The investment in cleaning an old iron bed is minimal, since household items such as vinegar and lemons, and a mild detergent are all that is necessary to clean up an old iron bed.
Things You Will Need
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Wipe down the entire bed with a rag moistened in a gentle cleanser to remove dust, dirt and debris. Removing surface dirt will help isolate any rusty areas that need additional cleaning.
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Rinse the bed by wiping it down with a clean damp rag.
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Dry the bed with a clean, soft rag.
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Brush away as much rust as possible with a steel wire brush.
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Apply vinegar or lemon juice to the rust, saturating the area completely.
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Wait at least 10 minutes for the vinegar or lemon juice to penetrate and soften the rust.
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Scrub the rust away with steel wool, taking care not to scratch any brass or painted accessories.
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Wipe the area clean with a damp rag. Remove as much loosened rust as possible.
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Apply more vinegar or lemon juice to any remaining rust, and wait 10 to 15 minutes.
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Scrub the rusted area again with steel wool.
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Wipe the area clean.
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Sand away any remaining rust spots with medium grit sandpaper.
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Wipe away all remaining rust debris and sandpaper residue with a clean damp rag.
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Dry the bed thoroughly with a clean, soft rag.
The Drip Cap
- An old iron bed from a yard sale, thrift store, flea market or the attic is a great find.
- The investment in cleaning an old iron bed is minimal, since household items such as vinegar and lemons, and a mild detergent are all that is necessary to clean up an old iron bed.
- Brush away as much rust as possible with a steel wire brush.
- Dry the bed thoroughly with a clean, soft rag.