How to Clean an Antique Bottle with Molasses
- 1). Determine if the rust you need to remove is on the inside or the outside of the antique bottle or jar. If the rust is on the inside (such as in a jar that was used to store nails or screws) you can soak the inside of the jar or bottle with the molasses solution and proceed to Step Three.
- 2). Choose a bucket or bowl large enough to hold the bottle. If the rust is also on the outside (such as from an old lid) you want to submerge the bottle or jar in enough solution in a bucket or bowl to completely cover the jar or bottle.
- 3). Create the molasses solution. You want to make a ratio of 10 to 1 of water to molasses. This means 10 parts water to 1 part molasses. For example, if it is a 16 oz. jar or bottle, you will need 2 cups of water and 1/4 cup molasses. You can figure this ratio out by 10/1 = 2/N. 10 equals your water, 2 equals the number of cups of water your jar or bottle can hold, and N equals your molasses. If you need to soak the entire bottle, you need to create enough solution to fill the bucket or bowl you are using.
- 4). Pour the solution into the bottle or container in which you are submerging the bottle. You want to keep the solution at room temperature so the solution can work at removing the rust.
- 5). Check the antique bottle or jar daily. It takes between one to five days for mild rust to be removed. It can take up to 10 days if there is heavy rust on the bottle. You want to empty the jar or bottle by pouring the contents into a bowl. If there is still rust to be removed, pour the solution back into the bottle.
- 6). Clean the bottle once the rust is removed. You want to use warm, soapy water to help ensure the molasses does not crystallize inside the bottle or jar after it has dried.
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