Rust is unsightly and can potentially harm the longevity of your cast iron skillet. Use the following steps to help remove rust from your skillet easily and effectively.
Using a gentle, non-abrasive scouring pad, scour away any loose rust flakes that are visible on the skillet. Use running water to rinse away any debris.
Mix together equal parts of water and baking soda to create a cleaning paste. Use a ratio of ¼ cup of each ingredient for smaller skillets, or up to 1 cup of each for larger skillets. Stir the ingredients until it forms a thick paste.
Using either your fingers or a cloth, spread the paste over the entire surface of the rusted skillet.
Allow the paste to sit for 15-20 minutes. This will help soften the rust and make it easier to remove.
Using a non-abrasive scouring pad, scrub away the rust. Be sure to scrub any areas that are harder to reach. Use running water to rinse away any baking soda debris.
Use a clean towel or cloth to dry the skillet. Be sure to dry each side completely.
Using a stove-top or oven, heat the skillet on low heat for 5 minutes. This will help dry the skillet and restore its natural oil.
Using a paper towel or cloth, apply vegetable oil or other cooking oil over the surface of the skillet. Wipe down the skillet to remove any excess oil.
After following each of the above steps, check the skillet for any remaining rust. Use a non-abrasive scouring pad to gently remove any remaining rust.