Download Article
Download Article
Wrought iron is an ornamental metal popularly used to make patio furniture, railings, shelving, and ornamental décor like wine racks and candle holders. Wrought iron can add character to both the inside and outside of your home, and it generally lasts longer than alternative materials. However, due to its slightly coarse texture, wrought iron can sometimes catch and hold extra dust and dirt, and it will inevitably rust. It’s important to regularly clean and care for your wrought iron to preserve it and keep it looking its best.
Steps
-
Clear a space to clean your item. Choose a spot either inside or outside your home that you don’t mind getting a little wet and dirty. It should be an area that you’ll be able to easily clean up once you’re finished. This will be a messy - and wet - process.
-
Fill two buckets or spray bottles with warm water. You’ll need to both wash and rinse your wrought iron. One of your buckets or spray bottles will be reserved for just rinsing, and this one will be filled with only water. Be sure that the water isn’t too hot. You don’t want it to burn your hands when you begin cleaning your item. [1] X Research source
- If you are cleaning large items such as furniture, a bucket may work best. For smaller items, a spray bottle may be more useful.
- If you are cleaning outdoor wrought iron furniture or railings, it may be easier for you to use a garden hose to rinse these items. If you have access to a hose, you’ll only need to fill one bucket with water. [2] X Research source
Advertisement -
Add soap to water. You’ll want to use a mild cleanser such as dish soap or a household cleaner to gently clean the wrought iron without damaging it. Be sure to avoid antibacterial soaps or cleansers that contain bleach.
- Add 1 tbsp. (14 mL) of soap to 1 qt. (946 mL) of water. If using a household cleaner, use 1/4 cup (59 mL) to 1/2 gallon (1892 mL) of water.
-
Use vinegar for a milder cleaning option. If you are cleaning wrought iron that is kept indoors, distilled white vinegar can be substituted for soap. For outdoor items, vinegar may not be a strong enough cleaner to remove the dirt. [3] X Research source
- Add 1/2 cup (118 mL) white vinegar to 1 ⁄ 2 gallon (1.9 L) (1892 mL) of water.
-
Remove non-wrought iron materials from your item. You want your piece to be completely bare so that nothing stands in the way of the cleaning process. Take off all cushions, pillows, and coverings.
- If your wrought iron item is made out of multiple materials, such as a bench with a wooden seat and iron sides, you may not be able to isolate the wrought iron. If this is the case, clean carefully in the places where the two materials meet. You can also try wrapping the non-wrought iron parts of your piece in plastic wrap.
-
Soak a sponge or washcloth with your cleaning solution. Don’t worry about squeezing the excess water from your sponge. You’ll want plenty of soapy water to ensure that you reach every nook and cranny of your wrought iron item. [4] X Research source
- If you are using a spray bottle, spray the sponge or cloth with your cleaning solution until it’s thoroughly dampened.
-
Remove dust and dirt with the soapy sponge. Wipe the wrought iron in a circular motion, working in small sections at a time, in order to fully clean the item. Re-dampen the sponge or cloth as necessary.
-
Rinse the wrought iron. Dip a clean sponge or cloth into your reserved bucket of water. Wipe the wrought iron again to rinse off the cleaning solution and dirt. Be sure to continue dipping the sponge or cloth in your water bucket to clean the sponge as you rinse the wrought iron. [5] X Research source
- Remember that if you are washing your wrought iron outside, it may be easier to rinse with a garden hose.
- If the water in your bucket becomes excessively dirty, you may want to dump the dirty water and refill the bucket with fresh, clean water.
-
Allow the iron to dry completely. Outdoor items may be left to dry in the sun. Indoor items should be wiped with a clean, dry cloth to remove all excess moisture. [6] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Remove rust with wire brush or sandpaper. Most wrought iron will periodically develop rust. If your item has rusty spots, immediately after cleaning the piece, file down the rust with a coarse wire brush or sandpaper. This restores your product, making it last longer and look like new. [7] X Research source
-
Attack stubborn rust with phosphoric acid. Phosphoric acid converts rust that you can’t remove into iron phosphate, which looks like a hard, black crust. You’ll need to leave the acid on the material for a full day in order for this conversion to occur. [8] X Research source
- Phosphoric acid comes in both sprays and gels. No matter which product you use, be sure to protect your hands and face from the material. Use rubber gloves, a mask, and eye protection when applying.
-
Brush away excess flakes. After the acid has had time to penetrate, you should be able to use your wire brush to get rid of the remaining rust spots. At this point, your piece should be rust free. [9] X Research source
-
Repeat the cleaning process. Now that all your rust is removed, you’ll need to re-clean the item. Repeat steps one through eight from part one. This will ensure that any tiny remnants of rust are removed.
Advertisement
-
Apply furniture or car wax. Once your item is clean and dry again, coat your piece with wax. You can use a clean, dry, soft cloth to apply the product in small circular motions, just as you did with the soapy water. The wax will protect your iron from weather and wear.
