Hi Ana,

Probably the forceps are not made of good steel. Always buy dissecting instruments from a very reliable and renowned supplier. Also, sterilise them in a hot air autoclave at 160 C so that you also get rid of any residual moisture which is mostly the main cause of rust. 

Good Luck!

Care for them with oil.

Dear Ana Alcaina-Caro

After completing your work with forceps, wipe them properly with Spirit/Ethanol by using cotton so that any moisture associated with them will be dried very fast. Then you can store them in your surgical tool kit.

Good Luck

Thank you all very much!

The forceps are manufactured by DUMONT but I found that there an inscription on them: CARBON. I don't know if they need any especial care.

I already tried to clean them up with etanol but seems this is not helping, instead is turning it worse :(

I found on google that rubbing them with aluminum foil I could remove the rust, but still it is just another way of filing them and I can't do that every time the rust appears because I will end up breaking them.

I'll add some photographs:

 Hi Ana,

Seeing the pictures, it looks like staining of the metal, which we often assume as rust.

Remove this type of stain from the instrument by rubbing with a pencil eraser (rust cannot be removed by an eraser).

After each use, clean them with neutral pH detergent, autoclave (hot air is the best) and coat them with a thin film of neutral mineral oil.

Here is a detailed explanation of what happens to carbon steel instruments.

Stainless Steel Qualities

Stainless steel is a metal which resists rust, can be ground to a fine point and retains a sharp edge. Its composition can be altered to enhance certain qualities. For example, a manufacturer can make a scissor of stainless steel with carbon to create a harder cutting edge on a scissor. It is the carbon in the stainless steel that makes the scissor stronger but the carbon makes the instrument more susceptible to rust and corrosion. A quality surgical instrument achieves a proper balance of the material characteristics in order to provide an instrument appropriate for its use. All stainless steel can stain, pit, and rust if not cared for properly. 

Manufacturers subject instruments to a passivation and polishing process in order to make the steel as stain-resistant as possible. Passivation and polishing removes the carbon molecules from the instrument surface, forming a layer which acts as a corrosion resistant seal. This passivation process can also occur through repeated exposure to oxidizing agents in chemicals, soaps, and the atmosphere. Polishing creates a smooth surface on the instrument. It is extremely important to polish an instrument because the passivation process leaves microscopic pits where the carbon molecules were removed. Polishing also builds a layer of chromium oxide on the surface of the instrument. Through regular handling and sterilization the layer of chromium oxide will build up and protect the instrument from corrosion. In some circumstances, that is why older instruments seem to be less subject to corrosion than newer instruments. The newer instruments have not had the time to build up the chromium oxide layer. Improper cleaning and sterilization can cause the protective layer of chromium oxide to disappear or become damaged, increasing the possibility of corrosion. That is why it is so important to properly clean, sterilize, and store your instruments.

Staining of Surgical Instruments

Stains are discoloration of metal by material being just added to the surface of the metal. Stains are often mistaken for rust- an actual change to the metal material. A brown/orange color stain is the most common and is often mistaken for rust. The brown/orange color stain is usually a phosphate deposit on the instrument. Phosphate can come from traces of minerals in the autoclave water source, a dirty autoclave, high alkaline or acidic detergents, surgical wrappings, and dried blood or tissue. Hot steam in the autoclave deposits the phosphate and produces the stain on the instrument’s surface. Remove this type of stain from the instrument by rubbing with a pencil eraser (rust cannot be removed by an eraser).

A brown/orange stain or a blue-black stain can occur from plating during the cleaning or autoclaving process. Through electrolysis when dissimilar metals touch while being autoclaved, ultrasonically cleaned, or sometimes even stored together, plated stains actually bond the stain material to the instrument metal. They do not often change the metal material except for the discoloration. These stains are very difficult to remove and should be sent to a surgical instrument service facility for refinishing.

Black stains are usually due to an acid reaction. An acidic detergent deposit left on the instrument during autoclaving might cause a black stain. Always use neutral pH detergents and distilled deionized water in your autoclave process, and be sure to completely rinse instruments before autoclaving.

Multi-colored stains or chromium oxide stains result from excessive heat. These rainbow colored stains indicate the instrument may have lost some of its original hardness after being heated. Cutting edges loose their sharpness quickly when hardness is reduced. Flash flame decontamination ( an instrument is decontaminated by inserting it into a flame for a few seconds) changes the molecular structure of most material adversely, shortening the useful life of instruments. Consider another method of decontamination where lower heat levels can be applied to keep your instruments useful for many more years.

Thank you Mukesh!! It's a really detailed answer. 

I've already tried with the pencil eraser but it didn't work. I'll try the autoclave and tell you all how is it going!

Thank you very much! 

Hi Ana, I am a surgeon.In Indonesia we have to take care our own instruments. When it get rusted, I usually wipe with the cloth and baking soda that mix with vinegar. After using it, try to dry it first and let them under air  a couple of minute and after that I usually wipe that with parafin oil before I store that.