If there’s one subject that shows up in my inbox more often than any other, it has to be rust. Ugly, orange-ish stains on tubs, showers, toilets, washing machines, sinks, and even stainless steel. One reader (who shall remain nameless, as I have hopelessly misplaced your message) wrote that tiny rust marks have appeared on his new stainless steel refrigerator. Sadly, the manufacturer considers this a cosmetic issue, so the warranty does not apply. So today, for my nameless friend, plus all others who’ve written about annoying rust problems in the kitchen and bathroom, I have a story followed by a very effective, if not exciting, solution. The year was 1882. The setting: Indianapolis. A chemist took a break from his scholarly endeavors to cook up a pan of rhubarb, that sour but hardy vegetable, common in the gardens of yore. After plating his recipe, the man found that his …