How to Clean Wrought Iron

It is likely that there are several items in and around your home that are made from wrought iron. Wrought iron has been used for hundreds of years because of its strength and durability, and it is used today to make patio furniture, fences, shelving, ornamental decorations, and so much more. Due to the fact that wrought iron has been worked and molded, it is easier for dust and dirt to collect on it and figuring out how to clean wrought iron may prove to be difficult. Luckily, there are ways to get the job done.

The first thing you will want to do before cleaning any wrought iron is to remove any cushions or non-wrought-iron materials so they do not get wet. Once this has been done, depending on the amount of wrought iron you will be cleaning, either fill a bucket or a spray bottle with warm water. You can then add any liquid dish soap to the warm water; a good ratio is about 1 tbsp of dish soap for every 1 quart of water.

Apply the dish soap and water mixture to a rag or sponge and then begin to wipe the wrought iron in a circular motion until the debris has cleared. You may re-dampen your sponge or rag as many times as necessary. For more stubborn areas or rust spots, you can use a wire brush or sandpaper. Keep in mind, however, that this may lead to paint removal. Once you feel that you have cleared away most of the dirt and debris, empty your mixture and refill your bottle or bucket with plain warm water. Rinse the soap and water mixture off of your rag or sponge, then using the warm water, use the rag to rinse the wrought iron. If you are washing outdoor wrought iron, it may be easier to use a water hose for this last step.