Almost every household has sewing needles to carry out basic amendments and alterations. Well… unless you don’t like sewing and you are living alone, then you would not need one. These are convenient tools, and we all would want them to stay rust-free to perform the task they are supposed to.
Keeping sewing needles from rusting is as easy as drinking water. It is not something that you need to think about soo deeply and worry your head about it.
To prevent this from happening, it is important to understand why sewing needles rust and what steps you can take to keep your needles in good condition. Let’s explore the basics of rust prevention and discuss ways to store your needles to keep them safe and secure.
The Basic Reason Why Sewing Needles Rust
The primary cause of rust on sewing needles is exposure to humidity or moisture. Sewing needles are made with strings of steel wire which are straightened and cut. When something is made of steel, then there is the possibility of it rusting.
Sewing needles are exposed to moisture when you leave them in the open, when you touch them with a wet hand, when you keep them in a plastic container and store it in a hot and humid place, or water or any liquid gets spilled on them.
Different Ways To Store Your Needles To Prevent Rust
There are many options available that will help you store your sewing needles and protect them from rust so they remain in top condition. Let’s go through a few of the options.
1. Plastic container with silica gel packets
One option is to use a clear plastic box with a lid packed with some silica gel packets whose main job will be to absorb moisture and keep the needles in the plastic box try during long periods of storage.
If you have an empty pill bottle, you can use it in place of a clear plastic box and it will do the work just fine.
So the next time you purchase something with silica gel packets, don’t throw them away, you can make use of it to store your needles.
2. Plastic container with some powder
If you have a plastic container and cannot get silica gel packets, you can opt for powder. Put some powder into the container and just like the silica gel packets, the powder will absorb moisture and also keep your needles rust-free.
You don’t need to fill the entire container or even half with the powder. Just a little bit of powder is sufficient to absorb the moisture from the air and keep your needles in a dry environment.
The only downside to this storage method is that you may end up with some powder on your hands when you reach into the container.
3. Specific airtight containers for storing needles
You can also choose to buy an airtight container specifically designed for storing sewing needles. These containers are usually made of plastic or glass and come with lids that close tightly to help keep moisture out while also keeping out dust particles.
4. Keeping them in their paper wraps
Some sewing needles come in their original paper wraps. The best way to keep them safe and secure is to store them in the same paper wraps they came with. So far as the needles are not exposed to moisture or any other liquids, they will remain rust-free.
General Tips To Keep Your Sewing Needles From Rusting
Here are some additional tips that will help you keep your needles from rusting:
- Always dry off your sewing needles if they get wet before putting them away for storage.
- Keep your needle in a cool, dry place away from heat.
- Never leave your sewing needles in the open, not in use. When not in use, keep them in their storage box or wrap.
- Avoid touching your needles with wet hands.
- Don’t be putting your sewing needle in your mouth. Some people do this momentarily to free their hands to do something else, but this can lead to rusting because of the moisture.
Final Words
Keeping your sewing needles free from rust is important not only because it makes them last longer but also because rusty needles can affect the quality of workmanship. By taking proper care of these essential tools, you’ll make sure they remain sharp and reliable so you can continue creating beautiful garments with ease and also save you some money because you don’t have to buy them often.