'It's a downright miracle' – my rusty outdoor furniture looks brand new after I used a household hero hiding in plain sight

I thought I had tried everything when it came to cleaning the rust off outdoor furniture, but using cola to revive tired chairs and tables was a new one.

I gave it a go in my seating area, and I couldn’t believe how well it worked. I also spoke to cleaning pros who love this budget-friendly, non-abrasive technique and have done it themselves.

If you’re looking to remove rust from metal garden furniture, I highly recommend opening up your fridge, grabbing a can of cola, and giving this a try.

Why does cleaning rust with cola work?

I had been researching cleaning tips for how to remove the rust from my outdoor furniture ahead of summer garden party hosting, and it turned out the answer was hiding in plain sight in my kitchen. I am not the only one who stumbled on this technique after a good bit of investigating.

Veronica Smith, cleaning expert and manager of Dallas Maids, explains, ‘As a mom, there were times that I could not afford the proper cleaning supplies, such as rust remover – something my stained sinks needed profusely.

‘After months of searching, I found a group of mothers who taught me how to use cola for cleaning purposes, and I can assure it's a downright miracle! After this, I did not need to buy an expensive rust remover in years.’

She says that cola's carbonation enhances its cleaning ability by creating mild agitation, which helps dislodge rust particles, while its low pH (2.5 to 3.0) further aids in breaking down the oxide layer. It also contains ​​phosphoric and citric acid, which eat away rust with ease.

Where can I try cleaning rust with cola?

I tried it on my outdoor furniture metal trim, as these were in desperate need of a de-rust. It took just 15 minutes to do and left them looking spotless. However, there are other areas of the home that you can try it on.

Scott Schrader, cleaning expert at CottageCare, says, ‘This is not simply another internet myth! I've used cola on small rusted bolts and patio chair frames when I don't want to use harsh rust removers, especially when they are too harsh or a mess to deal with.

‘Cola is not going to replace a rust converter or an aggressive rust removal solution, but for small jobs or detailing it is a useful trick that works in a pinch – specifically for lightly rusted garden chairs outside, table legs, or metal trim.’

Scott has used it personally as well, during post-storm clean-up when he needed a fast and safe option without removing heavy-duty chemicals.

How to clean rust with cola

Wondering how to give this budget-friendly cleaning hack a go? Scott has shared all the steps that you need to follow:

• Pour cola into a bowl: You can also use a sink. From here, sink a rag into it – use a budget-friendly one, such as the Homexcel microfiber cloths from Amazon.
• Wrap or apply the cola to the rusted area: Whether you apply directly or wrap the rag around the affected area depends on the shape of the furniture. After this, allow it to sit for 15-30 minutes, depending on the rust severity.
• Scrub with a non-scratch pad or aluminum foil (dull side): Foil is soft enough that it won't damage the metal but is abrasive enough to lift rust. Alternatively, you can use scouring pads like the Scotch-Brite scrubbers from Amazon.
• Rinse thoroughly and dry: Make sure to let the furniture dry completely in order to avoid flash rusting.

Top tip: If the item is going to be outside, apply a protective coat like WD-40 (available from Amazon) to prevent rusting in future.

What to shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet our experts

Veronica Smith

Veronica is a cleaning expert and general manager at Dallas Maids, which provides quality cleaning services in the Dallas area. She has spent countless hours helping folks turn their houses into clean, cozy havens and swears by cleaning rust with cola.

Scott Schrader

Scott is the chief marketing officer at CottageCare, which is a leading home cleaning company with more than 41 locations nationwide. Scott joined the family business in 2006 and is an expert in all things cleaning. He loves finding clever hacks like the cola rust one and has even tried it himself.

If you’re in a rush before guests are due to arrive or if you’re just dealing with a small amount of rust, cleaning with cola is an easy and effective solution.

Looking for more great outdoor cleaning hacks? I also recommend trying cleaning outdoor rugs with baking soda, which leaves them looking oh-so-fresh.