Sometimes the simplest things in life are the most rewarding. This is not one of those epic posts that will change your life…how to get rust spots off silverware isn’t a question that will keep you up at night. However, when I was working on a tablescape for my DIY Linen Napkin post, I nearly died when I saw nasty rust spots on my blue handled flatware. Every single knife was a mess. I knew I needed something with a bit of grit in it to remove the spots, but it couldn’t be abrasive. The first thing that came to mind was baking soda. I used it when I was cleaning out cupboards and organizing my baking zone. It took stuck-on gunk off one of the cupboards without ruining the paint.
All I did was dump a little baking soda in a small bowl and add water. I wanted a paste consistency. If you add too much water, adjust by adding more baking soda. I used my fingers and gently rubbed the paste on the blade of the knives. They all became shiny and perfectly rust-free.
File this little tip away (or better yet, pin it!) because you never know when it might come in handy.
See you soon!
Ana Sofia says
Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at 3:05 pmHello Ann
Do you think that it will work with stainless steel surfaces?
Ann Drake says
Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at 5:25 pmHi Ana Sofia! My apologies for totally missing this question. I am trying so hard to get caught up and found this in my saved email. Yes I think baking soda paste would work on other stainless steel surfaces. Just try it on a small spot first. It’s non-abrasive so I think it would be fine. Again, I’m sorry to be so late in answering…Ann
Susan Copeman says
Thursday, April 3, 2014 at 8:04 pmWhat is that charger under your blue tablescape? It is lovely!
Ann Drake says
Friday, April 4, 2014 at 8:28 amIts a wood charger from Pier 1. I got six for Christmas from my daughter. You will love them!
debbiedoos says
Friday, March 21, 2014 at 11:34 amThat is awesome and I will try it. Thank you Ann for sharing your genius!
Yvonne @ StoneGable says
Friday, March 21, 2014 at 8:27 amThanks Ann! The baking soda is a great idea and will be gentle of my flatware! Pinning! Let’s talk soon! xo
Nancy Langston says
Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 5:38 pmThank you! Just saw this problem on my flatware and didn’t know what I would use to fix the problem. I’ll try this asap! :)
mila [email protected]'s milieu says
Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 5:08 pmI was just staring at the big bag of Baking soda at Costco this morning, thinking I should grab it. I will have to go back for it! I got hooked on using vinegar for cleaning around the house last year and couldn’t be happier. Adding baking soda to the list!
Marianne in Mo. says
Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 11:31 amGlad to see we think alike. I use baking soda and/or vinegar as a first try for any cleaning job. Do you know the one about cleaning silver with aluminum foil and vinegar? That’s a good one too, but you must have patience!
I want to tell you thanks for the Starbucks Lemon Loaf recipe! I made it on Monday after searching and weeding thru many others. I have to say, it was so close to the real thing, at least as I remember from having it over a year ago! I am not a Starbucks fanatic, but had a coupon for a free baked item, and that was what I got with it. Hope you don’t mind if I share it with a friend or two!
Ann Drake says
Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 7:31 pmGlad you liked the Lemon Loaf!
[email protected] Doodles says
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 9:25 pmGreat tip, Ann. It stumps me that the knives always get rust spots, but I never see any on the other utensils. I wonder why that is….
Ann Drake says
Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 7:32 pmNo idea Shelia but you are right. It’s only the knives!
Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 9:15 pmI would never have tried the baking soda, Ann! Thanks for this tip! Pinning!
Faye says
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 8:46 pmThanks for the tip for cleaning flatware! Do you happen to know a current source for the blue handled flatware? I can’t find a source for the blue… and prices and quality seem to vary considerably.
Ann Drake says
Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 2:35 pmMine was a gift from my daughter and she got it on amazon.com. Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FPXCT6?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393185&creativeASIN=B000FPXCT6&linkCode=shr&tag=onsutpla-20&qid=1395344041&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=gingko+navy+blue+flatware
I’ve had it over a year and am very happy with it…all except for the rust marks! ~Ann
JP says
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 7:19 pmWhat a great tip…pinned it! Thanks for passing ti on!
JP
Jill Flory says
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 7:09 pmGreat tip! Baking soda and white vinegar are my 2 go-to cleaners for getting the unsightly stuff off!
[email protected] designs says
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 6:31 pmWhat a great tip…never knew that a simple paste of baking soda and water will do the trick!!!
Donnamae says
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 4:52 pmGreat tip…thanks! ;)
Jan says
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 4:40 pmThat’s treasure of a tip – Thanks!
Grace @ sense and simplicity says
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 4:27 pmSee now that is life changing information. I have the same problem and it drives me crazy when I’m setting the table for a nice meal or for guests. I have tried rubbing them with a damp tea towel, but never with baking soda (and I’m a big believer in baking soda’s magic too). Doh! Thanks for the tip.
Joanne Boulter says
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 4:19 pmi love your dishes. i use to have the whole set in the 70’s. Love love them. My Son said that he wanted the set as a memory of our family because we ate on them every day. So I packed them up and gave them to him (dummest thing that I ever did). He and his family moved and he gave them to a second hand store. I cry for them!
Keep yours safe!
Sincerely, Joanne
Jan McF says
Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 8:31 amSometimes I give away things like that and say give it back if you don’t want it anymore! So sad!
Ann Drake says
Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 7:34 pmOh Joanne I’m sorry about your dishes…that breaks my heart! I will guard mine with my life. lol!
deb catmandu says
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 3:56 pmThanks so much!! I also had flatware that needed some cleaning up…I don’t know what happens in the dishwasher, but I always seem to have knives with those rust spots, too! Pinning now…
Kim says
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 12:50 pmNice to know. I don’t know why those show up in the first place.
Bliss says
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 12:36 pmI may not always comment but sometimes the voices say I’ve just gotta. This is one of those times. So darn simple and I have tried cleaning products without luck. Who knew!…and while neither of us will save the rain forest with this revelation we will certainly have good looking flatware.
Dawn says
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 11:00 amThanks for the tip Ann, I have been wanting new flatware for just that reason. I will give it a try before I purchase new. :)
Carolyn says
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 9:59 amI have a few pieces that need some TLC. Thanks for the tip.