About Rust Stains

Rust stains can be difficult to remove. Whether they're on clothing, sinks, tubs or siding, there are many ways to try to remove them. You can get rust stains out with commercial cleaners, rust removers, homemade solutions and household items. Read labels and care guides on your rust-stained belongings before you try solutions, and test solutions on a small area to make sure they don't damage the objects.

Theories/Speculation

Many people wonder how rust stains got on surfaces in the first place. Rusty pipes can lead to rust stains on fabrics, but sometimes the cause is the use of chlorine bleach, which can leach iron out of water to form rust stains. Hanging damp clothing on a metal hanger can lead to rust stains on the fabric, or clothing hung on wet metal hangers could develop rust spots. Hard water can cause rust stains in sinks, tubs and toilets. Even a pair of scissors or can of shaving cream sitting on a wet counter can cause rust to form.

Prevention/Solution

Soak rust spots on white clothes with lemon juice and lay them in the sun for two hours. Wash as usual. Rust stains on colored clothing can be removed by a paste made of equal amounts of salt and cream of tartar mixed with hot water. Apply the paste to the stain and let it sit for 15 minutes. Wash the fabric as usual. CLR cleaner can remove rust stains on siding. Rust build-up on sinks can be removed by rubbing a paste made by mixing cream of tartar with hydrogen peroxide into the stain until it's gone. Zud, Bon Ami, 2000 Flushes or The Works toilet bowl cleaner can remove rust from sinks and bathtubs.

Size

Larger or deeper-set rust stains can be removed by boiling the fabric in a liquid solution made of 4 tsp. of cream of tartar and 2 1/2 cups of water. Rinse the fabric completely. Soaking the rust stains in a solution of Biz can also remove them. Commercial rust removers may be necessary for large rust stains that won't come out with other solutions. Oxalic acid might have to be used on stains that can't be removed any other way.

Time Frame

Sometimes rust stains disappear quickly when a solution is allowed to sit on the stain for a period of time, or the fabric with the solution sits in the sun. Apply a paste made of salt and white vinegar to the fabric. Let it set for 30 minutes and rinse with warm water. Sprinkle rust stains with salt. Rub the salted stain with a lemon wedge or lemon juice and put the fabric in the sun. Moisten the stain with lemon juice until the rust spot disappears and rinse the garment completely. Soak the rust stain with lemon juice and lay it in the sun for two hours. Wash the fabric as usual.

Warning

Always test commercial rust removers as well as homemade solutions on an inconspicuous area of a garment or an inside seam of delicate fabrics before using them on rust spots to be sure they won't damage the fabric. You can make a paste of Barkeeper's Friend and water to apply to rust stains for a few minutes, but don't use this on delicate fabrics. Wear gloves and use fans when using oxalic acid.

Resources

• Rust stain housekeeping and cleaning guides