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Published 23/06/2026

How to clean rust off kitchen knives and cutlery

It‘s natural and very normal for rust to develop across stainless steel, especially on kitchen knives and cutlery. So, if this happens to your knives and cutlery, it‘s nothing to worry about as rust can be easily removed as well as prevented with a few best practices.

Before removing the rust, it‘s also important to understand why the rusting has occurred in the first place. Rust typically develops because of left over moisture when cleaning and drying. Moisture has to linger for long periods of time for rust to appear which is usually caused by air drying.

How to prevent rust from appearing on your kitchen knives and cutlery

We’ve already discussed why rust occurs, but how do you prevent it from happening? The best way to stop rust is to regularly clean your stainless steel knives and cutlery with dish soap and warm water while also ensuring that they are completely dried. Leaving your knives and cutlery to air dry in sinks, dish racks and dishwashers for long periods of time can erode the metal’s protective barrier, causing rust to develop. We recommend drying immediately and storing them properly for added safety.

As well as avoiding air drying, we also recommend applying a thin coating of mineral oil or cooking oil to the blade as well as avoiding abrasive sponges like steel wool scrubbers.

How to clean rust off stainless steel knives and cutlery

If rust does unfortunately develop on your kitchen knife or cutlery set, there are a few simple remedies for you to try depending on the severity of the rust.

Light rust (surface rust)

If your knife has light rust, also known as surface rust, we recommend the following steps:

  1. Soak the knife or cutlery in white vinegar or lemon juice for 5-10 minutes. This helps to dissolve the rust.

  2. Gently scrub the affected areas with a soft sponge, cloth or brush. Avoid using anything abrasive as this can cause damage.

  3. Rinse with warm, soapy water and dry immediately and thoroughly.

Heavier rust (pitting)

For heavier rusting, we recommend the following steps:

  1. Make a paste using baking soda and a small amount of water.

  2. Apply the paste to the rusted areas and start to scrub gently. If the rust spots are being stubborn, consider using a fine steel wool to gently scrub away the rust.

  3. Rinse with warm, soapy water and dry thoroughly to avoid further rusting.

The best way to avoid rust is by drying your cutlery and knives straight after cleaning them. By applying a light coating of cooking oil or mineral oil as this can seal the pores of the steel, making it more resistant to water spots, etc. Proper upkeep for cutlery and knives can save you money on premature replacements and ensures a sanitary meal prep and dining experience.

We also recommend learning how to sharpen your knife for general knife care and upkeep as this can improve meal prep efficiency and safety.

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