Effectiveness of Origanum Vulgare (Oregano) and Citrus x Microcarpa (Calamansi) Peel Extract as Rust Removers on Metal Tools

Abstract

The reliance on commercial rust removers presents a significant environmental and health hazard, necessitating the development of safer, sustainable alternatives for metal tool maintenance. This research responded to this problem by investigating natural ingredients. The study’s objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of an extract derived from Origanum vulgare (Oregano) and Citrus x microcarpa (Calamansi) peel extract as a rust remover, and to analyze its advantages over chemical rust remover in terms of economic and environmental factors. A true experimental design was employed. The extract, prepared by macerating the plant material in 70% ethanol for 72 hours, was applied to rusted tools and compared against a commercial rust remover over one hour, with efficacy assessed using a qualitative rust rating scale. The extract demonstrated high efficacy, achieving a “No Rust” result on most moderately corroded tools, comparable to the control group which is the chemical rust remover. The research concluded that the Oregano-Calamansi Peel extract is a feasible, cost effective and environmentally sustainable alternative for the routine maintenance of metal tools, though its application on heavily corroded items may require complementary mechanical cleaning such as scrubbing with an abrasive brush.

Introduction

The study addresses the environmental and practical issues associated with chemical rust removers, which, while effective, pose hazards to humans, tools, and the environment. With global chemical production rising and most industrial chemicals being environmentally unsustainable, there is a growing need for eco-friendly alternatives. Metal tools are particularly vulnerable to corrosion from moisture, sweat, oils, and mechanical damage, requiring frequent maintenance. Although chemical rust removers are convenient, they can leave metal surfaces unprotected, accelerating rust recurrence.

This research investigates the effectiveness of Origanum vulgare (Oregano) and Citrus x microcarpa (Calamansi) peel extracts as natural rust removers. Using a quantitative experimental design, 16 rusted geodetic tools were tested—half with chemical remover (control) and half with the natural extract (experimental). Observations were made using a checklist and rust-removal rating scale to assess rust removal, rust prevention, functionality, applicability, efficacy, environmental impact, and economic advantages.

Key Findings:

• Rust Removal: The natural extract effectively removed rust, with results comparable or superior to chemical removers depending on the tool type. Rust prevention was effective after drying, forming a protective layer.

• Functionality & Applicability: The extract was safe, easy to apply, suitable for repeated use, and did not damage the metal surfaces, though scrubbing was needed for tough rust.

• Efficacy: The extract performed well overall, with excellent rust removal speed and good lasting protection.

• Environmental Impact: The extract is natural, non-toxic, biodegradable, odor-free, safe for skin, and safe for disposal, outperforming chemical removers.

• Economic Advantage: The plant-based solution is low-cost, affordable, requires small amounts per use, and is cost-effective long-term.

Conclusion

Based on the results of the study, the following conclusions were drawn: 1) The oregano and calamansi extract is effective in removing rust, showing moderate to high results within thirty (30) minutes and one (1) hour of use. 2) The extract provides short-term rust prevention after drying, and although slight rust appeared during the drying phase, no new rust formed after thirty (30) minutes and one (1) hour. 3) The extract showed consistent rust-removal performance across most tools tested, indicating its reliability for routine cleaning of common metal tools and equipment. 4) The oregano and calamansi extract is safer for users and the environment because it is natural, non-toxic, biodegradable , and produces no harmful fumes unlike chemical removers. 5) The extract is more economical and cost-efficient than commercial rust removers, as its low-cost ingredients and minimal required amount per use make it practical for students and users with limited resources.

