How to Clean and Restore Wrought Iron

Wrought iron handles and hinges give an authentic warmth to period properties, but sometimes even a material as durable and hard wearing as hand forged iron can need a little TLC. Our blog post this week looks at how to maintain and restore wrought iron fittings to show off your ironmongery to it’s best advantage.

If your exterior door handles or gate latches have rusted, use a wire brush to lightly scrub the affected areas. To remove rust stains soak the affected item in a mildly acidic solution such as lemon juice mixed with salt , or some cheap and cheerful vinegar. Our thanks to syyenergy7 for this excellent demonstration of how quickly and easily vinegar can remove rust from metal.

After removing the rust use liquid wax to give the handle a protective layer which will prevent further weathering. Liquid wax also gives wrought iron fittings the traditional matt black antiqued look that suits period homes.

See our selection of authentic replacement wrought iron handles and gate latches if your piece is beyond repair. Our aging technique ensures that all our hand forged ironmongery will compliment any antique doors or gates without looking garish and new.