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Rust on brushes

Barrel Char Wood Products

brentG

NewBee
Registered Member
Apr 20, 2014
200
2
0
I guess I didn't dry my carboy brush or my bottle brush well enough, so now there's rust on them. Any advice?
 

Chevette Girl

All around BAD EXAMPLE
Moderator
Lifetime GotMead Patron
Apr 27, 2010
8,447
59
48
Ottawa, ON
I have a few that have done that. Just make sure you rinse well and don't soak them in anything you want to re-use. It shouldn't harm glass and if you sozzle something glass to shake off any loose rust particles before you put it near plastic you should be fine using them with plastic too.

If you want the rust to stop, soak the metal parts for a little while in Coca Cola, the phosphoric acid will convert it from the red rust that spreads to the black rust that doesn't, not sure how long that will last when you're exposing it to cleaning chemicals afterwards though. Maybe do a final soak/rinse with Coke when you're done with them to prevent further rust?

I never bothered with this part, I just use 'em rusty and rinse well.
 

mannye

Administrator
Administrator
Moderator
Oct 10, 2012
4,167
25
38
57
Miami Beach, FL
There you go! I didn't think a little iron oxide was all that toxic anyway, right? I seem to remember a bottle brush I had that had the same thing. I just used it as is. Good trick with the Coca Cola!
 
Barrel Char Wood Products

Viking Brew Vessels - Authentic Drinking Horns