Basically, rust is iron oxide which is formed when iron reacts with atmospheric oxygen. The reaction occurs when moisture is present in the air. Rust has a tendency to erode the iron. It can even cause damage to other materials in its surroundings. For instance, if rust is formed on the plumbing pipes of your home, it can erode the piping material so much that a hole is created in it. The water coming out of this pipe often becomes rusty. As a result, reddish-brown or dark red stains can be found on those surfaces where the water flows. Effective Homemade Rust Removers There are several types of rust removers and cleaning products available in the market, under various brand names which are expensive and can be as toxic as the rust itself. Therefore, instead of spending money on those pricey products, it is better to use some homemade solutions for rust removal. You just need some common household items for the preparation of rust removers. Lime One of the most effective rust remover is lime. Squeeze out two to three limes into a small container. Clean the rusted item with a cloth and then apply the lime juice over it. Leave the rusted item for ten to fifteen minutes and then scrub it out with a piece of soft cloth or rag. Ketchup Tomato ketchup and washing soda when used together can remove rust. It cleans up the rust accumulated on metal furniture quite easily. Take washing soda in a spray bottle and spray it generously over the rust. Similarly, pour some tomato ketchup in another spray bottle and spread it on those areas where washing soda has been applied. Keep the solution on the furniture for at least two hours and then wash it off with warm water. Let it dry up completely before you use the furniture all over again. White Vinegar White vinegar removes rust from all kinds of machinery and equipment made of metals including your bike components. Do not use any other types of vinegar like apple cider vinegar as it tends to leave ugly stains on the surface. Fill up some white undiluted vinegar in a spray bottle and apply it over the rust layer. Let the vinegar settle on it for a couple of hours. Then rub a wire brush vigorously on the rusted surface until all the rust is removed from there. After that, rinse off with clean warm water and leave it under the sun for drying or just wipe off the water from it. Borax Borax acts as an excellent rust remover. It is mostly combined with other substances to prepare an effective homemade rust remover. In a clean bowl, mix one-quarter cup of borax, one teaspoon cream of tartar, and sufficient amount of hydrogen peroxide to prepare a thick paste. For thorough mixing of these three ingredients, take the help of a mixing rod. Apply this paste on the rust spots in the form of a uniform thick layer. Keep it untouched for half an hour or so. Then wipe it off by rubbing a damp sponge and you will find the rust is gone. Alternatively, you can use borax along with lemon juice. Add one-fourth cup of borax and half cup of lemon juice in a bowl. Mix the two ingredients well to make a thick solution. Pour the solution on the rusted surface evenly and leave it like that for almost half an hour. If the rust is a stubborn one, you can keep it for some more time. Finally, wipe it out with a rag and you will get a rust-free surface. The best part of borax as a rust remover is that it is not harsh on the surface where it is used. If you do not have borax at home, you can use baking soda. These homemade rust removers can be used for metals, plastic, and clothing materials. After the first application, if some of the rust stains are left behind, then repeat the treatment once or twice. The ingredients used for rust removal are absolutely safe for the kids and pets living in the house. However, while handling them, you should wear gloves as some of the components can irritate the skin.