SOCIAL media users are going wild for a clever cleaning hack that removes rust – and it’s basically free.

You can make it yourself with two, everyday store-cupboard items – and it’s perfect for de-rusting garden furniture before you pack it away for the winter.

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The tip was posted on a Facebook group inspired by cleaning influencer Mrs Hinch, also known as Sophie Hinchliffe.

It involves simply combining tomato ketchup with scrunched-up tin foil.

The hack was shared after a user took to the group seeking advice on how to remove rust from her outdoor metal stools.

One commenter wrote: “Tomato sauce and scrunched-up tin foil. Used it on mine. Removed the rust and didn’t scratch the metal.”

Another advised: “Foil scrunched up and tomato ketchup. Mine are quite a few years old and were very rusty.”

The poster then returned to the group to share her feedback on the hack.

She said: “Today I tried ketchup and tin foil, and it worked.

“I have to admit I was sceptical, but you were all right, and I was wrong. And, as somebody asked, it didn’t scratch the chrome.”

Another shared that they had tried the hack on their bathroom tower rail and were delighted with the results.

She hailed it a “game changer”, adding: “Vinegar didn’t make any difference this is much better.”

The method works because the acetic acid in the tomato sauce reacts with the copper oxide in the rust.

Meanwhile, the scrunched-up foil helps create friction to gently rub away the rust.

Cleaning enthusiasts should first apply the tomato sauce to the area, leaving it to sit for 20 minutes.

Then, you should use the crumpled foil to scrub the surface in circular motions.

Once finished, wipe the patch clean with a soapy cloth and dry.

It comes as Mrs Hinch fans also shared a handy trick for getting rid of kids’ ink stains – using hairspray.

Hairspray, which costs as little as 85p from Bodycare, can be used to help remove stains by letting the formula sit on the affected area for a few minutes before washing the item with a detergent and warm water.