How to Remove Rust from Kitchen Utensils

Having rusty utensils is very unpleasant. You can’t use them to serve food and the last thing you would want to do is expose them to your guests! They’re not only unsightly but you also run the risk of contaminating your food.

What is Rust?

Rust is an iron oxide formed when iron or an alloy of iron (like steel) is exposed to oxygen and moisture for a long period of time. The rust forms when iron undergoes oxidation.
If chloride ions are present in the moisture, as is the case with salt water, oxidation is likely to occur much faster. This is the reason why a lot of rust is found on iron items near saltwater bodies.

How to Remove Rust from Kitchen Utensils

All your utensils should be free from rust. This includes cutlery (spoons, forks, and knives), plates, cooking pots, and any metallic mugs.
So what should you do if you notice some rust cropping up on your beautiful set of kitchen items?
For starters, avoid using chemicals to remove the rust! This is not only harmful to your health due to the possibility of contamination, but it can also lead to more corrosion of the utensil.

1.     Use salt & lemons

This is a cheap method of removing rust from kitchen utensils. The 2 cleaning materials to use are readily available in your kitchen and are natural products. So you don’t have to worry about using toxic chemicals on your utensils.
The amount of salt to use will depend on the area you want to clean; the bigger the area to remove rust, then the higher amount of salt to use & vice versa.
You’ll need a half lemon for this procedure.
Put some of the salt on the half lemon and use it as a scrubbing pad. Scrub the area of your pans or cutlery with rust until it becomes clean. If the salt disappears before all the rust comes off, add more salt to the lemon and continue scrubbing.
An alternative procedure would be to sprinkle some of the salt onto the area covered with rust & squeeze the half lemon over the salt. Then let this mixture sit for 1-2 hours. Scrub the area with the lemon rind until the rust is gone.
Once you’re done, let it sit for a few minutes then wash it clean. Let it dry completely until all moisture is gone. Then using a kitchen brush, apply a little oil onto the utensil and store it away.

2.     Use baking soda

With this method, you’re going to need a few tablespoons of baking soda and coarse scrubbing pads. Baking soda is non-abrasive and will gently lift the rust stain from the utensil.
Similar to the previous method discussed above, the amount of baking soda to use will depend on the area covered with rust that needs to be cleaned.
First, mix the baking soda with a little warm water. You only need a little water to make a paste!
Rub the baking soda paste on the utensil covered with rust using the scrubbing pad. Scrub gently until all the rust is gone. Rinse and dry the utensil until there is no more moisture.
3.     Use white vinegar
With this method, you’ll need enough white vinegar to soak the kitchen utensil.

The first step is to gently scrub off as much rust from the utensil as possible.

Next, pour the white vinegar into a small bucket and submerge the item to be cleaned. Soak it overnight.

The next day, remove the item from the solution and scrub it using a scouring pad. If there is still too much rust, add a little baking soda or coarse salt to the scouring pad and continue scrubbing until all the rust is gone.
Conclusion:
An important final step is to apply some cooking oil on your cleaned utensils and brush it all over to prevent rust from forming again.

However, the best way to prevent rust from forming is to take very good care of your kitchen utensils. Dry them thoroughly after cleaning to ensure there is no water left on them before putting them away in storage. Remember that rust is formed due to extended exposure to moisture & oxygen.

With rust-free and presentable tableware, you will ensure that your family eats safe food, and you won’t feel embarrassed anytime your guests suddenly show up to your dinner table. 

6 Health Benefits of Papayas

The papaya, also known as pawpaw, is a very healthy tropical fruit that is very refreshing and nutritious. It has strong antioxidant properties that make it an ideal fruit for preventing various illnesses.

Papayas contain papain, an enzyme that helps digest proteins and it is more concentrated in the fruit when unripe.
NB: Papain is used to make digestive enzyme dietary supplements and is also used as an ingredient in some chewing gums.
Papayas are deliciously sweet and very refreshing on hot and sunny days. One medium sized papaya has about 120 calories.

Health Benefits of Papayas

Papayas are very excellent sources of the antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin A. 1 medium sized papaya contains 168mg of vitamin C and 131mcg of vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids). They are also rich in folate, fiber, magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, carbohydrates, copper, sodium, vitamins E & K, protein and pantothenic acid.
These nutrients are very beneficial to the body and help in:
1.      Reducing the risk of heart diseases.  Vitamins A, C, fiber and potassium help in preventing the oxidation of cholesterol, lowering high cholesterol levels in the body and therefore reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
2.      Providing protection against cancer. Consumption of papayas can reduce the risk of colon and prostate cancers.
3.      Reducing inflammation. Papayas contain antioxidants and protein-digesting enzymes like papain as well as vitamin A which help in reducing inflammation and healing burns.
4.      Skin improvement. Papayas contain vitamin A which helps in the growth of all body cells/tissues including the skin and hair. It is also required for sebum production. Vitamin C is needed for collagen production, which is a very important protein in holding the structure of our bodies.
5.      Improving brain health. Vitamin C helps in the production of neurotransmitters which are necessary for transmitting information in the brain. It also helps in the production of serotonin, a hormone required in various body systems including the immune, digestive, nervous and endocrine systems.
6.      Improving digestion. Papayas contain the digestive papain, which helps in breaking down food in the stomach. This enzyme is commercially used in making meat tenderizers. The fiber and high water content in papaya help food move in the digestive track thereby preventing constipation.
To increase your consumption of papayas, use them to make papaya juice, incorporate them into your fruit salads or just enjoy a fresh half papaya as a mid-day snack.
Ripe papayas are slightly soft to the touch while the green unripe ones are hard and can be used for cooking after peeling off the bitter outer skin.

Health Benefits of Green Tea

Green tea

Green tea is very nutritious. In recent years, green tea has received a lot of positive feedback from nutritionists and healthy living advocates. Some of them have been taking it for many years and claim it provides many health benefits.

Health Benefits of Green Tea

A number of scientific studies have been conducted in recent years to investigate the health benefits of green tea. The results showed that frequent intake provides the following benefits:

  1. improves brain function
  2. lowers the risk of various types of cancer
  3. improves immunity
  4. improves the rate of metabolism
  5. helps in burning fat

Some of the studies investigated the relationship between green tea and weight loss. It was found that a compound called Catechin found in green tea is believed to have fat burning properties. It helps in eliminating fat which consequently boosts the rate of metabolism.

An increased rate of metabolism ensures that consumed food is digested faster and the various organs of the body function optimally. It also helps the liver in the faster conversion of fat deposits into energy.

In one study, healthy men with similar body mass index (BMI) and waist circumferences were separated into two groups. For a duration of twelve weeks, one group consumed oolong tea containing 690mg of the green tea extract daily while a control group consumed 22mg of the same extract.

The researchers found that the BMI, waist circumferences and body fat mass of the group that consumed more of the green tea extract were significantly lower than the control group. This suggested that daily consumption of green tea may be useful in the prevention and improvement of lifestyle related diseases like obesity.