How to remove rust from iron skillet?

To remove rust from a cast iron skillet, start by sprinkling a small amount of baking soda and water on the pan, then use a rag to scour away the rusty spots. You can also use a paste of salt and water to scrub away the rust. Then, rinse and thoroughly dry the pan with a paper towel. read more

Remove all the rust: Use fine steel wool to remove rust from affected areas. Scour the skillet until the area returns to raw cast iron. Wash the skillet thoroughly: Wash the cast iron with warm water and mild dish soap. read more

If you're dealing with cast-iron rust, you can breathe a sigh of relief. First of all, you're not screwed. You can save that pan (that's excellent news for this writer). Here's how to bring your rusty cast-iron skillet back from the dead. The Vinegar Soak. If the layer of rust on your pan is superficial (meaning it's just on the surface, like the picture at the top of this page), you can probably skip this step and go right on to scrubbing. read more