-
Let the wax dry. The wax needs to soak into the material, so you’ll have to give it ample time to dry completely. Depending on the size of your item, this may take up to eight hours, or overnight.
- If you’re cleaning outside, check the weather before you start the waxing process. You don’t want it to rain on your item before the wax is dry.
-
Buff your wrought iron. Once the wax is fully dry, use the reverse side of the soft cloth to polish the iron. Move in the same circular motions you’ve used to clean and apply wax.
-
Dust your wrought iron regularly. In order to keep your wrought iron in good condition, use a lint-free microfiber cloth or feather duster to remove dust at least once a week. This will cut down on the number of times you’ll have to fully clean or sand your items. [10] X Research source
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
-
QuestionCan I use a pressure washer on wrought iron furniture?Community AnswerYes, you can use pressure washers on wrought iron furniture. Particularly when your furniture is covered in rust, pressure washing may be a good way to clean the item.
-
QuestionHow do I restore the shine to a wrought iron door?Community AnswerHot water and distilled vinegar will clean just about anything, without leaving a film. Also, pure (not sudsy) ammonia is a fantastic cleaner of decorative metals. If you want to just bring the beauty back out of the iron, then my suggestion would be Never Dull - it comes in a small can, and you can find it where you would find Brasso, etc. Reasonably priced, and a little of this stuff will polish an entire gate!
-
QuestionHow can I remove concrete from my wrought iron item?Community AnswerIn order to remove concrete, your item may need to be professionally sandblasted. Sandblasting involves the use of machinery that removes rust, paint, and other materials from metal by aiming a jet of sand compressed by air or steam at the item.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
- You can protect your wrought iron objects by applying a clear varnish to protect it from scratches or rust. Varnish can also keep painted iron surfaces from peeling.Thanks
- If you want to paint your wrought iron items, or touch up already painted pieces, do so after the wrought iron has been cleaned, dried, sanded, and re-cleaned. You may want to apply a coat of oil-based metal primer before you begin painting.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Things You'll Need
- Two buckets or spray bottles
- Warm water
- Mild soap or distilled white vinegar
- Sponge or cloth
- Wire brush or sandpaper
- Phosphoric acid spray or gel
- Protective eye gear
- Rubber gloves
- Mask
- Furniture or car wax
- Soft cloth
References
- ↑ https://homesteady.com/12181725/how-to-clean-wrought-iron-railings
- ↑ https://homesteady.com/12181725/how-to-clean-wrought-iron-railings
- ↑ http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/porch/outdoor-rooms/how-to-clean-outdoor-furniture/
- ↑ https://homesteady.com/12181725/how-to-clean-wrought-iron-railings
- ↑ https://homesteady.com/12181725/how-to-clean-wrought-iron-railings
- ↑ https://homesteady.com/12181725/how-to-clean-wrought-iron-railings
- ↑ https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-stop-rust-when-painting-wrought-iron-railings/
- ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/fences/21015233/a-blacksmith-shows-how-to-protect-ornamental-metalwork
- ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/fences/21015233/a-blacksmith-shows-how-to-protect-ornamental-metalwork
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To clean wrought iron, wipe it down with warm soapy water. Then, rinse the wrought iron off with clean water to get rid of all of the soap. You can let the wrought iron air dry or dry it off with a clean cloth. If your wrought iron has rust on it, use a coarse wire brush or sandpaper to brush it off. For stubborn rust, you may need to use a phosphoric acid cleaner to get your wrought iron looking brand new again. To learn more, such as how to wax and buff your wrought iron, keep reading!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 265,575 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I bought beautiful wrought iron gates at a junk store in Taylor, Texas. I am using them as a headboard. They had spider webs and bird poo on them. I scrubbed them with a wire brush and soapy water, then rinsed with the garden hose. I let them dry completely, then waxed them with car wax. They now hang as a headboard, and they look fabulous. " ..." more
Advertisement
100%
of readers found this article helpful
.
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
"I bought beautiful wrought iron gates at a junk store in Taylor, Texas. I am using them as a headboard. They had spider webs and bird poo on them. I scrubbed them with a wire brush and soapy water, then rinsed with the garden hose. I let them dry completely, then waxed them with car wax. They now hang as a headboard, and they look fabulous. "
..."
more
"I have a bunch of wrought Iron furniture that I need to clean. I had no idea how I was going to tackle this project. I found the website wikiHow; and found a step by step tutorial that I can easily follow. There was also a video. Thank you!!!"
..."
more
"This is a very informative and thorough how-to article. The article helped me in my time of need (mother-in-law visiting in 2 days, and wife has been on me to clean the front iron gates)."
..."
more
"It helped a lot. I've got lots of wrought iron and I'm sure it's never been cleaned. I'm not sure it will now, but this helped a lot. I didn't even know it rusted."
..."
more
"Thank you for the wonderful help. It worked like a charm. Thank you again."
