TRUE

You will be happy to know that it is absolutely true that Coca-Cola can be used to clean rust from metal surfaces! 24 This popular household hack works because the soda contains phosphoric acid, which is very effective at dissolving iron oxide—the scientific name for rust 3. While some scientists might not have tested it personally, it has been proven to be an effective rust remover in many practical applications 14. The carbonation in the drink also plays a small role, as the carbon dioxide creates a mild acid that helps the process along 9. Because of its acidic nature, Coke can strip away rust quite well, often serving as a great alternative if you do not have vinegar on hand 25. In fact, it is considered a helpful and economical way to clean tools, especially when you want to minimize the extra corrosion that stronger chemicals might cause 78.