References

[1] Arevalo, M. J., Mabaquiao, J. M., Roco, J. S., & Alipio, A. T. (2013). Ecofriendly alternative solutions for rust removal. Journal of Business, Logistics, and Maritime Studies (JBLFMS) Research. Retrieved from https://books.openbookpublishers.com/10.11647/obp.0453.15.pdf [2] Arguelles, G., Torres, M., Wu, B., Olay, J., Ong, R.,. (2020). (Calamansi) Citrofortunella Microcarpa Rind Extract As Plant Derived Green Corrosion Inhibitor For Mild Steel In 1.0M Hcl. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. 778. 012007. 10.1088/1757-899X/778/1/012007. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341088116_Calamansi_Citrofortunella_Microcarpa_Rind_Extract_As_Plant_Derived_Green_Corrosion_Inhibitor_For_Mild_Steel_In_10M_Hcl [3] Bagaudin, Z. M. (2024). GEODETIC ASPECTS IN CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING SURVEYS. ??????? ?????, 2(10 (79)), 556-562. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/geodetic-aspects-in-construction-and-engineering-surveys [4] Barbu, C. A., Fierascu, I., Semenescu, A., & Cotrut, C. M. (2025). Critical Review regarding the Application of Plant Extracts as Eco-Friendly Corrosion Inhibitors—A Sustainable Interdisciplinary Approach. Molecules, 30(18), 3722. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30183722 [5] Ecofriendly alternative solutions for rust removal. (2013). In Time Journals of Biological Sciences and Technology. https://research.jblfmu.edu.ph/repo/file_repository/ExternalPublication/pdf_International/Arevalo/Ecofriendly%20Alternative%20Solutions%20for%20Rust%20Removal.pdf [6] Dehghani, A., Ghahremani, P., Mostafatabar, A. H., & Ramezanzadeh, B. (2024). Plant extracts: Probable alternatives for traditional inhibitors for controlling alloys corrosion against acidic media—A review. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 14(6), 7467-7486. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13399-022-02893-4 [7] Dhaundiyal, P., Bashir, S., Sharma, V., & Kumar, A. (2019). An investigation on mitigation of corrosion of mildsteel by Origanum vulgare in acidic medium. Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia, 33(1), 159. https://doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v33i1.16 [8] Dwivedi, D., Lepková, K., & Becker, T. (2017). Carbon steel corrosion: a review of key surface properties and characterization methods. RSC Advances [9] Fazal, B. R., Becker, T., Kinsella, B., & Lepkova, K. (2022). A review of plant extracts as green corrosion inhibitors for CO2 corrosion of carbon steel. Npj Materials Degradation, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41529-021-00201-5 [10] Guo, S., Si, R., Dai, Q., You, Z., Ma, Y., & Wang, J. (2019). A critical review of corrosion development and rust removal techniques on the structural/environmental performance of corroded steel bridges. Digital Commons @ Michigan Tech. https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/31/ [11] Hamidi, D., Husni, E., Yeni, F. (2021). Chemical Contents Profile of Essential Oil from Calamansi ( Citrus microcarpa Bunge) Peels and Leaves and Its Antibacterial Activities. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365193467_Chemical_Contents_Profile_of_Essential_Oil_from_Calamansi_Citrus_microcarpa_Bunge_Peels_and_Leaves_and_Its_Antibacterial_Activities [12] Ihamdane, R., Tiskar, M., Outemsaa, B., Zelmat, L., Dagdag, O., Berisha, A., Berdimurodov, E., Ebenso, E. E., & Chaouch, A. (n.d.). Essential Oil of Origanum vulgare as a Green Corrosion Inhibitor for Carbon Steel in Acidic Medium. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-023-07693-0 [13] Kumar, Ashish & Bashir, Sumayah. (2015). Review on Corrosion inhibition of Steel in Acidic media. 8. 974-4290. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321826047_Review_on_Corrosion_inhibition_of_Steel_in_Acidic_media [14] Libretexts. (2021, February 20). 12.2: Experiments. Social Sci LibreTexts. Retrieved December 2, 2025, from https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Sociology/Introduction_to_Research_Methods/Book%3A_Principles_of_Sociological_Inquiry__Qualitative_and_Quantitative_Methods_%28Blackstone%29/12%3A_Other_Methods_of_Data_Collection_and_Analysis/12.02%3A_Experiments?.com [15] Leica Geosystems. (2021). User Manual: FlexLine TS03/TS07/TS10 https://docs.onepointsurvey.com/pdf/Leica-FlexLine-TS03-TS07-User-Manual.pdf [16] Nurzy?ska-Wierdak, R., & Walasek-Janusz, M. (2025). Chemical composition, biological activity, and potential uses of oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) and oregano essential oil. Pharmaceuticals, 18(2), 267. https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/2/267 [17] Muhsin, N. (2020). Review on engineering methods in treatment of chemical rust. Journal of Research in Engineering and Applied Sciences, 6, 49–53. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347430188_Review_on_Engineering_Methods_in_Treatment_of_Chemical_Rust [18] Oniga, I., Pu?ca?, C., Silaghi-Dumitrescu, R., Olah, N. K., Sevastre, B., Marica, R., ... & Hanganu, D. (2018). Origanum vulgare ssp. vulgare: Chemical composition and biological studies. Molecules, 23(8), 2077. https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/23/8/2077 [19] Pasumbal, S. (2019). Investigating the effectiveness of Calamansi (Citrus microcarpa) rind extract as a green corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in acidic media [Unpublished undergraduate thesis/project]. (Inferred from the content discussing green corrosion inhibitor, Langmuir adsorption, and 1.0M HCl). [20] Ramones, E., Flor, J. C., Lacar, K., & Ortiz, E. (n.d.). Calamansi (Citrofortunella Microcarpa) and Kamias (Averrhoa Bilimbi) as main active ingredient for rust remover.https://www.scribd.com/presentation/690848398/RESEARCHPPT [21] Soltani, S., Shakeri, A., Iranshahi, M., & Boozari, M. (2021). A review of the phytochemistry and antimicrobial properties of Origanum vulgare L. and subspecies. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research: IJPR, 20(2), 268. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8457725/ [22] Sheydaei, M. (2024). The use of plant extracts as green corrosion Inhibitors: A review. Surfaces, 7(2), 380–403. https://doi.org/10.3390/surfaces7020024 [23] Tulus, V., Pérez-Ramírez, J., & Guillén-Gosálbez, G. (2021). Planetary metrics for the absolute environmental sustainability assessment of chemicals. Green Chemistry, 23(24), 9881–9893. https://doi.org/10.1039/d1gc02623b [24] The Effectiveness of Citrus Microcarpa (Calamansi) Peel With Vinegar As Rust Remover On Metals. (n.d.). [Unpublished research paper]. Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/827606517/THE-EFFECTIVENESS-OF-CITRUS-MICROCARPA-CALAMANSI-PEEL-WITH-VINEGAR-AS-RUST-REMOVER-ON-METALS [25] United Nations Environment Programme. (n.d.). Chemical. Beat Pollution. Retrieved November 20, 2025. https://www.unep.org/beatpollution/forms-pollution/chemical [26] Wang, X., Chen, L., Yang, F., Xiang, Q., & Liu, J. (2023). Corrosion inhibition mechanism and extraction technology of plant corrosion inhibitors: a review. Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology, 37(21), 2919-2943. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01694243.2023.2172993 [27] Zaczek-Peplinska, J., & Kowalska, M. E. (2022). Application of non-contact geodetic measurement techniques in dam monitoring. Archives of Civil Engineering, 63(3). https://repo.pw.edu.pl/info/article/WUT6ed4be77b2f54e7aa341df5059958566/

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Rexton Bryan L. Dimaculangan, Arcelie A. Durolfo, Prince Richard M. Galac, Rosemarie Jane T. Hizola, Jose Cholo B. Juat, Cllyde L. Lilia, Davey Darren M. Looc, Bryle A. Armeza. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.