Rusty surfaces can get filthy. See 9 stunning ways to clean them

When you spot a bit of rust on your car, tools or kitchen appliances, you're catching a glimpse of corrosion in action, according to How Stuff Works. Rust occurs when iron, water and oxygen get together and have a party. That's why repairing scratches on steel items is important. If water and oxygen break the protective barrier: you get rust.

Cleaning up rust (especially if you catch it early enough) can be a bit of a pain, but it's not too tough. Check out a few of these creative ways to get rid of rust for good:

1. Soak rusty bolts in vinegar
Repair rusty nails and screws by soaking them in vinegar. RJ the Bike Guy recommends putting the screws in a bottle and covering them with vinegar. Give the bottle a shake and then let them soak over night.

2. Clean a rusty knife (or stove) with lemon
If you notice a bit of rust on a knife or other metal surface, coat the rusty area with a bit of salt, then squeeze half a lemon on top of the salt. Get as much juice as you can and let it sit for two hours. Use the lemon rind to scrub the rust away.

3. Scrub away rust with baking soda
Grab an old toothbrush and your baking soda. Create a thick paste using baking soda and water. Let the baking soda sit until it dries, then use the toothbrush to scrub the rust away.

4. Grab a soda
If you can bear to part with your favorite soda, Coca-Cola can help remove rust. Just dump the soda onto the rust (or soak rusty tools in the soda) and scrub. The citrus acid and carbonation combine to create the perfect rust remover. Just a word of warning: it's sticky, so you'll want to rinse anything you use it on well, according to Green Cleaning Products.

5. The old one-two
If you have some rusty tools, fill a bucket with vinegar. Soak the rusty tools for about three hours. Use a toothbrush to scrub small areas. Then soak the tools in a mixture of one part baking soda, two parts water for five minutes. Rinse with water. Use paper towels to dry your tools. (You may need a hairdryer to get tight spots).

6. Clean stainless steel with lemon juice and cream of tartar
Make a paste using lemon juice and cream of tartar. Use a soft rag to gently scrub the rust away without damaging your metal surfaces.

7. Remove rust from the sidewalk
If you spot a bit of rust on your sidewalk (leaving a bike or metal tools on the sidewalk can transfer rust to the concrete), grab a stiff wire brush and your water hose. Get the stain wet, then use the wire brush and scrub.

8. Go all high tech
You can use electricity to remove rust from an object using water, washing soda, a piece of steel you won't need again, a car battery charger, and your rusty material. Check out this video from sblg43 to see the exact steps for this method. You'll need to be careful and follow the instructions exactly, but the results are quite astounding!

9. Remove rust from your car
Get your car looking a little spruced up with a few supplies. You'll need paint that matches the car color, rust killer, water, steel wool, soap and rubbing compound. (You can get most of the supplies at a dealer or auto shop). Scrub as much of the rust off using your scrubbing pad, water, and soap. After cleaning, apply your rubbing compound and scrub the remaining rust away. Rinse away any remaining mess and allow your car to air dry. Check out Frugal Family Tunes to see how to apply the primer and paint to finish the job.

Make sure to share these ideas with your friends on Facebook so they can get rid of rust too!