Here's how I clean most iron things.

1. I put them in muriatic acid for a while (like 30 minutes). That
takes off rust, but leaves highly corrosive acid on them facilitAting
future corrosion.

2. After that, I rinse them very well in a solution of baking soda,
maybe I would even leave it there for a few minutes -- but rinse very
energetically.

3. After that, I heat them enough so that water evaporates quickly
(like in the oven at low temp).

4. Then I dunk them in oil or wipe oil on them or any other rust
preventative.

i