Rusty cutlery in the dishwasher is the result of rust film. How can you remove the rust stains? And how can film rust be avoided in the dishwasher?
Have you ever wondered why your knives etc. get rusty after washing? In this case we speak of flash rust. In the article we reveal how this happens and what you can do to get rid of the brown deposits and prevent them.
What is rust film?
The dishwasher is a real blessing for all of us who simply find washing dishes annoying.Just put it away, turn it on and forget it. Afterwards everything is clean and dry again and can be put back in the kitchen cupboard. Or at least it is like that in a perfect world. But sometimes the dishes and cutlery don't come out as clean as you want them to. It was a terrible surprise for me when I first discovered rust spots on my stainless steel knives. The expert determined: It is flash rust.
In contrast to real rust, flash rust is not always as bad and is easier to remove. This involves rust particles from other sources that are found on metal parts such as cutlery andDeposit pot bottoms. The flash rust is not rust in the true sense, but rather just a rusty deposit that can be effectively removed.
What causes rust film in the dishwasher?
But where does film rust actually come from in the dishwasher? The possibilities are two: either from the dishwasher itself, if some components have lost their coating, or from metal objects that are not dishwasher safe and oxidize during the wash cycle.
Rust stains due to wear and tear on the dishwasher
The dishwasher baskets are usually made of metal or wire with a plastic coating. If this coating is damaged for any reason, the metal parts will become loose and cause flash rust. This was also the case with my dishwasher. Some of the protruding parts of the basket were brittle and the wire frame underneath had already begun to rust. According to the expert, this was the reason for the rust film in the dishwasher.
Metal items can cause rust in the dishwasher
But what if the device is new and has no damage? The dishes in the dishwasher often become rusty because you put the wrong item in the basket. What many people forget is that the dishwasher is not an all-rounder. There are things that are simply not dishwasher safe and can cause problems such as flash rust. What you should definitely avoid are:
- Knives, pots and pans with metal rivets that are not made of stainless steel
- Mason jar lids
- Metal graters and sieves
- Cutlery and utensils that are not made entirely of stainless steel
Read more:What things can't go in the dishwasher??
What to do against rust film in the dishwasher?
To avoid flash rust in the dishwasher, you must first determine the cause. First, check the dishwasher when it is empty. Can you notice components without coating? Then you have found the perpetrator. To solve the problem, you can repair the damaged areas yourself without much effort. Here's how:
First, get the following:
- Cuttermesser
- Wire brush and sandpaper
- Rust converter
- high-proof alcohol
- hairdryer
- Sealants, e.g. E.g. waterproof adhesive putty, enamel paste, epoxy resin paint or hot glue
Directions:
- Cut away the damaged portions of the plastic coating to expose the wire underneath.
- Remove the rust with a wire brush and some sandpaper. Only treat the exposed wire and not the rest of the plastic jacket.
- Apply rust converter.
- Dry the area with a hairdryer.
- Treat the area with some rubbing alcohol to degrease it.
- Apply the sealant and allow it to dry.
If the rust has spread over a large area and repair is impossible, you may want to replace the baskets.
This prevents rusty cutlery etc
If the dishwasher baskets are not damaged, then the cause of rust film may lie somewhere else. Have you perhaps put a pan or knife with metal rivets in the dishwasher? These parts are often not made of stainless steel and can oxidize when combined with salt and water. The resulting rust builds up on the other metal objects in the dishwasher.
Here are some measures that can prevent the problem:
- Crumple up a piece of aluminum foil and lay it downAluminum foil ball in the cutlery basket of the dishwasher.Aluminum oxidizes faster and absorbs rust.
- Get a rust scarer. The magnet binds rust film and prevents rust stains on cutlery, pots and pans.
- Clean your dishwasher regularly and remove the dishes as soon as possible after washing.
Remove rust film: Here's how to do it with home remedies
Fortunately, flash rust is not real rust, but rather a fine layer of iron dust that looks similar to rust. This makes it much easier to remove, so you don't have to throw away the cutlery and replace it with new ones. Here are some home remedies to get knives etc. clean again.
Cola
You may already know that cola has excellent cleaning properties. The drink has manyHousehold applicationsand can also help with rust film. The phosphoric acid contained in it dissolves the rust stains and makes the cutlery shine again.
⇒ Place the affected knives, forks, etc. in a container and pour cola over them. Leave on for a few hours to overnight. Then rinse with water and the rusty deposit should be gone.
lemon juice
Don't you usually drink cola? Don't worry, because there are other methods that work well against rusty cutlery. Using lemon juice, the stains themselves can disappear in a few minutes.
⇒ Soak a cloth in some freshly squeezed lemon juice. Alternatively, you can also dissolve some citric acid in water. Then rub the rusty areas until the rust is completely removed.
Potato
You can also use a raw potato to remove rust from your pots and knives.
⇒ Halve a potato and rub the rust spots with the cut side. Alternatively, you can insert the affected cutlery into the tuber and leave it in for an hour. Then rinse with water, polish and you're done.
Also interesting:What things in the household can you clean with a potato??
cooking oil and vinegar
Yes, you read that right. The popular dressing combo is also one of the methods you can use when cleaning rust stains.
⇒ Mix one part vinegar with one part oil and use it to treat the rusty cutlery. Leave for a few hours and then polish with a soft cloth.
Conclusion
The rust film in the dishwasher is an annoying problem that can be solved in a few simple steps. If cutlery and pots come out of the machine rusty, the dishwasher baskets must be checked for damage to the coating. In addition, metal objects should not be cleaned in the dishwasher. To treat cutlery etc. that has already been affected, home remedies for rust film in the dishwasher can help. Using unconventional means such as cola, potatoes, lemons and aluminum foil, you can make stainless steel parts shine again.
Do you have mold in the dishwasher?You can do that.
