From rusty steel tools to tarnished bronze boat hardware, steel wool restores oxidized, grimy metal surfaces to shiny newness—almost magically.
I typically start by washing and drying the surface to avoid clogging the steel wool with dirt. Like sandpaper, steel wool comes in grades: very coarse #3 steel wool is tough enough to scratch off a layer of paint, while #0000 is the finest grade, more suited to polishing. For removing heavy rust on a shovel, I use #2 coarse to get back to bare metal. To bring tarnished outdoor brass back to its glory, #0000 will gently remove oxidation and polish the surface.
When I’m using steel wool to polish, I don’t use lubricant, though some people add a little oil or mineral spirits; I find it simpler to avoid overly deep scratches by rubbing with even pressure. And to clear the wool pad of debris, I frequently give it a snappy finger-flick in the air. A good trick for cleaning your project and work surface of steel wool dust: wave a magnet overtop.
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That’s not even scratching the surface of what you can do with steel wool:
1) As a short-term deterrent, use coarse steel wool to frustrate mice by stuffing small interior entry holes (it’ll rust outside).
2) Place leftover nubbins of used steel wool in a jar with vinegar. A few days later, you’ll have a stain that darkens oak and other high-tannin woods.
3) Clean glass with #0000. I use it on my car windshield to remove bugs. Be careful—some high-end cars (not mine) have coated glass that could be damaged.
4) Take a bit of #0000, pull it apart, and mix in some fine tinder. Hold a 9V battery against the steel wool until it begins to glow, then give a few puffs of air to start your fire!
This article was originally published in the September/October 2025 issue of Cottage Life.
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