new sink. I’ve tried scrubbing it with dish soap, with all purpose cleaner, with granite cleaner, and just about everything in my arsenal. Until I finally found something that did the trick- and in under 10 seconds!
When I saw this solution from Passionate Penny Pincher, I thought it was too good to be true. No way it could be that easy after all the time I’ve spent scrubbing!
But it turns out… it was the perfect solution! I always say that green cleaning products should be simple, and this method proves that to a t! I’m guessing you usually have baking soda in your home, right? And usually a lemon or two in the fridge? Well then you’re all set!
To remove rust stains from stainless steel, all you need is half (or less) of a lemon and a tablespoon or two of baking soda. If the stains are really big, you might need more, but I used about one tablespoon. Just pour it out right on top of the stain.
Then just turn the lemon over to its cut side, and scrub the baking soda in. When I did this, I checked after a few seconds to see how much more rubbing I needed to do. But the stain was already gone! In less than 5 seconds.
How could it possibly be that easy??!!
How to remove rust stains from stainless steel
Ingredients
- 1/2 lemon
- 1-2 tablespoons baking soda
Instructions
- Pour the baking soda out on top of the stain
- Using the cut side of the lemon, scrub away on the spot
- Be amazed!
I’m sorry the stain doesn’t show up better in the photo… I am always so excited to rush into projects that I don’t always take amazing before photos. But just look at the area with the arrow and you can see the little stain that was bugging me for over a month!
I know I keep acting all amazed by this solution, but it really is amazing. It’s green, inexpensive, easy, and effective. Just as all my favorite cleaning solutions usually are.
Who knew these two little ingredients were such a powerhouse together! They blew me and my scrubbing arm out of the water.
The baking soda has the perfect amount of gentle abrasiveness while the lemon has great acidity and the right texture for scrubbing the stain. It was love at first scrub.
I love looking at my clean sink! Now I can admire and appreciate it without noticing the little flaw of a rust stain that was stuck there before.
Let me know how this method to remove rust stains from stainless steel goes for you! I would love to see your before and after pictures, just send them to me!
Betty says
Am so happy to have you back. Am going to try the stainless steel rust spot solution. Thanks oodles.
Natasha says
does this work on all stainless? fridge, stove, microwave etc?
Susie says
I’ve only used it on my sink because that’s where I’ve had rust stains, but it should apply to all stainless steel.
Jessica says
Thank you for this. I didn’t have lemon but did have expired lemon juice in fridge. It removed accumulated hard water stains up from my old stainless sink real nice!
Amanda says
I tried this on my job but it didn’t quite work… Quite a lot of elbow grease and the stains are still visible :(
Susie says
I’m sorry! It has worked for me most of the time but occasionally it will take something else to get it off.