Cheap ways to remove rust stains without buying CLR
Specialty rust removers like CLR cost too much for small household items like salt grinders. People skip using them because buying expensive cleaners makes throwing the item away cheaper than fixing it.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Soaking in double strength vinegar
- 2Leaving it alone as vinegar promotes rust
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
r/CleaningTips2 people · September 2026
“I honestly dont want to put a lot of money into it because then I’d rather just bin it (heh).”source ↗
AgitatedBloatyBomb · r/CleaningTips · 12 upvotes
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 5How to fix dull spots left on metal legs after removing rust
- 13How to get marinara sauce stains out of rubber mats
- 12How to get rusted or tight exterior nails out when hammers don't fit
- 8How to get pet bowl stains out of the floor before moving out
- 41How to get stubborn makeup out of white clothes
- 10How to get burnt popcorn stains out of a microwave