rust removal It can be an utter pain — esp. baking sheet. However, you can simplify the process by using potatoes, a basic root vegetable you already have in your kitchen. Soaking sliced spuds in dish soap and rubbing them on a baking sheet is a quick and easy way to clean your pan. First, cut the spud in half to expose the inside. Then soak one end in dish soap. However, you can also use baking soda if you prefer. If you want full root coverage, try using both at the same time. Or, for an extra scrubbing effect, add a little salt to the potatoes soaked in dish soap. This acts as an exfoliant to scrub away the rust.
Then, simply slide the spud over the rusted area of the baking sheet and press down firmly to scrape away the dirt. If the cleaning agent (soap, salt, or baking soda) rubs off the edges of the potatoes, slice them and soak them again. When you’re done using it, you’ll want to rinse the sheet and let it dry completely right away, but it’s really easy to wash rust off baking sheets.
read more: 23 types of potatoes and their appropriate season
Why potatoes can remove rust
How exactly does this process work? Potatoes contain oxalic acid, which is surprisingly good at breaking down rust. In fact, this acid is sometimes sold by itself (usually in crystalline form) as a cleaning agent designed to remove rust. When the two come into contact, a double displacement reaction occurs. This turns the rust into iron oxalate, which can be easily washed away with water. Old potatoes are fine here, but if you have sweet potatoes on hand, you’re really in luck. Because this sweet potato contains even more oxalic acid.
Using potatoes may be one of the easiest and cheapest ways to remove rust from your baking sheets, but it’s not the only way. A common option is to leave the baking soda mixture on it for up to 30 minutes. Other methods include using citric acid (which you may have to make a special trip to buy) or using a mixture of lemon and salt (which may have to sit for a whopping two hours). ). However, if you already have spuds on hand and don’t have much time, try this method before using other ingredients (or stronger cleaning solutions).
