How to Remove Rust from Pots and Pans
If you want to remove rust from pots and pans, use a gentle abrasive, like salt, that will scrape up the rust without damaging the metal. To scrape off the rust, cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of salt and scrub it in using a brown paper bag until the rust is lifted off. Alternatively, soak the pan overnight in a solution of water and lemon juice or vinegar to weaken the rust. Then, use a lemon rind to gently scrub away the rust. For bigger patches, opt for steel wool.
Gather up table salt and a brown paper bag. The salt acts as a gentle abrasive, helping you to easily scrape up the rust without damaging the pan. Pour the salt in the rusted pan. Pour enough to lightly cover the area you need to rub off with a thin coating. Scour it with the brown paper. If the salt gets really rusty, dispose of it and add fresh salt. Season the pan to avoid future rust. Pan seasoning is especially important for cast-iron pans , as it protects them and makes them easier to cook and clean in the future. To season the pan, pour 1 to 2 Tbsp (15 to 30 ml) of vegetable oil or melted shortening into the pan, then spread it around using a paper towel to coat the entire pan. If the pan is oven-safe, bake it for 1 hour at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. If the pan is not oven-safe, heat the oil in the pan on the stovetop until it smokes. Once cool, rub the oil into the pan using another clean paper towel. Use steel wool to remove thin layers of rust from most pans. If your cookware isn't stainless steel, try scouring the rust off with fine steel wool. Use a little bit of dish soap when scrubbing. This can prevent major scratching to your pan. Use gentle scrubs, like Bar Keeper's Friend, for stainless steel. If steel wool is unavailable or your cookware is stainless steel, try scouring the rust off with Bar Keepers Friend and a plastic scrubby. Use all-natural scrubs for any pan, rubbing hard to remove the rust. If you need a more natural or earth-conscious solution, try the following scouring options that our ancestors used to scour off rust: Horsetail Rush- plants in genus Equisetum. A paste made from equal parts lemon juice and cream of tartar. Fine-grained sand (not on stainless steel though). Cut the potato in half. Any potato will do. This method is gentle, but is only suitable for thin, surface-level rust marks. Coat the potato in baking soda. Place potato cut side down in some baking soda to coat the flat side lightly with baking soda. You can pour a little bit of baking soda on a plate dip the potato in as it rubs off. If you don't have baking soda, some people say the plain potato will work, or you can use the potato with a little bit of dishwashing liquid on it. Rub the cut side of the potato on the rusted item to remove rusty areas. Rinse pan to remove loosened rust. When the potato gets too smooth to remove any more rust, cut off a thin slice of potato and go back to step two.  Repeat steps 2-5 as needed to remove all rust. Again, this is only suitable for thin layers of rust. If you have serious issues, return to one of the earlier methods. Use gentle acids to remove rust. You can soak pans or pots overnight in an acidic solution to weaken the rust, then remove it later.  Some options include: Baking Soda and water Vinegar Lemon juice. Soak the pan overnight in the acidic solution. You can mix in a little water too to cut the acidity. Add 1-2 tablespoons of salt for even better results. Scrub the rust in the morning. You can use steel wool for bigger patches of rust, but a lemon rind is one of the best scrubs you can use for gentle washing. Repeat again if there is any more loose. Be sure to rinse the pan out between soakings, however, as the vinegar could damage the finish if left on for too long. 
Gather up table salt and a brown paper bag. Pour the salt in the rusted pan. Scour it with the brown paper. Season the pan to avoid future rust. Use steel wool to remove thin layers of rust from most pans. Use gentle scrubs, like Bar Keeper's Friend, for stainless steel. Use all-natural scrubs for any pan, rubbing hard to remove the rust. Cut the potato in half. Coat the potato in baking soda. Rub the cut side of the potato on the rusted item to remove rusty areas. When the potato gets too smooth to remove any more rust, cut off a thin slice of potato and go back to step two. Repeat steps 2-5 as needed to remove all rust. Use gentle acids to remove rust. Soak the pan overnight in the acidic solution. Scrub the rust in the morning. Repeat again if there is any more loose. 