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How to Use Vinegar on Antiques

Imagine that you're on a mission to find a new antique for your collection and find a new piece only to discover rust and mineral deposits. While extensive rust can permanently damage an antique, white distilled vinegar can remove minor rust stains, mineral deposits and other buildup. A single bottle of this common household item can get your antiques looking as good as new. Few other pieces of equipment are necessary, saving you both time and money.

Things You'll Need

White distilled vinegar
Bowl
Clean towel

Instructions

- 1
  Pour two parts white distilled vinegar and one part water into a large container such as a bowl. Mix thoroughly for several seconds for the two liquids to combine and evenly distribute.
- 2
  Submerge your antique into the mixture. Ensure all the rust, deposits or other buildup you wish to remove make contact with the vinegar cleaning solution.
- 3
  Dip a clean towel into the vinegar solution and cover any part of the antique that cannot be submerged due to the antique's size or shape. Lay the towel flat on the antique's surface.
- 4
  Allow the antique to sit in the vinegar solution overnight.
- 5
  Remove the antique from the solution and rinse off with water.
- 6
  Dry the antique with a clean towel and use moderate force to remove all deposits. The vinegar solution loosens rust and mineral buildup, which makes removal easier.

Antiques