With the spring season here, gardeners are already excited to organise summer barbecues. Most of the garden furniture is packed during the winter, and now is the time to get rid of all the dust.
However, a unique cleaning tip has surfaced that saves people both time and money when it comes to tackling rust. Many garden chairs, tables, and barbecues fall prey to damp weather, resulting in unsightly rust spots over time. A smart trick shared by Mrs Hinch’s dedicated cleaning community suggests an easy, chemical-free method to banish rust—and it only costs a few quid, reports Leicestershire Live.
The method was posted on a Facebook group devoted to cleaning advice, inspired by social media cleaning star Sophie Hinchliffe, more commonly known as Mrs Hinch. The solution is made by using tomato ketchup and crumpled tin foil.
One user took to one of many Mrs Hinch-inspired groups asking for advice on how to remove rust from the base of her metal stools that were used in an outdoor bar area, reports The Mirror.
After seeking advice, she was flooded with suggestions. One fellow cleaning fan shared their success with a similar dilema, they said: “Tomato sauce and scrunched-up tin foil. Used it on mine. Removed the rust and didn’t scratch the metal.”
The original poster later provided an update, surprised by how well the method worked. They said: “Today I tried ketchup and tin foil, and it worked.
“I have to admit I was sceptical, but you were all right, and I was wrong. And, as somebody asked, it didn’t scratch the chrome.”
The tin foil and ketchup method was hailed as a “game changer” by another member of the group, who said: “I use this on my bathroom towel rail which was gross, vinegar didn’t make any difference this is much better.”
The key ingredient is the acetic acid in tomato sauce, which reacts with copper oxide to dissolve rust. Meanwhile, crumpled tin foil serves a practical role by creating light friction, effectively lifting rust without harming the surface.
To use this method, apply a generous amount of tomato sauce over the rust stains with a paintbrush and let it sit for around 20 minutes, allowing the acid to work.
Next, gently scrub the area using scrunched-up tin foil, moving in circular motions. Once finished, wipe the surface clean with a soft, soapy cloth and ensure it is thoroughly dried.